Biomass fermentation heating system

Abstract

The invention relates to a biomass fermentation heating device, the device comprising a tank (2) and a pipe (12) in which a fluid to be heated is intended to flow, the pipe being arranged so as to circulate at least partly in the tank so as, in service, to be surrounded by biomass arranged in the tank, the device comprising pipe support elements (15) which pass through the tank and protrude from the tank.

Description

State of the art

[0001] Interest in biomass has intensified in recent years due to the multiple economic and ecological opportunities it offers.

[0002] For example, the conversion of biomass such as organic waste allows the production of fuel for cars, the production of heat for heating a passenger compartment, or the production of fertilizer for agriculture.

[0003] Document DE 3905158 A1 discloses a biomass fermentation heating device. Object of the invention

[0004] One aim of the invention is to provide a biomass fermentation heating device that is of simplified construction. Description of the invention

[0005] For this purpose, according to the invention, a biomass fermentation heating device is provided, the device comprising a tank and a pipe in which a fluid to be heated is intended to flow, the pipe being arranged so as to circulate at least partly in the tank so that, in service, it is surrounded by biomass arranged in the tank, the device comprising pipe support elements which pass through the tank and protrude from the tank.

[0006] In this way, it is simply a matter of arranging the pipe in the container so that it rests on the support elements and then filling the container to cover the pipe with biomass.

[0007] The invention therefore proves to be simple to construct and to set up.

[0008] In addition, by using the support elements, vibrations can be caused in the biomass (by moving the support elements relative to the tank from the outside) which advantageously allows the biomass to fall well to the bottom of the tank in order to properly surround the biomass channel.

[0009] In this way, efficient heating of the fluid circulating in the pipe is ensured.

[0010] The inventor was thus able to develop a device that heats water circulating in the pipe to 75 degrees Celsius simply through the fermentation of biomass. This device also allows the biomass to be changed only approximately every two months.

[0011] In the invention, the support elements thus have a dual role of supporting the pipeline and helping to ensure the proper distribution of biomass in the tank.

[0012] Of course, in this application the terms "high", "low", "upper", "lower" ... must be understood according to the position in service of the device, that is to say when the container rests on the ground.

[0013] In a particular way, the container extends horizontally.

[0014] In particular, the container is generally parallelepiped in shape.

[0015] In particular, the tray has ventilation holes.

[0016] In particular, at least part of the tank is made of bricks.

[0017] In particular, the bricks are Compressed Earth Bricks.

[0018] In a particular way, the container has feet.

[0019] In particular, at least part of the bottom of the tank is movable relative to the rest of the tank.

[0020] In particular, the support elements include rods.

[0021] In particular, the rods are made of metallic material.

[0022] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a particular, non-limiting embodiment of the invention. Brief description of the figures

[0023] Reference will be made to the attached figures, including: there figure 1 is a front view of a device according to a particular embodiment of the invention, the figure 2 is a top view of part of the device illustrated in the figure 1 . Detailed description of the invention

[0024] With reference to the various figures, the biomass fermentation heating device according to the particular embodiment of the invention, generally designated as 1, comprises a tank 2. The tank 2 is arranged here so as to extend horizontally relative to the ground on which the tank 2 rests. The tank 2 thus extends along an axis X.

[0025] The tank 2 is generally parallelepiped in shape (so that here its length extends along the X axis). The tank 2 has a base 3 and four walls extending from the base towards the sky, including two longitudinal walls 5, 6 parallel to each other (which therefore extend along the X axis) and two lateral walls 7, 8 parallel to each other and perpendicular to the longitudinal walls (the lateral walls 7, 8 therefore extending along a Y axis orthogonal to the X axis).

[0026] Each of the different walls has 9 ventilation holes (only some of which are referenced here) which promote ventilation inside the tank 2.

[0027] These ventilation holes 9 are provided at regular intervals on the different walls. The various ventilation holes 9 are arranged in the walls so as to form parallel lines on each wall and at the same level on all four walls. For the longitudinal walls 5, 6, the different lines therefore extend along the X-axis, and for the lateral walls 7, 8, the different lines extend along the Y-axis.

[0028] In particular, the walls of tank 2 are constructed from bricks which are deliberately spaced during the construction of tank 2 to naturally form the aforementioned ventilation holes 9. The bricks are for example Compressed Earth Bricks (also called BTC).

[0029] Device 1 here includes a lid (not shown here), independent of the bin 2, and shaped to be able to rest on the four walls of the bin 2 in order to close said bin 2.

[0030] The container 2 has a special feature: feet 10 so that it can rest on the ground at the level of its feet 10.

[0031] Preferably, at least part of the bottom of tank 2 is movable relative to the walls. For example, part of the bottom of tank 2 is mounted to slide along the rest of tank 2 in a translational movement about the X-axis.

[0032] This allows the bin 2 to be emptied easily from the bottom.

[0033] The device 1 further includes pipes 12 arranged in the container 2 such that an inlet and an outlet of each pipe 12 extend outside the container 2. Apart from its inlet and outlet, each pipe 12 extends entirely within the container 2. Each pipe 12 is arranged so that its inlet and outlet extend along the X-axis of the container 2. Each pipe 12 also extends into the container 2 such that an inlet of the pipe 12 enters the container 2 lower than the outlet of said pipe 12.

[0034] Device 1, for example, includes three pipes 12.

[0035] According to a particular embodiment, each pipe 12 is identical. Each pipe 12 is here formed into a serpentine shape to facilitate the exchange of a fluid circulating in the pipe 12 with the outside.

[0036] Specifically, each pipe 12 is flat but arranged transversely in the tank 2 so that the inlet and outlet of pipe 12 are not at the same level (in terms of height along a Z-axis orthogonal to the X and Y axes). Alternatively, the coil itself is shaped so that the inlet and outlet of pipe 12 are not at the same level (for example, the coil forms a step between the inlet and outlet of pipe 12).

[0037] The three inlets of the pipes are connected upstream of tank 2 to a common inlet channel 13. The three outlets of the pipes 12 are also connected downstream of the tank to a common outlet channel 14.

[0038] Furthermore, device 1 includes support elements for the various pipes 12. These support elements pass through and extend beyond the edge of the container 2, and the pipes 12 simply rest upon these support elements. In this way, the installation of the pipes 12 in the container 2 is quick and easy.

[0039] The support elements here are rods 15 (only some of which are referenced). These rods 15 are made of metallic material, for example steel.

[0040] Each rod 15 is arranged so as to extend through the tray 2 and to protrude at each of its ends out of the tray 2 through ventilation holes 9 in the walls. In particular, each rod 15 extends between the two longitudinal walls 5, 6.

[0041] Preferably, each rod 15 extends transversely to the X axis in the tray 2. However, here each rod 15 extends in a plane parallel to the X and Y axes. Each rod 15 therefore extends between two lines of ventilation holes 9, lines opposite each other on the longitudinal walls 5, 6.

[0042] In particular, at each plane defined by two lines of ventilation holes 9 facing each other on the longitudinal walls 5, 6, different rods 15 are arranged to form a support network for the pipes 12. Preferably, on the same level, the rods 15 are arranged so as to form together a zigzag extending over the entire surface of the tank 2. In this way, two ends of two different rods 15 (forming two consecutive lines of the zigzag) emerge from the tank 2 through the same ventilation hole 9.

[0043] Preferably, each rod 15 is positioned between two ventilation holes 9 without being fixed to the tray 2. In this way, each rod 15 can easily move relative to the ventilation holes 9 between which it extends. Furthermore, each rod 15 can be easily removed, which is convenient for removing and / or arranging the pipes 12 resting on said rods 15.

[0044] In particular, device 1 also includes a fluid storage tank 16. Tank 16 is located near tank 2. Here, tank 16 is shaped like a cylinder resting on the ground. Tank 16 is a water tank, and the fluid circulating in device 1 is therefore water to be heated.

[0045] The inlet channel 13 opens into the tank 16 at the lower part of the tank 16. As for the outlet channel 14, it opens into the tank 16 at the upper part of the tank 16. The tank 16 also includes, at its lower part, means for draining the tank 16 to extract the hot water from said tank 16.

[0046] Device 1 also includes a pipe 18 intended to be connected to a cold water supply. This pipe 18 is connected to the inlet channel 13, for example, by means of a non-return valve 19 in order to prevent water flowing in the inlet channel 13 from entering said pipe 18.

[0047] Device 1 further includes a pump 20 associated with the inlet channel 13 to ensure the circulation of water in device 1.

[0048] Preferably, device 1 includes means for controlling device 1. Said means here include a controller (not shown here) controlling the pump 20 using temperature probes of said means, for example using a first probe 21 measuring the temperature in the reservoir 16 and using a second probe 22 measuring the temperature at the outlet channel 14.

[0049] Preferably, the control means are arranged so as to ensure that the water in the tank 16 is at the same temperature as the water flowing in the pipes 12.

[0050] The implementation of device 1 will now be described.

[0051] First, remove the lid.

[0052] A layer of organic matter, such as straw, is placed at the bottom of container 2.

[0053] Then a layer of biomass is placed in the bottom of bin 2. Preferably, this biomass is manure, but any other material that generates heat during fermentation, such as compost or other organic waste, can be chosen.

[0054] Advantageously, the various rods 15 can be agitated around the corresponding ventilation holes 9 to ensure that the biomass falls to the bottom of the device 1 in order to properly surround all the pipes 12. This also helps to compact the biomass and further improve the coverage of the pipes 12. We therefore note the role of both supporting and helping to organize the biomass in the tray 2 of the support elements.

[0055] The lower layer of biomass, for example, is about 20 centimeters thick.

[0056] Then the pipes 12 are arranged and the bin 2 is finished being filled with biomass. Bin 2 thus contains a succession of layers of biomass and pipes. In particular, bin 2 contains a lower layer of biomass covering the straw so that the pipes 12 do not touch the straw, and an upper layer of biomass completely covering the pipes 12, which are therefore not in contact with the open air.

[0057] The 12 pipes are therefore buried in the biomass.

[0058] Preferably, the top of the biomass is then covered with another layer of organic matter, such as straw. This effectively isolates the biomass and pipes 12 from the outside air.

[0059] Then the bin 2 is closed with the lid. In particular, a gap remains between the layer of straw and the lid to allow ventilation in bin 2. Preferably, a row of ventilation holes 9 on each wall is located at this gap.

[0060] Device 1 is then ready to operate.

[0061] The control means then open a water inlet valve which then circulates in pipes 12, outlet channel 14 before arriving in reservoir 16. The heat exchanges within tank 2 between the water and the biomass allow hot water to be recovered at the outlet channel 14 to fill reservoir 16.

[0062] Once the tank 16 is filled with hot water, the control means close the water inlet valve and allow water to circulate in the device 1 in a loop (tank 16, inlet channel 13, pipes 12, outlet channel 14, tank 16) until the water in tank 16 reaches the target temperature. The control means then stop the pump 20 until it is necessary to reheat the water in tank 16 and thus cause the water to circulate in the device 1 again.

[0063] Device 1 thus allows for the rapid and efficient heating of water, even though it has a very simple structure. It is therefore possible to heat water up to 60 or 70 degrees Celsius, or even up to 75 degrees Celsius.

[0064] When it becomes necessary to change the biomass in tank 2 because fermentation is no longer sufficient for the intended heating, simply slide the bottom of the tank to remove the biomass from the bottom of tank 2. Advantageously, the support elements further facilitate the removal of the biomass by vibrating said support elements.

[0065] All that remains is to replace the base and then refill bin 2 as described previously using fresher biomass.

[0066] Advantageously, the removed biomass can still be used for other applications, such as being used as fertilizer in agriculture.

[0067] Device 1, as described above, therefore offers numerous advantages, including: Device 1 allows a fluid to be heated using clean energy; the heating of the fluid can take place near the place where the fluid is intended to be used; the biomass used is valorized; moreover, in the case of manure and / or compost, it is still possible to valorize the manure and / or compost afterwards by using it as fertilizer for agriculture; device 1 is easy to implement; device 1 is accessible to all; device 1 is inexpensive; device 1 emits little or no CO2, which confirms its ecological interest.

[0068] Device 1 can also be used for numerous applications. The fluid heated by device 1 can thus be used in fields as diverse as domestic (homes, offices, public places, etc.), agricultural, or industrial (for preheating purposes, for example).

[0069] In the domestic sphere, the fluid heated by device 1 can be used for everyday needs (showering, heating, coils, radiators, hot air, etc.). In agriculture, the fluid heated by device 1 can be used, for example, to heat greenhouses for optimal or early production of certain fruits and vegetables. It is also possible to heat the floors of agricultural buildings to mitigate significant temperature fluctuations between night and day. In industry, the heated fluid can lead to substantial energy savings. Applications are diverse and include hot water systems in food processing, sequential production, tank cleaning, boiler preheating, storage areas, warehouses, industrial buildings, and more.

[0070] Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiment described but encompasses any variant falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

[0071] For example, although the container of the device is arranged horizontally here, it could also be arranged vertically. The container could have a different shape than the one described, for example, a cylindrical shape.

[0072] The number of pipes may differ from what has been indicated. Furthermore, each pipe may be shaped and arranged differently within the tank. Thus, although here the pipes extend into the tank so that their inlets and outlets are aligned with the tank's dimensions, the pipe(s) may extend differently relative to the direction of the tank. The pipe(s) may be arranged so that an inlet and outlet of the same pipe are located at the same height within the tank.

[0073] The device may not include a lid. Alternatively, the container itself may include a lid, for example, one that pivots or slides onto the rest of the container to provide access to the inside. The support elements may differ from those described and may include, for example, bars with handles extending from both ends of the container to facilitate handling.

Claims

1. A heater device for heating by fermenting biomass, the device comprising a vessel (2) and a pipe (12) for conveying a flow of a fluid to be heated, at least part of the pipe being arranged so as to pass within the vessel in such a manner that, in service, it is surrounded by biomass arranged in the vessel, the device including support elements (15) for supporting the pipe, the device being characterized in that the support elements (15) for supporting the pipe pass through the vessel and protrude from the vessel.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the vessel (2) extends horizontally.

3. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the vessel (2) is generally in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped.

4. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the vessel (2) includes ventilation holes (9).

5. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein at least a portion of the vessel (2) is made of bricks.

6. A device according to claim 5, wherein the bricks are compressed earth bricks (CEBs).

7. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the vessel (2) includes legs (10).

8. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein at least a portion of a bottom of the vessel (2) is movable relative to the remainder of the vessel.

9. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the support elements comprise rods (15).

10. A device according to claim 9, wherein the rods (15) are made of metal.