WO2007081114A1

WO2007081114A1 - Apparatus and method for treating high pressure and high temperature

Info

Publication number: WO2007081114A1
Application number: PCT/KR2007/000075
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ichero Kato; Yen Geun You; Sa Heon Yang
Original assignee: Eco Material Co., Ltd.; Remake Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2006-01-09
Filing date: 2007-01-05
Publication date: 2007-07-19
Also published as: KR100609316B1; KR20060008343A

Abstract

An apparatus for treating inflammable raw materials using a reaction generated at a high pressure and temperature comprises: a reactor with a double structure of an inner pressurized vessel and an outer pressurized vessel to partially or wholly enclose the inner vessel and to heat the inner vessel; at least one introduction section with air-tightness; at least one discharge section with air-tightness; a vapor supply section for increasing pressure and temperature by feeding vapor to the inner and the outer pressurized vessels; an agitation unit comprising an agitation shaft and a plurality of agitation blades; and a vapor discharge section decompressing and cooling the inner and outer pressurized vessels by discharging the vapor from the inner and outer pressurized vessels respectively or simultaneously.

Description

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR TREATING HIGH PRESSURE AND HIGH TEMPERATURE

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for treating a high pressure and a high temperature in which an inflammable material (organic waste, life waste, organic sludge, sewage sludge, livestock excretions, food waste, infectious waste, wasted plastic, wasted furniture, liquefied organic material, and wastewater) is treated in a high temperature and high pressure state of 200 to 275 degrees Celsius and 16 to 59 atm. Background Art

[2] Generally, a physical and chemical reaction applied when the inflammable material is treated uses pulverization, oxidation, and reduction etc. A treatment apparatus includes a shattering and pulverizing apparatus, an incineration apparatus, a carbonization apparatus, an anaerobic digestion apparatus, and an aerobic composting apparatus.

[3] However, the incineration and carbonization technology using external heating energy such as petroleum has a treatment period of one day but needs excessive apparatus and treatment costs, and a high repairing cost. Especially, in the case of incineration, an incinerated material or a contamination material such as dioxin is generated. Further, the aerobic composting technology using microorganisms without using external heating energy has the treatment period of three to six weeks and has low apparatus and treatment costs.

[4] Therefore, a need for a technology having apparatus and treatment costs lower than those of incineration and carbonization methods and having a treatment period shorter than that of the aerobic composting technology has been rising.

[5] Accordingly, as in Patent Document Nos. 6 and 7, a technology for treating the inflammable material in the reaction container by increasing the temperature and pressure in the reaction container to 200 to 275 degrees Celsius (if the reaction temperature deviates from the range, the amount of materials which are secondary environmental contamination sources of water pollution and air pollution is increased as the dehydration reaction due to thermal decomposition is not generated or the amount of gas generated by the thermal decomposition and the amount of water-soluble oil are increased) and 16 to 59 atm using external heating energy is at the initial stage entering into an industrialization step from a research center step.

[6] Namely, although a new high pressure and high temperature treating technology can be recognized and industrialized with a competitiveness in apparatus and treatment costs after the lifespan and safety are secured as compared with the other treatment methods, there is many problems to succeed in industrialization.

[7] The system in Patent Document No. 1 is adapted to reuse a waste material and the other general materials as a formation body in a high temperature and high pressure environment. However, since the system can supply vapor of a high temperature and a high pressure only to the interior of a reaction container, dew condensation of vapor can be generated in the reaction container. Further, the drying time is too long when a treated material is dried and the load of an agitation unit due to a screw type agitator is severe.

[8] The decomposition treatment method and apparatus in Patent Document No. 2 decompose a waste material which cannot be easily decomposed at a temperature of below a critical pressure using a hydrothermal reaction. However, the apparatus is complex because it is of a continuous type.

[9] Especially, the organic waste material treating method in Patent Document No. 3 is oxidizes the organic waste material in vapor of a high temperature and a high pressure set to below a critical pressure at a temperature above the supercritical temperature of water. However, in this method, since the set temperature is above 500 degrees Celsius and the set pressure is 5 to 22 MPa, the development of an apparatus enduring the condition is difficult and the cost is too high.

[10] The high pressure and high temperature treating apparatus in Patent Document No.

4 continuously treats an organic waste material in the supercritical or subcritical water state. However, since the treatment condition of the subcritical water suitable for oxidation decomposition is above 250 degrees Celsius and 5 to 10 Mpa, the development of an apparatus for continuously oxidizing the organic waste material under the condition is difficult and the cost is too high.

[11] Finally, the high temperature and high pressure treating apparatus in FIG. 5 is a batch one. In the apparatus, the treatment temperature is below 300 degrees Celsius and the treatment pressure is 1.4 to 5 MPa which is similar to those of the present invention. However, since the vapor of a high temperature and a high pressure is supplied only into the interior of the reaction container, condensation of the vapor is generated in the reaction container and the drying time is too long when the treated material is dried.

[12] As mentioned above, the conventional high temperature and high pressure treating technologies have following problems in the criteria for securing the lifespan and safety of the apparatus and having competitiveness in the apparatus and treatment costs.

[13] First, a material cannot be easily dried due to the condensation of vapor and the drying time is long.

[14] The interior of a reaction container is filled with a large amount of vapor of above

200 degrees Celsius. Then, if the outer portion of the reaction container is heat- insulated simply by an heat insulating material, the temperature deviation is severe and the condensation of the vapor is generated. Accordingly, since vapor is supplied to the material, the moisture to be evaporated when the material is dried increases, thereby extending the drying time and increasing the overall treatment capacity when the material is treated in a liquid state.

[15] Second, the time for pressurizing and heating the reaction container is long and the loss of energy during the treatment is large.

[16] When the temperature and pressure in a reaction container is increased to targeted temperature and pressure after the material is introduced into the reaction container, the heat loss should be minimized and the target temperature and pressure should be reached for a short time and be maintained for one to two hours, but the heating and pressurizing time is long due to the heat loss if the reaction container is heat-insulated simply by a heat insulation material.

[17] Third, it is important to have a competitiveness with a low manufacturing cost and to form a reaction container of a metal suitable for the safety, the durability, the corrosion-resistant property, and the wear-resistant property, but the material of the metal used in the reaction container is not suitable for it.

[ 18] Since the metal material of the reaction container has the thickness and property capable of enduring a high temperature and a high pressure when the reaction container has a capacity capable of treating a material of 3 m³ which can be commercially applied and at least 3 years of lifespan should be secured, it should be strong to corrosion in a high temperature and high pressure state and wear generated when the treated material is agitated, but the actual metal material does not have the thickness capable of enduring the pressure or it is difficult to practice the apparatus since the price of the metal material is too high.

[19] As an example, a stainless steel which is an excellent metal material strong to corrosion is widely circulated on the market. Especially, for experiments on a high pressure and high temperature treating technology, a small-sized reaction container using the stainless steel is used.

[20] However, in order to manufacture the stainless steel reaction container capable of enduring the high temperature and the high pressure, the thickness considering the safety factor is required. However, since iron works (e.g. POSCO) do not produce a stainless steel of such a thickness, the stainless steel reactor container cannot be manufactured, thereby making the apparatus industrialization impossible primarily. Further, even if the stainless steel of such a thickness is produced, it is too expensive that the apparatus cannot be sold, thereby making the apparatus industrialization impossible secondarily. However, since the stainless steel is easily extended by heat, the reaction container is mostly manufactured by steel plates which have low corrosion-resistant and wear-resistant properties as compared with stainless steels but are cheap and can be easily obtained and manufactured, it is so vulnerable to corrosion and wear to secure a long lifespan.

[21] Fourth, since the load of an agitation unit is increased by frequent forward and reverse rotations when the agitation unit is operated, the apparatus is apt to be out of order and needs much power.

[22] Since the conventional technologies perform agitation and feeding during the forward and reverse rotations in the same way when the material filled in a reaction container is agitated by an agitation unit, in the case of a viscous material, the load of the agitation unit is larger when the agitation unit peforms agitation and feeding simultaneously than when it performs only agitation. Further, the load of the agitation unit is increased additionally in the case in which the agitation unit performs frequent forward and reverse rotations during the treatment. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[23] Accordingly, the present invention has been developed in order to solve the above- mentioned problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and a method for treating a high pressure and a high temperature which can secure the lifespan and safety of the apparatus and can have a competitiveness in apparatus and treatment costs as compared with the other technologies.

[24] It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and a method for treating a high pressure and a high temperature which can agitate and discharge wasted materials which have been treated in the reaction container so as to eliminate dregs. Technical Solution

[25] In order to accomplish this object, there is provided a high pressure and high temperature treating apparatus for treating an inflammable material using a reaction generated at a high pressure and a high temperature, the apparatus comprising: a reaction container comprising at least one inner pressurized vessel into and from which a material is introduced and discharged and an outer pressurized vessel for surrounding the entire inner pressurized vessel or a portion of the inner pressurized vessel and pressurizing and heating the inner pressurized vessel; at least one introduction section providing a passage through which the material can be introduced into the inner pressurized vessel, the introduction section being capable of enduring the high pressure and the high temperature generated in the reaction container during the treatment and of being sealed; at least one discharge section providing a passage through which the material treated in the inner pressurized vessel can be discharged, the discharge section being capable of enduring the high pressure and the high temperature generated in the reaction container during the treatment and of being sealed; a vapor supply section pressurizing and heating the inner and outer pressurized vessels of the reaction container by supplying vapor to the inner and outer pressurized vessels respectively or simultaneously; an agitation unit comprising an agitation shaft both ends of which are rotatably engaged with the inner side of the reaction container and a plurality of agitation blades one end of which is fixed to the agitation shaft, the plurality of agitation blades agitating the material introduced into the inner pressurized vessel; and a vapor discharge section depressurizing and cooling the inner and outer pressurized vessels of the reaction container by discharging the vapor from the inner and outer pressurized vessels respectively or simultaneously.

[26] Due to the reaction container having the dual pressurizing and heating structure, the time for heating and pressurizing the material in the reaction container can be shortened by complexly heating the material due to the dual reaction container directly (supplying vapor into the inner pressurized vessel) or indirectly (transferring heat from the outer pressurized vessel to the inner pressurized vessel) when the inflammable material is treated. Further, the increase on the percentage of water content of the material is prevented by minimizing the loss of heat of the material during the treatment process with a maximized heat keeping function of indirect heating and reduing the condensate generated when the vapor is supplied, thereby continuously drying the material from the introduction step to the discharge step in the case in which the treated material is to be discharged in a dry state. Further, The present invention can have the most important element in practicing the high pressure and high temperature unit such as the improvement of the treatment capacity and the economical treatment cost by reducing the increase of the treatment capacity due to the condensate when the treated material is to be discharged in a liquid state, by shortening the entire treatment time, by reducing the loss of energy, and by optimizing the drying function.

[27] The agitation blade can use various shapes (for example, a screw type, a ribbon type, and a rotary type) according to the shape and property of the material. However, according to the characteristics of the agitation blade operated at a high temperature and a high pressure, the agitation blade can have one surface which is horizontal along the direction of the agitation shaft and the other surface which is inclined so that the agitation blade performs agitation if the agitation shaft is forwardly rotated toward the horizontal surface of the agitation blade and simultaneously performs agitation and feeding if the agitation shaft is reversely rotated toward the inclined surface of the agitation blade.

[28] Since the agitation unit is forwardly rotated to perform only the agitation before the discharge, the load of the agitation unit by frequent forward and reverse rotations is reduced so that much power cannot be needed. Further, since the material agitated and treated by reversely rotating the agitation unit can be smoothly fed to the discharge section by reversely rotating the agitation unit during the discharge, dregs of the treated material can be prevented from residing in the interior of the reaction container.

[29] The at least one discharge section can be installed at one portion of one side, both sides, and the center of the bottom of the reaction container.

[30] It is preferable that the reaction container is formed by bonding metals of at least two different materials so as to form multiple layers.

[31] Accordingly, since the reaction container is of a different kind multi-layer bonding metal formed by bonding a corrosion-resistant and wear-resistant stainless steel which is expensive and a deformation-resistant carbon steel which is cheap, the present invention provides the safety required for the pressurized vessel to the reaction container essential to the high pressure and high temperature treating unit and can manufacture the high pressure and high temperature treating apparatus having a lifespan of three to five years which is an important criteria for practicability.

[32] The present invention further comprises at least one depressurizing section (for example, a vacuum pump, a blower, and a jet inject etc.).

[33] Accordingly, the material can be dried in a shorter time with a lower energy cost than at the atmospheric pressure and the temperature of the vapor discharged from the inner pressurized vessel can be lowered by lowering the boiling temperature of the inflammable material in the inner pressurized vessel. Further, the erroneous operation and damage of the units for treating the vapor such as a filter, a second pressure control valve, a cooling unit, a heat exchanger, and deodorizing/sterilizing/purifying units can be prevented due to the vapor discharged in a high temperature state to enable manufacturing of the high pressure and high temperature treating apparatus capable of extending the lifespan thereof.

[34] The vapor supply section can comprise: at least one vapor supplying unit generating vapor; at least one first pressure control valve connected to the vapor generating unit to control the pressure of the vapor; and at least one dry vapor converting unit (a heating unit, a separating unit, and a heating and separating unit) converting the supplied vapor to dry vapor.

[35] Accordingly, the drying time can be shortened by supplying the dry vapor into the reaction container and reducing the amount of generated condensate as compared with the case of a saturated vapor state. Further, the increase of the treatment capacity can be reduced during the liquid treatment.

[36] The vapor discharge section can comprise: at least one filter filtering foreign substances contained in the vapor discharged from the inner and outer pressurized vessels of the reaction container; at least one second pressure control valve connected to the filter to control the pressures of the inner and outer pressurized vessels of the reaction container; and at least one safety unit (including a unit for protecting the reaction container from explosion and damage by exploding a portion of the reaction container in advance when the pressure is excessively increased by installing a safety unit or a unit which is weaker than the explosion and damage pressure of the reaction container so as to collect the discharged vapor separately or to safely treat the vapor by connecting the unit to the vapor discharge section) for discharging the vapor if an abnormality is generated in the inner and outer pressurized vessels of the reaction container.

[37] The vapor can be treated and discharged by installing a sterilizing unit, a platinum catalyst unit, a deodorizing unit, a purifying unit, a sterilizing and purifying unit including unit to which a heat exchanging system for transferring heat to a feeding screw, a storing hopper, a water tank of the vapor supply section in addition to a general heat exchanging unit, at the rear end of the vapor discharge section.

[38] Accordingly, the erroneous operation and damage of a second pressure control valve installed at the rear end, a cooling unit, a heat exchanger, deodorizing/ sterilizing/purifying units can be prevented and the lifespan of the reaction container can be prolonged by filtering foreign substances contained in the vapor discharged from the reaction container.

[39] The apparatus can further comprise at least one auxiliary introduction section installed in the reaction container to introduce an auxiliary additive (air which is heated or not heated, oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, acid clay, white clay, montmorillonite, kaolin, bentonite, etc.) for controlling the treatment reaction (oxidation, reduction, and thermal decomposition, etc.) of the material agitated in the inner pressurized vessel and the reaction speed. The auxiliary introduction section can be installed on the upper, lower, right, or left side of the reaction container.

[40] Accordingly, the treatment efficiency of the inflammable material can be improved.

[41] The apparatus can further comprises a vapor moving unit installed in the reaction container to move the vapor between the inner and outer pressurized vessels of the reaction container.

[42] Accordingly, the inner pressurized vessel can be heated without adding separate thermal energy by moving the vapor discharged from the inner pressurized vessel without discharging the vapor through the vapor discharge section during the de- pressurizing and cooling process. Further, the vapor of a high pressure and a high temperature in the inner pressurized vessel can be discharged through the vapor discharge section after the temperature and the pressure are reduced in the outer pressurized vessel first. Further, the vapor can be sent to the inner pressurized vessel through the outer pressurized vessel.

[43] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a high pressure and high temperature treating method for treating a material through a high pressure and high temperature treating apparatus including a reaction container comprising inner and outer pressurized vessels into and from which a material is introduced and discharged, an introduction section for introducing the material into the inner pressurized vessel, a discharge section for discharging the treated material from the inner pressurized vessel, a vapor supply section pressurizing and heating the inner and outer pressurized vessels of the reaction container by supplying vapor to the inner and outer pressurized vessels respectively or simultaneously, an agitation unit for agitating the material introduced into the inner pressurized vessel, and a vapor discharge section depressurizing and cooling the inner and outer pressurized vessels of the reaction container by discharging the vapor from the inner and outer pressurized vessels respectively or simultaneously, the method comprises: a preheating step in which the reaction container is preheated by supplying vapor to the outer pressurized vessel before or during the introduction of the material into the inner pressurized container while the agitation unit is being operated or not being operated; a pressurizing and heating step in which the pressure and the temperature of the inner pressurized vessel are increased by supplying vapor to the inner and outer pressurized vessels respectively or simultaneously or supplying the vapor only to the inner pressurized vessel while the agitation unit is being operated after the introduction of the material is completed; a temperature and pressure maintaining step in which the increased pressure and temperature in the inner pressurized vessel are maintained by supplying the vapor to the inner and outer pressurized vessels respectively or simultaneously or only to the inner pressurized vessel for 0.5 to 2 hours; a depressurizing and cooling step in which the pressure in the inner pressurized vessel is lowered to the atmospheric pressure by discharging the vapor in the inner pressurized vessel to discharge the material treated via the temperature and pressure maintaining step; and a discharging step in which the treated material is discharged by the discharge section after the depressurizing and cooling step.

[44] It is preferable that the pressure in the inner pressurized vessel is increased to 16 to

59 atm and the temperature therein is increased to 200 to 275 degrees Celsius, considering the safety. It is not only because a secondary environmental contamination caused such as generation of gas can be generated if the pressure exceeds 90 atm and the temperature exceeds 300 degrees Celsius but also because the high pressure and high temperature treating apparatus cannot be mechanically manufactured if the temperature exceeds 300 degrees Celsius. [45] The method can further comprise an auxiliary additive introducing step in which an auxiliary additive is introduced into the inner pressurized vessel. [46] The method can further comprise a depressurizing and drying step in which the pressure in the inner pressurized vessel is lowered to below the atmospheric pressure after the depressurizing and cooling step.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[47] The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: [48] FlG. 1 is a schematic view showing a high pressure and high temperature treating apparatus according to the present invention; [49] FlGs. 2 and 3 are schematic cross-sectional views showing different examples of a reaction container shown in FlG. 1 ;

[50] FlG. 4 is a partial perspective view showing an agitation unit shown in FlG. 1 ;

[51] FlG. 5 is a plan view taken from the direction A shown in FlG. 4;

[52] FlG. 6 is a flow chart showing a treatment process performed through the high pressure and high temperature treating apparatus according to the present invention; and [53] FlG. 7 is a schematic view showing the temperature and pressure conditions of inner and outer pressurized vessels of the reaction container in the treatment process shown in FlG. 6.

[54] * Detailed Description of the Numeral *

[55] 10: Reaction Container, 11: Inner Pressurized Vessel, 13: Outer Pressurized Vessel,

20: Introduction Section, 30: Discharge Section, 40: Vapor Supply Section, 50:

Agitation Blade, 60: Vapor Discharge Section, 80: Auxiliary Introduction Section, 90:

Vapor Movement Unit

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention [56] Hereinafter, a high pressure and high temperature treating apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. [57] FlG. 1 shows a high pressure and high temperature treating apparatus according to the present invention. As shown in FlG. 1, the apparatus according to the present invention includes a reaction container 10 including at least one inner pressurized vessel 11 for introducing an inflammable material (hereinafter, referred to as a material) and an outer pressurized vessel 13 surrounding the entire inner pressurized vessel 11 to pressurize and heat the inner pressurized vessel 11.

[58] The reaction container 10 is dually formed because the inner and outer pressurized vessels 11 and 13 can be complexly heated by directly supplying vapor to the inner pressurized vessel due to the dual reaction container and indirectly transferring heat from the outer pressurized vessel to the inner pressurized vessel during the treatment of the material.

[59] Therefore, the time for heating and pressurizing the material in the reaction container can be shortened. Further, the heat loss of the material during the treatment process with a heat keeping function of indirect heating and an increase of the percentage of water content of the material can be prevented by reducing the condensate generated when the vapor is supplied. Further, in the case in which the material is to be dried, the material can be continuously dried from the introduction step to the discharge step to shorten the entire treatment time, to reduce the loss of energy, and to maximize the drying function, It is important in practicing the high pressure and high temperature treating apparatus such as in improving the treatment capacity and reducing the treatment cost.

[60] In this case, the reaction container 10 is formed such that the outer pressurized vessel 13a surrounds the inner pressurized vessel 1 Ia so as to expose one side of the inner pressurized vessel 1 Ia. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the outer pressurized vessel 13b can surround the inner pressurized vessel 1 Ib so as to expose both sides of the inner pressurized vessel 1 Ib. Then, a separate heat keeping means 15a and 15b surrounding the reaction container 10 for keeping the temperature of the reaction container 10 can be provided at the outer periphery of the reaction container 10 exposed to the outside.

[61] In this way, as the outer pressurized vessel 13a and 13b exposes at least a portion of the inner pressurized vessel 11a and 1 Ib, the reaction container can be easily manufactured and the manufacturing cost can be lowered by shortening the manufacturing time.

[62] Further, as shown in FIG. 1, an introduction section 20 communicated with an upper portion of the inner pressurized vessel 11 provides a passage for introducing the material. It is preferable that the introduction section 20 can endure the high pressure and high temperature generated in the reaction container 10 during the treatment of the material and has a sealing property.

[63] Moreover, a discharge section 30 communicated with the bottom of the inner pressurized vessel 11 provides a passage for discharging the treated material. It is preferable that the discharge section 30 can endure the high pressure and high temperature generated in the reaction container and has a sealing property. Further, the reaction container is formed by bonding metals of two different materials so as to have multiple layers to improve the strength.

[64] The discharge section 30 can be installed at one portion of one side, both sides, and the center of the bottom of the inner pressurized vessel 11. The position of the discharge section 30 is has a close relation to the installation direction of an agitation blade 53 and the relationship will described when the constitution of the agitation blade 50 is explained.

[65] On the other hand, the vapor supply section 40 connected to one side of the reaction container 10 pressurizes and heats the inner and outer pressurized vessels 11 and 13 of the reaction container 10 by supplying vapor to the inner and outer pressurized vessels 11 and 13 respectively or simultaneously.

[66] A vapor supply section 40 can include at least one first pressure control valve 43 connected to the vapor supplying unit 41 to control the pressure of the vapor and a dry vapor converting unit 45 converting the saturated vapor generated by the vapor supplying unit 41 into a dry vapor state.

[67] Then, as the dry vapor is supplied into the inner pressurized vessel 11 through the dry vapor converting unit 45, the amount of the generated condensate is decreased as compared with the case in which the saturated vapor is supplied, thereby shortening the drying time when the material is dried.

[68] An agitation unit 50 is installed so as to penetrate the inner side of the reaction container 10 both to agitate the material so that the material introduced into the inner pressurized vessel 11 can be reacted and treated and to feed the treated material to the discharge section 30.

[69] The agitation unit 50 includes an agitation shaft 51 both ends of which rotatably penetrate the reaction container 10, and the agitation shaft 51 is forwardly or reversely rotated through a power source (not shown).

[70] The agitation unit 50 includes a plurality of agitation blades 53 fixed to the agitation shaft to agitate and feed the material introduced into the inner pressurized vessel 11. The agitation blade 53 includes a supporter 53a one end of which is fixed to the agitation shaft 51 and a fin 53b engaged with the supporter 53a.

[71] FlG. 4 is a partial perspective view showing the agitation unit shown in FlG. 1.

FlG. 5 is a plan view taken from the direction A in FlG. 4.

[72] One surface of the pin 53a of the agitation blade 53 is a plane P along the direction of the agitation shaft 51 and the other surface thereof is an inclined surface S. Accordingly, as shown in FlG. 5, when the agitation shaft 51 is rotated in the side direction B of the agitation blade, the plane P pushes the material in the rotational direction to perform agitation. Further, when the agitation shaft 51 is rotated in the side direction C of the inclined surface S of the pin 53b, the material is both agitated and fed to the inclination direction D of the inclined surface. [73] Then, in the case in which the discharge section 30 is located substantially at the center as shown in FlG. 1, the plurality of pins 53b are disposed in the direction in which the inclined surfaces S are opposite to each other toward the discharge section 30 about the discharge section 30. Further, in the case in which the discharge section 30 is located on one side or both sides, the inclined surfaces of the agitation blades faces the discharge section. Accordingly, the treated material can be fed toward the discharge section 30.

[74] On the other hand, the vapor discharge section 60 disposed on the other side of the reaction container 10 depressurizes and cools the inner and outer pressurized vessels 11 and 13 of the reaction container 10 by discharging the vapor respectively or simultaneously.

[75] The vapor discharge section 60 includes at least one filter 61 filtering foreign substances contained in the vapor discharged from the inner and outer pressurized vessels 11 and 13 of the reaction container, at least one second pressure control valve 63 connected to the filter 61 to regulate the pressures of the inner and outer pressurized vessels 11 and 13 of the reaction container, and at least one depressurizing section 65 for depressurizing the pressure in the inner pressurized vessel 11 of the reaction container to below the atmospheric pressure.

[76] Further, safety units 71 and 72 installed in the inner and outer pressurized vessels

11 and 13 can prevent explosion or damage of the inner and outer pressurized vessels 11 and 13 due to a high pressure by discharging vapor when an abnormality is generated in the inner and outer pressurized vessels 11 and 13 of the reaction container.

[77] Further, an auxiliary introduction section 80 communicated with an upper portion of the inner pressurized vessel 11 of the reaction container 10 provides at least one passage for introducing an auxiliary additive for improving the reaction speed of the material agitated in the inner pressurized vessel 11. Although the position of the auxiliary introduction section is located at the upper portion of the inner pressurized vessel 11 in the preferred embodiment, the set position is not limited thereto but it can be installed at a lower portion or a side portion of the inner pressurized vessel 11.

[78] The auxiliary additive includes air which is heated or not heated, oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, acid clay, white clay, montmorillonite, kaolin, bentonite. One or at least two of or a combination of two of the auxiliary additives can be used at least once.

[79] A vapor movement unit 90 connecting the inner and outer pressurized vessels 11 and 13 of the reaction container is used to move the vapor in the inner and outer pressurized vessels 11 and 13. For example, a valve can be applied to the vapor movement unit 90. [80] The vapor movement unit 90 is installed to heat the inner pressurized vessel 11 without adding separate thermal energy by moving the vapor discharged from the inner pressurizd vessel 11 without discharging the vapor through the vapor discharge section 60 during the depressurizing and cooling process, to discharge the vapor of a high pressure and a high temperature in the inner pressurized vessel 11 through the vapor discharge section 60 after the temperature and the pressure are reduced in the outer pressurized vessel 13 first, or to send the vapor to the inner pressurized vessel 11 through the outer pressurized vessel 13.

[81] The process of treating the material using the treatment apparatus according to the present invention is as follows.

[82] FlG. 6 is a flow chart showing a treatment process performed through the high pressure and high temperature treating apparatus according to the present invention. FlG. 7 is a schematic view showing the temperature and pressure conditions of the inner and outer pressurized vessels 13 of the reaction container in the treatment process shown in FlG. 6.

[83] First, as shown in FlG. 6, the reaction container is preheated by supplying vapor into the outer pressurized vessel 13 before or during the introduction of the material to the inner pressurized vessel 11 of the reaction container 10 through the introduction section 80 while the agitation unit 50 is being operated or not being operated (Sl).

[84] After the introduction of the material is completed, the introduction section 80 is closed and the inner pressurized vessel is pressurized and heated by supplying vapor to the inner and outer pressurized vessels 11 and 13 respectively or simultaneously or by supplying vapor only to the inner pressurized vessel for the treatment while operating the agitation unit 50 through a power source (not shown) (S2).

[85] It is preferable that the pressure in the inner pressurized vessel 11 is increased to 16 to 59 atm and the temperature therin is increased to 200 to 275 degrees Celsius, considering the safety. It is not only because a secondary environmental contamination caused such as generation of gas can be generated if the pressure exceeds 90 atm and the temperature exceeds 300 degrees Celsius but also because the high pressure and high temperature treating apparatus cannot be mechanically manufactured if the temperature exceeds 300 degrees Celsius.

[86] In this case, the agitation unit 50 is rotated only in one direction and performs only agitation by the plurality of agitation blades 53.

[87] Thereafter, the increased pressure and temperature in the inner pressurized vessel is maintained by supplying the vapor to the inner and outer pressurized vessels respectively or simultaneously or only to the inner pressurized vessel for 0.5 to 2 hours to treat the reaction of the material (S3).

[88] The inner pressurized vessel 11 is depressurized and cooled until the pressure in the inner pressurized vessel 11 is lowered to the atmospheric pressure through the vapor discharge section 60 by discharging the vapor in the inner pressurized vessel 11 to discharge the material treated through the pressure and temperature maintaining step.

[89] Thereafter, the material treated by reversely rotating the agitation unit 50 is discharged outside the inner pressurized vessel 11 through the opened discharge section 30 by feeding the material to the discharge section 30 while agitating the material.

[90] Before or after the pressurizing and heating step, the pressure in the inner pressurized vessel 11 can be lowered to below the atmospheric pressure and heat can be transferred through the outer pressurized vessel to perform a depressurizing and drying process, thereby reducing the drying time and the consumption of thermal energy and thus shortening the entire treatment time.

[91] After the pressurizing and heating step, the auxiliary additive can be introduced into the inner pressurized vessel 11 through the auxiliary introduction section 80 to expedite the reaction, thereby shortening the entire treatment time. Industrial Applicability

[92] The effects of the present invention are as follows.

[93] (1) Due to the reaction container having the dual pressurizing and heating structure, the time for heating and pressurizing the material in the reaction container can be shortened by complexly heating the material due to the dual reaction container directly (supplying vapor into the inner pressurized vessel) or indirectly (transferring heat from the outer pressurized vessel to the inner pressurized vessel) when the inflammable material is treated. Further, the increase on the percentage of water content of the material is prevented by minimizing the loss of heat of the material during the treatment process with a maximized heat keeping function of indirect heating and reducing the condensate generated when the vapor is supplied, thereby continuously drying the material from the introduction step to the discharge step in the case in which the treated material is to be discharged in a dry state. Further, The present invention can have the most important element in practicing the high pressure and high temperature unit such as teh improvement of the treatment capacity and the economical treatment cost by reducing the increase of the treatment capacity due to the condensate when the treated material is to be discharged in a liquid state, by shortening the entire treatment time, by reducing the loss of energy, and by optimizing the drying function.

[94] (2) Due to the agitation unit capable of performing treatment-agitation and discharge-agitation and feeding, since the agitation unit is forwardly rotated to perform only the agitation before the discharge, the load of the agitation unit by frequent forward and reverse rotations is reduced so that much power cannot be needed. Further, since the material agitated and treated by reversely rotating the agitation unit can be smoothly fed to the discharge section by reversely rotating the agitation unit during the discharge, dregs of the treated material can be prevented from residing in the interior of the reaction container.

[95] (3) Due to the reaction container of the different kind multi-layer bonding metal material, since the reaction container is of a different kind multi-layer bonding metal formed by bonding a corrosion-resistant and wear-resistant stainless steel which is expensive and a deformation-resistant carbon steel which is cheap, the present invention provides the safety required for the pressurized vessel to the reaction container essential to the high pressure and high temperature treating unit and can manufacture the high pressure and high temperature treating apparatus having a lifespan of three to five years which is an important criteria for practicability.

[96] (4) Due to the depressurizing section of the vapor discharge section, the material can be dried in a shorter time with a lower energy cost than at the atmospheric pressure and the temperature of the vapor discharged from the inner pressurized vessel can be lowered by lowering the boiling temperature of the inflammable material in the inner pressurized vessel. Further, the erroneous operation and damage of the units for treating the vapor such as a filter, a second pressure control valve, a cooling unit, a heat exchanger, and deodorizing/sterilizing/purifying units can be prevented due to the vapor discharged in a high temperature state to enable manufacturing of the high pressure and high temperature treating apparatus capable of extending the lifespan thereof.

[97] (5) Due to the dry vapor converting unit of the vapor discharge section, the drying time can be shortened by supplying the dry vapor into the reaction container and reducing the amount of generated condensate as compared with the case of a saturated vapor state. Further, the increase of the treatment capacity can be reduced during the liquid treatment.

[98] (6) Due to the filter of the vapor discharge section, the erroneous operation and damage of a second pressure control valve installed at the rear end, a cooling unit, a heat exchanger, deodorizing/sterilizing/purifying units can be prevented and the lifespan of the reaction container can be prolonged by filtering foreign substances contained in the vapor discharged from the reaction container.

[99] (7) Due to the auxiliary additive introduction unit, the treatment efficiency of the inflammable material can be improved.

[100] (8) Due to the vapor movement unit, the inner pressurized vessel can be heated without adding separate thermal energy by moving the vapor discharged from the inner pressurized vessel without discharging the vapor through the vapor discharge section during the depressurizing and cooling process. Further, the vapor of a high pressure and a high temperature in the inner pressurized vessel can be discharged through the vapor discharge section after the temperature and the pressure are reduced in the outer pressurized vessel first. Further, the vapor can be sent to the inner pressurized vessel through the outer pressurized vessel.

[101] (9) Due to the preheating step of the high pressure and high temperature treating method, the treatment time can be shortened by introducing and heating the inflammable material simultaneously.

[102] While a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

Claims

[1] A high pressure and high temperature treating apparatus for treating an inflammable material using a reaction generated at a high pressure and a high temperature, the apparatus comprising: a reaction container comprising at least one inner pressurized vessel into and from which a material is introduced and discharged and an outer pressurized vessel for surrounding the entire inner pressurized vessel or a portion of the inner pressurized vessel and pressurizing and heating the inner pressurized vessel; at least one introduction section providing a passage through which the material can be introduced into the inner pressurized vessel, the introduction section being capable of enduring the high pressure and the high temperature generated in the reaction container during the treatment and of being sealed; at least one discharge section providing a passage through which the material treated in the inner pressurized vessel can be discharged, the discharge section being capable of enduring the high pressure and the high temperature generated in the reaction container during the treatment and of being sealed; a vapor supply section pressurizing and heating the inner and outer pressurized vessels of the reaction container by supplying vapor to the inner and outer pressurized vessels respectively or simultaneously; an agitation unit comprising an agitation shaft both ends of which are rotatably engaged with the inner side of the reaction container and a plurality of agitation blades one end of which is fixed to the agitation shaft, the plurality of agitation blades agitating the material introduced into the inner pressurized vessel; and a vapor discharge section depressurizing and cooling the inner and outer pressurized vessels of the reaction container by discharging the vapor from the inner and outer pressurized vessels respectively or simultaneously.

[2] An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the other end of the agitation blade has one surface which is horizontal along the direction of the agitation shaft and the other surface which is inclined so that the agitation blade performs agitation if the agitation shaft is forwardly rotated toward the horizontal surface of the agitation blade and simultaneously performs agitation and feeding if the agitation shaft is reversely rotated toward the inclined surface of the agitation blade.

[3] An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one discharge section is installed at one portion of one side, both sides, and the center of the bottom of the reaction container.

[4] An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reaction container is formed by bonding metals of at least two different materials so as to form multiple layers.

[5] An apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the vapor supply section comprises: at least one vapor supplying unit generating vapor; at least one first pressure control valve connected to the vapor generating unit to control the pressure of the vapor; and at least one dry vapor converting unit converting the supplied vapor to dry vapor.

[6] An apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the vapor discharge section comprises: at least one filter filtering foreign substances contained in the vapor discharged from the inner and outer pressurized vessels of the reaction container; at least one second pressure control valve connected to the filter to control the pressures of the inner and outer pressurized vessels of the reaction container; and at least one depressurization section for depressurizing the pressure in the inner pressurized vessel of the reaction container to below the atmospheric pressure.

[7] An apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising: at least one safety unit for discharging the vapor if an abnormality is generated in the inner and outer pressurized vessels of the reaction container.

[8] An apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising: at least one auxiliary introduction section installed in the reaction container to introduce an auxiliary additive to the material treated in the inner pressurized vessel.

[9] An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the auxiliary additive is one of or at least two of or a combination of at least two of air which is heated or not heated, oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, acid clay, white clay, montmorillonite, kaolin, bentonite.

[10] An apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising: a vapor moving unit installed in the reaction container to move the vapor between the inner and outer pressurized vessels of the reaction container.

[11] An apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 4, the pressure and the temperature of the inner pressurized vessel is higher than or equal to the pressure and the temperature of the outer pressurized vessel.

[12] A high pressure and high temperature treating method for treating a material through a high pressure and high temperature treating apparatus including a reaction container comprising inner and outer pressurized vessels into and from which a material is introduced and discharged, an introduction section for introducing the material into the inner pressurized vessel, a discharge section for discharging the treated material from the inner pressurized vessel, a vapor supply section pressurizing and heating the inner and outer pressurized vessels of the reaction container by supplying vapor to the inner and outer pressurized vessels respectively or simultaneously, an agitation unit for agitating the material introduced into the inner pressurized vessel, and a vapor discharge section de- pressurizing and cooling the inner and outer pressurized vessels of the reaction container by discharging the vapor from the inner and outer pressurized vessels respectively or simultaneously, the method comprises: a preheating step in which the reaction container is preheated by supplying vapor to the outer pressurized vessel before or during the introduction of the material into the inner pressurized container while the agitation unit is being operated or not being operated; a pressurizing and heating step in which the pressure and the temperature of the inner pressurized vessel are increased by supplying vapor to the inner and outer pressurized vessels respectively or simultaneously or supplying the vapor only to the inner pressurized vessel while the agitation unit is being operated after the introduction of the material is completed; a temperature and pressure maintaining step in which the increased pressure and temperature in the inner pressurized vessel are maintained by supplying the vapor to the inner and outer pressurized vessels respectively or simultaneously or only to the inner pressurized vessel for 0.5 to 2 hours; a depressurizing and cooling step in which the pressure in the inner pressurized vessel is lowered to the atmospheric pressure by discharging the vapor in the inner pressurized vessel to discharge the material treated via the temperature and pressure maintaining step; and a discharging step in which the treated material is discharged by the discharge section after the depressurizing and cooling step.

[13] A method according to claim 12, further comprising an auxiliary additive introducing step in which an auxiliary additive is introduced into the inner pressurized vessel.

[14] A method according to claim 12, further comprising a depressurizing and drying step in which the pressure in the inner pressurized vessel is lowered to below the atmospheric pressure after the depressurizing and cooling step.

[15] A method according to claim 12, further comprising a depressurizing and drying step in which the pressure in the inner pressurized vessel is lowered to below the atmospheric pressure before the depressurizing and coling step.