WO2022229710A1

WO2022229710A1 - Pyrolysis apparatus for producing wood vinegar, biogas and other by-products simultaneously

Info

Publication number: WO2022229710A1
Application number: PCT/IB2022/050570
Authority: WO
Inventors: Daryosh ASTARKI; Madjid GHODSI HASSANABAD; Chiyako AMANI; Manutshr MEHRI
Original assignee: Daryosh ASTARKI
Priority date: 2022-01-23
Filing date: 2022-01-23
Publication date: 2022-11-03

Abstract

The present invention relates to a pyrolysis apparatus and more particularly to a en-block structure pyrolysis apparatus which is portable and comprising a set of furnace in a main chamber.By converting the conventional apparatus into a compact and portable form, it is possible to use it wherever there is wood and agricultural wastes.

Description

Title of Invention : Pyrolysis apparatus for producing wood vinegar, biogas and other by-products simultaneously

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a pyrolysis apparatus and more particularly to a en-block structure pyrolysis apparatus which is portable and comprising a set of furnaces in a main chamber.

Background Art

[0002] Pyrolysis systems are known in the art. Pyrolysis technology is different from conventional incineration, because air or oxygen is not used in the pyrolysis conversion process. The pyrolysis reaction describes an endothermic reaction which absorbs or transfers heat to the biomass in the absence of the oxygen to produce biogas (also known as bio-energy) and char. Pyrolysis uses temperatures between 450-600° C to heat biomass quickly in the absence of air or oxygen. The process results some products such as bio-oil (pyrolysis oil), char, and non-condensing gases, which are combustible. Pyrolysis of biomass produces pressure that limits the size and processing capacity of the unit. The pyrolysis process can operate using a separate external energy source or a part of its generated gas to withstand the reaction. Such systems essentially consist of a reactor into which heat is applied to heat and converts a biomass present in the reactor into combustible biogas and other by-products. Most pyrolysis systems are very large, thereby requiring important investments to set them up. Finally, most systems are not adapted to function continuously.

Summary of Invention

[0003] The summary of disclosed invention is intended to provide an overview of the subject matter of the invention, and is not intended to identify essential elements or key elements of the subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to determine the scope of the claimed implementations.

[0004] This apparatus comprising a main structure which is divided into several separated units, in one of which, storage tanks, control systems and the cooling system are located and in each one of the remaining units is a furnace. There are some burners below each furnace which are connected to some liquid gas tank. Three of them generating heat at launching of apparatus. At the top of each furnace, there are two main exhaust lines. In the pyrolysis process, the pyrolysis gas goes to the condensers exhaust line, where part of it liquefies and turns into wood vinegar .The gases remaining in the condensers are stored in a pyrolysis gas storage tank. The gas stored in the pyrolysis tank will be transferred to some linear burners. A water-cooled condenser is a heat exchanger used in the to condense vapors from the pyrolysis process. Chilled water flows inside the condenser cooling pipes. The method of condensation is that the vapor from the pyrolysis process with high temperature, enters the condenser shell. Then, due to heat transfer with cold walls of pipes, its phase changes and transfers to liquid called wood vinegar. This liquid is dropped into a storage tank. The remaining gas is directed as a renewable and flammable gas to pyrolysis gas storage tank and is also used as fuel for the burner.

Technical Problem

[0005] Biomass plants are often enormous and complex systems with high launching and maintenance costs.

[0006] In order to convert wood and agricultural wastes into usable products, fixed plant are commonly used. For example fixed bed reactors are installed under the ground. One of the disadvantages of the common biomass plants are geographical and local restrictions of their use.

[0007] By converting the conventional apparatus into a mobile and portable form, it is possible to use it wherever there is wood and agricultural wastes; finally, within the apparatus disclosed in the present document, it is possible to use wood combustion products again to provide energy as a renewable source and reduce environmental pollution resulting from the burning of such products.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0008] The figures of the present document are intended to be illustrative, not limiting.

[0009] Fig.1 illustrates a perspective overview of the pyrolysis apparatus. [0010] Fig. 2 illustrates a schematic view of apparatus processes.

[0011] Fig.3 shows a two dimensional view of the pyrolysis apparatus.

[0012] Fig.4 shows a view of the apparatus in which the details and systems of cooling, condensing, etc. are specified.

[0013] Fig.5 shows the details inside each furnace.

[0014] Fig.6 shows the details of the cooling and fueling system to the burners.

[0015] Fig.7 shows the pyrolysis vapor condensing system to produce wood vinegar.

[0016] Fig.8 shows the two-dimensional view of the apparatus where the cooling system is displayed.

[0017] Fig.9 shows refueling of burners from pyrolysis gas storage tank and liquid gas tanks.

[0018] Fig.10 shows the control diagram of the pyrolysis apparatus.

Description of Embodiments

[0019] Burning wood waste and agricultural products traditionally releases carbon and pollutants into the environment. To solve this problem, in the present patent document, an apparatus(10) has been introduced that burns wood waste and reduces its volume. In addition this apparatus simultaneously produces three products: biogas, wood vinegar and other bio by-products.

[0020] These products play an important role in environmental protection and are needed in various sectors such as agriculture, industry, pharmaceuticals and medicine.

[0021] The apparatus(10) disclosed in the present document solves the problems in common machines and plants in this field, such as fixed or special emplacement for the equipment, the cost of transporting wood waste from different areas to the plant, high fuel consumption and high pollution caused by the common apparatus.

[0022] The apparatus (10) consists of a general and an en block structure as a large chamber(12), for example, a 40-foot container with a number of furnaces(14) installed inside the said chamber(12). The furnace(14) is used for heating and burning wood that can be selected from different common types. [0023] And each furnace(14) has a number of insulated sealed interior doors(16a) to access its inner part and placing wood waste. Some portable baskets(26) have been used to place wood waste or fragments interior of each furnace(14).

[0024] These equipment generally form a multi-capacity furnace(14). The material type of furnace(14) chamber(12) and its inner basket(26) are 310 refractory steel, but it is not limited to this material.

[0025] In one embodiment of the invention, the longitudinal dimension of the apparatus chamber (12) is divided into some (i.e. six) equal parts and forms separated units. In five of these units (14a -14e), furnaces (14) are installed and the last unit provides space for storage tanks controlling and condensing equipment.

[0026] In the space between each unit, thermal insulation layer(22)such as mineral wool with a certain thickness, for example 5 cm, has been used to reduce the rate of heat transfer and prevent smoke leakage to adjacent units and outside of the chamber(12).

[0027] As shown in Fig.4, there are six burner(20) below each furnace(14) which are connected to some liquid gas tank(42). Three of them(20) generating heat at launching of apparatus(10) and bring the wood waste to a temperature of more than 400° C.

[0028] At the top of each furnace(14), there are two main exhaust lines. The first exhaust line(44) is used for leading pyrolysis gas from inner chamber(13) and the second exhaust line (46) is used for taking away smoke from outer of inner chamber(13).

[0029] A vent pipe(62) is installed in the path of first exhaust line (44) for emergency purposes.

[0030] Two sub-lines(43 and 45) coming out of each furnace(14) are connected to the said main exhaust lines(44 and46). In other word, exhaust line (44) is intended for the exit of vapors from the pyrolysis process to the condenser(28) and exhaust line (46) is intended for the exit of smoke produced by the burner out of the apparatus(10). [0031] In the path of the main exhaust lines(44 and46), a one-way valve is installed to prevent the return of smoke and vapor from the pyrolysis process to the furnaces(14).

[0032] In the pyrolysis process, the pyrolysis gas goes to the condensers(28) exhaust line (44), where part of it liquefies and turns into wood vinegar (1).The gases remaining in the condensers(28) include ethane, methane, and propane, which are stored in a pyrolysis gas storage tank(40).

[0033] The gas stored in the pyrolysis tank (40)will be transferred to some linear burners(20) to provide the heat needed for the combustion process. In one embodiment it can fuel three burners(20).

[0034] A water-cooled condenser(28) is a heat exchanger and is used in the present invention to condense vapors from the pyrolysis process. Chilled water flows inside the condenser cooling pipes(34b) and it is supplied from the cooling tower or similar equipment.

[0035] In one embodiment of the invention, two condensers (28a and 28b)are used for the condensation process.

[0036] The condensers(28) are connected to the exhaust line number one(44), a pyrolysis gas storage tank(40), cooling system (32)and a wood vinegar storage tank (30).

[0037] As shown in Fig.5, the method of condensation is that the vapor(1) from the pyrolysis process with high temperature , enters the condenser shell. Then, due to heat transfer with cold walls of pipes (34b), its phase changes and transfers to liquid. The liquid obtained from this process is a dingy liquid called wood vinegar(2). This liquid is dropped into a storage tank(30) that is installed under the condenser. Wood vinegar storage tank(30) is completely sealed by suitable plumbing. A drain valve(31) is also provided for the tank(30) through which the liquid comes out.

[0038] Inside the condenser(28), the whole gas in the pyrolysis process doesn’t turn into liquid(1) and some part of it remains in gas form(i.e. ethane, methane, propane).The said remaining gas is directed as a renewable and flammable gas to pyrolysis gas storage tank (40) and is also used as fuel for the burners(20). [0039] As shown in Fig.2, in this document, at least two collectors (48) are used for refueling the burners (20) and generator(54). The apparatus (10) has a generator (54) that supplies power to the apparatus(10), eliminating the need to connect to the electric grid.

[0040] The collector (48a)is used for gas distribution from tank(40) and the other collector(48b) is used for gas tanks(42) .

[0041] Each collector (48) has one inlet and a number of outlets (for example five outlets).

[0042] At least one valve (50) is installed in the outlet paths, which is responsible for shutting off or allowing the gas flow.

[0043] In the path of the fuel pipes that connect the collectors (48) outlet to the burners (20), there is at least one solenoid valve (60) and gas regulator (61) to adjust the gas pressure.

[0044] Cooling system (32) is a cold water production cycle for condensers which includes the condenser coil cold water pipes(34b), a pump(36), and in some cases some fan(38).The cold water inside the pipes of this system is heated by heat transferring with hot pyrolysis gas and must be cooled again.

[0045] However, if the natural air flow is insufficient to chill the water, a forced convection system with several fans (38) is employed. The fans (38) are located above the cold water pipes (32a) and also under the canopy (24) and help to improve the quality of the cooling process.

[0046] Another necessary process in the introduced machine is the extraction of smoke from gas combustion. Smoke is present in the outer chambers of the furnace and should be directed to the outside of the apparatus chamber (12) by exhaust line (46). At least two smoke fans (18) are installed above the container to extract smoke. The sucked smoke passes through the pipe to the chimney (58) and exit. The smoke extraction fans (18) can be chosen from centrifugal and explosion-proof models.

[0047] In case of emergency and due to safety issues, an axial fan (56) is installed inside the control room for removing smoke and gas out of the container, in case smoke extraction fans (18) are out of order [0048] It should be noted that in the apparatus (10), two smoke fans (18) and two water pump (36) are used. In case of failure, the second device enters the circuit and the process cycle continues without defects and stops.

[0049] The chamber (12) or container is divided into separate units and in the space between each unit, insulation layers (22) with a certain thickness are placed. A separate furnace(14a-14e) and at least two separate doors (16a and 16b) are situated in each unit. Interior door(16a) and exterior doors (16b) increase the safety level of the apparatus (10). At least 6 burners are installed at the bottom of each furnace. Connecting pipes will link all of the said burners to the appropriate collector (48a or 48b) in the control unit. All furnaces (48) and burners (20) are connected to the chamber (12) via related connections, ensuring that they do not move during the displacement of apparatus. Also, all sheets and profiles of the furnace (48) are made of 310 refractory steel to be resistant to high temperature and corrosion. The both exhaust pipes (44 and 46) are linked to the chamber (12) and the separating part of the units by particular connectors and plumbing so that they do not move or causing a leak during transportation.

[0050] To ensure safety, all equipment, including the condenser, cooling pipes, wood vinegar storage tank, and gas storage tank, are securely connected to the device's body.

[0051] A number of safety locks(52) (for example, three) are provided for the furnace's door(16) to prevent the door (16)from exploding in critical situations of high pressure and temperature if the door hinges do not work properly.

[0052] Some spare equipment has also been anticipated such as the cold water circulation pump (36), smoke exhaust fan (18), and fan for emergency cooling(56) , so that the failure of each system does not cause any defects and stop in the operation of the system.

[0053] Condenser coil cold water pipe (34b) are made of such material as aluminum, alloy steel or composite to have a higher heat transfer rate with natural air flow and cool the water faster.

[0054] All type of wood forms is suitable for biomass pyrolysis in the apparatus and method disclosed in the present document. In the said apparatus Sawdust, wood chips, shells, crops and many more products transform into high-value resources. Advantageous Effects of Invention

By converting the conventional apparatus into a compact and portable form, it is possible to use it wherever there is wood and agricultural wastes. In other apparatus, due to the stability of the furnaces, wood waste had to be collected in other areas and transferred to the installation site of the apparatus, which did not need to be done using this apparatus which saves and reduces transportation costs.

As some other d pyrolysis apparatus, within the apparatus itself, it is possible to use wood combustion products again to provide energy as a renewable source and reduce environmental pollution resulting from the burning of such products.!

Claims

[Claim 1] Pyrolysis apparatus comprising: a main structure(12) as a large chamber which is divided into several separated units, in one of which, storage tanks (30, 40 and 42), control systems and part of the cooling system (32) are located and in each one of the remaining units is a furnace (14) for burning wood waste where in partition walls and related insulations (22) separate each unit from the other, some portable baskets(26) to place wood waste into the furnace(14), a number of burners (20) and related fuel and pyrolysis gas transmission systems, a set of fans for smoke suction and lowering the temperature of cooling system (32), a generator (54) to supply power for the components of the apparatus(10), a set of exhaust pipe (44) of pyrolysis gas which branches from the inner chamber(13), a set of exhaust pipes(46) that branches from the outer surface of the inner chamber(13) and transmits smoke to the environment, at least one condenser (28a) converting pyrolysis vapors (1) from pyrolysis exhaust pipes into wood vinegar (2), at least two collectors(48) for refueling the burners(20) and generator(54). a tank(30) in which wood vinegar(2) from condenser(28) operation is stored, a tank(40) in which part of the residual gas in the condenser(28) accumulates and is used again in burners(20) or generator(54), a cooling system (32) to reduce the water temperature of the wood pyrolysis gas condensing cycle, an electrical control unit.

[Claim 2] Wood pyrolysis apparatus of claiml , further comprising at least a canopy (24) for shielding external pipes to improve the quality of the cooling process.

[Claim 3] Wood pyrolysis apparatus of claiml , wherein a vent pipe(62) is installed in the path of first exhaust line (44) for emergency purposes.

[Claim 4] Wood pyrolysis apparatus of claiml , wherein the gases remaining in the condensers(28) include ethane, methane, and propane.

[Claim 5] Wood pyrolysis apparatus of claiml , wherein wood vinegar storage tank(30) is completely sealed by suitable plumbing.

[Claim 6] Wood pyrolysis apparatus of claiml , wherein a drain valve(31 ) is provided for the tank(30) through which the liquid comes out.

[Claim 7] Wood pyrolysis apparatus of claiml , wherein in the path of the fuel pipes, at least one solenoid valve (60) and one gas regulator (61) are used to adjust the gas pressure.

[Claim 8] Wood pyrolysis apparatus of claiml , wherein the cooling system (32) is a cold water production cycle for condensers which includes the condenser coil cold water pipes(34b), a pump(36) and some fans.

[Claim 9] Wood pyrolysis apparatus of claiml further comprising an axial fan (56) is installed inside the control room for removing smoke and gas out of the container, in case smoke extraction fans (18) are out of order.

[Claim 10] Wood pyrolysis apparatus of claiml , wherein at least 6 burners are installed at the bottom of each furnace.

[Claim 11] Wood pyrolysis apparatus of claiml , wherein the separated furnace has at least two separate doors (16a, 16b)which increase the safety level of the apparatus(10).

[Claim 12] Wood pyrolysis apparatus of claiml , wherein the main structure(12) is a 40-foot container.

[Claim 13] Wood pyrolysis apparatus of claiml , wherein each furnace(14) has a number of insulated sealed interior doors(16a) to access its inner part and placing wood waste.

[Claim 14] Wood pyrolysis apparatus of claiml , wherein some of the burners generates heat at launching of apparatus and bring the wood waste to a suitable temperature j