Pyrolysis plant for batchwise production of biochar by pyrolysis of biomass and method

Abstract

A mattress insert, able to be inserted into a traditional mattress, includes a plurality of compartments, each containing gel beads and water suitable for simulating the feeling, pressure relief, and temperature regulation of a waterbed. The mattress insert is placed into a foam structural material of the mattress, providing the mattress insert with support and preventing the spread of the gel beads within the insert. The foam core of the mattress may be either solid or rounded. This mattress technology and insert is useful for beds, including medical beds and dog beds, recliners, chairs, and sofas.

Description

[0001] Pyrolysis plant for the batch production of biochar by pyrolysis of biomass and process

[0002] Description

[0003] The present invention relates to a process for producing biochar by pyrolysis of biomass. Furthermore, the invention relates to a process for batchwise production of biochar by pyrolysis of biomass using the pyrolysis plant according to the invention.

[0004] In pyrolysis, biomass is carbonized in the absence of oxygen, or with minimal oxygen. The biomass can be wood, wood chips, plant residues, straw, wood chips, or green waste.

[0005] EP 4 25 7661 A1 discloses a process for producing biochar, using raw material in the form of pure natural wood. In this process, the dried wood pieces of the raw material are subjected to a pyrolysis process in a reactor under the absence of oxygen. The biochar produced during the pyrolysis is then extinguished by adding water.

[0006] EP 3 760 639 A1 discloses a device for producing biochar and / or for heat generation. This device comprises a reactor assembly for carbonizing a biomass fuel to produce biochar and a combustion chamber for combusting at least a portion of the gas released during carbonization to generate heat. The device is designed for continuous operation.

[0007] Furthermore, EP 3 919 586 B1 discloses a device for producing biochar by pyrolysis of biomass.

[0008] Large-scale plants for the production of biochar, and especially those that operate in a continuous process, are technically complex both in terms of their production and their operation.

[0009] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a novel pyrolysis plant that is particularly easy to manufacture and operate. In particular, the object of the present invention is to create a pyrolysis plant that is particularly easy to manufacture and operate while requiring low investment costs. Such plants are particularly advantageous when used in less developed regions. Furthermore, the object of the invention is to provide a method for operating such a pyrolysis plant.

[0010] These objects are solved by the subject matter of the independent patent claims. Advantageous further developments are the subject matter of subclaims.

[0011] The pyrolysis plant according to the invention serves for the batch production of biochar through the pyrolysis of biomass. "Batch production" is understood here in particular to mean that the production of biochar in the pyrolysis plant takes place discontinuously, in that after the pyrolysis of the biomass has been completed, the process is first stopped, the obtained biochar is removed, and then, if necessary, another batch of biomass is subjected to the pyrolysis process. In this respect, the pyrolysis plant serves to carry out a batch process, often also referred to as a batch process, and constitutes a discontinuous production process, in contrast to a continuous production process in which biochar is produced continuously, thus without interruption.

[0012] The biomass is, in particular, plant material, such as wood, green waste, straw, chopped material, or similar. The pyrolysis plant according to the invention comprises: at least one carrier insert for receiving the biomass, wherein the carrier insert has a receiving space for the biomass, a bottom delimiting the receiving space at the bottom, and an at least substantially closed side wall continuously delimiting the receiving space, as well as an open lid surface opposite the bottom for filling the receiving space with the biomass, wherein the carrier insert has an inlet opening for gas; a drying device for drying the biomass, wherein the drying device has a drying container, wherein the drying container has a container interior for receiving the carrier insert, wherein the drying container has an access opening that can be closed with a lid,wherein, with the lid open, the carrier insert can be introduced into the container interior via the access opening, wherein the drying container has an inlet opening for a first gas stream and an outlet opening for the first gas stream to achieve an exchange volume flow in the container interior for drying the biomass; a conveying device for supplying drying air to the inlet opening of the drying container; a pyrolysis device for the pyrolysis of the biomass dried in the drying device to obtain biochar under the exclusion of oxygen or with a low oxygen supply, wherein the pyrolysis device has a pyrolysis container, wherein the pyrolysis container has a container interior for receiving the carrier insert, wherein the pyrolysis container has an access opening that can be closed with a lid,wherein, with the lid open, the carrier insert can be introduced into the container interior of the pyrolysis container via the access opening, wherein the pyrolysis container is configured to do so, wherein a fan is arranged in the lower region of the container interior of the pyrolysis container, which fan is configured to effect a circulation of gas in the container interior of the pyrolysis container, such that, when the carrier insert is arranged in the container interior of the pyrolysis container, the gas located in the container interior of the pyrolysis container flows into the receiving space of the carrier insert via the inlet opening of the carrier insert and flows through the receiving space of the carrier insert in the direction of the open lid surface of the carrier insert, wherein the pyrolysis container has an outflow opening through which a portion of the gas can flow out of the container interior of the pyrolysis container,In particular, at least a portion of the pyrolysis gas released during pyrolysis can flow out of the interior of the pyrolysis container, wherein the gas flowing out of the outlet opening of the pyrolysis container forms a second gas stream; a heat exchanger, wherein the heat exchanger is fluidly connected to the outlet opening of the pyrolysis container and the conveying device and is configured to transfer heat from the second gas stream to the first gas stream to heat the first gas stream.

[0013] During operation of the pyrolysis plant, the carrier insert is used to transfer the biomass batchwise, first into the drying device, namely the drying vessel, and then, after drying, from the drying device to the pyrolysis device, namely the pyrolysis vessel. Each batch remains in the carrier insert, and the carrier insert is then placed as such in the drying vessel or pyrolysis vessel. There is no need to transfer or empty the drying vessel while it is passing through the individual devices of the pyrolysis plant, namely the drying device and the pyrolysis device. This has the advantage of simplifying handling, saving time for emptying and filling, and avoiding thermal losses during emptying and filling due to contact with the environment.

[0014] The biomass is preferably bulk material, especially uncompacted bulk material.

[0015] The drying air is primarily ambient air.

[0016] Preferably, the inlet opening of the carrier insert is formed in the bottom of the carrier insert.

[0017] During normal operation of the pyrolysis plant, both the drying vessel and the pyrolysis vessel are each equipped with a carrier insert containing biomass. After pyrolysis in the pyrolysis device has been completed, the finished, but still hot, biochar is removed from the pyrolysis vessel by removing the carrier insert and, if necessary, the carrier insert with the still hot coal is fed to a cooling device. The carrier insert located in the drying vessel is then removed from the drying vessel. The biomass contained in this carrier insert is dried, preferably with a residual moisture content of 3% to 8%, and this carrier insert is then transferred from the drying vessel to the pyrolysis vessel. The drying vessel is then equipped with a new carrier insert containing a new batch of biomass, which is then dried in the drying vessel.The biomass introduced into the drying vessel preferably has a residual moisture content of up to 30%. An initial residual moisture content of up to 30% has proven advantageous in order to achieve a residual moisture content of 3% to 8% of the biomass introduced into the drying vessel after completion of pyrolysis in the pyrolysis device. Since drying air is supplied to the drying vessel, which is heated via the heat exchanger with waste heat from the pyrolysis device, the heat released during pyrolysis is advantageously used to dry the biomass to be dried. As a rule, the drying air is heated to a temperature of over 90°C during operation of the system. This enables particularly rapid drying of the biomass in the drying vessel.The volume flow of the first gas stream and the second gas stream are coordinated in such a way that, after completion of the pyrolysis in the pyrolysis unit, sufficient drying of the biomass in the drying unit is achieved. The dried biomass preferably has a residual moisture content of 3-8% and a temperature of more than 80 °C when transferred to the pyrolysis tank.

[0018] The fan located inside the vessel initiates and maintains gas circulation within the pyrolysis vessel. This rapidly transfers most of the residual heat from the pyrolysis vessel, preheated by the pyrolysis of the previous batch, to the newly introduced batch of dried biomass. Typically, the heat of the pyrolysis vessel is sufficiently high that the exothermic pyrolysis process in the dried biomass starts automatically, at least in a lower area of ​​the carrier vessel. The circulation of the gases through the operation of the fan distributes the additional heat released by the exothermic pyrolysis reaction, which flows through the carrier insert, to all of the biomass inside the vessel. The exothermic pyrolysis reaction further heats both the biomass and the pyrolysis vessel.As a rule, temperatures of 300°C to 380°C are reached in the pyrolysis tank in this way.

[0019] The hot gases released during pyrolysis, or the gas circulating in the vessel interior, will partially flow out through the outlet opening. The outlet opening is preferably located in an upper area of ​​the pyrolysis vessel. The hot gases flowing out of the outlet opening form the second gas stream, which is fed to the heat exchanger. The second gas stream can be fed to the heat exchanger, for example, via a pipeline.

[0020] Due to the design of the pyrolysis plant according to the invention, in particular through the use of one or more identically designed carrier inserts, a particularly rapid change or a particularly rapid transfer of biomass to the different containers can be carried out in a simple manner during normal operation of the pyrolysis plant.

[0021] The term "fan" used in the context of the present invention should be interpreted broadly, namely to mean a motor-driven device that conveys a gaseous medium. The fan is, in particular, a blower or a compressor. The fan is preferably an axial fan.

[0022] It is considered particularly advantageous if the fan has a fan wheel arranged in the interior of the container and a drive motor for driving the fan wheel, wherein the drive motor is formed outside the pyrolysis container.

[0023] In a particularly preferred embodiment, it is provided that the pyrolysis plant additionally comprises: a cooling device for cooling the biochar obtained in the pyrolysis device with the exclusion of oxygen or with a low supply of oxygen, wherein the cooling device has a cooling container, wherein the cooling container has a container interior for receiving the carrier insert, wherein the cooling container has an access opening which can be closed with a lid, wherein when the lid is open, the carrier insert can be introduced into the container interior of the cooling container via the access opening. This design has the advantage that the carrier insert removed from the pyrolysis container can be transferred into the cooling container, which on the one hand ensures a high level of safety, since by transferring the still hot biochar to the cooling device, ignition and thus glowing or burning of the obtained biochar is avoided.In addition, the use of a cooling device has the advantage that the thermal energy of the hot biochar and the hot carrier insert can be used in an advantageous manner.In this context, it is considered particularly advantageous if the cooling container has an outflow opening through which a part of the gas can flow out of the container interior of the cooling container, wherein the gas flowing out of the outflow opening of the cooling container forms a third gas stream, wherein the heat exchanger is fluidically connected to the outflow opening of the cooling container and is designed to transfer heat from the third gas stream to the first gas stream in order to heat the first gas stream, or wherein the pyrolysis plant has a further heat exchanger, wherein the further heat exchanger is fluidically connected to the outflow opening of the cooling container and the conveying device and is designed to transfer heat from the third gas stream to the first gas stream in order to heat the first gas stream.

[0024] Furthermore, it is considered particularly advantageous if a fan is arranged in the lower region of the container interior of the cooling container, which fan is designed to cause a circulation of gas in the container interior of the cooling container, such that when the carrier insert is arranged in the container interior of the cooling container, the gas located in the container interior of the cooling container flows into the receiving space of the carrier insert via the inlet opening of the carrier insert and flows through the receiving space of the carrier insert in the direction of the open cover surface of the carrier insert.

[0025] With regard to the cooling device, it is considered particularly advantageous if the cooling container has a feed opening opening into the bottom region of the cooling container, wherein, when the lid is closed, water can be introduced into the interior of the cooling container via the feed opening in such a way that the water flows onto a bottom of the interior of the container, wherein during operation of the system the bottom is heated at least temporarily in such a way that at least part of the supplied water evaporates, wherein the released water vapor flows into the receiving space of the carrier insert via the inlet opening of the carrier insert when the carrier insert is arranged in the interior of the cooling container and flows through the receiving space of the carrier insert in the direction of the open lid surface of the carrier insert.

[0026] Preferably, water is continuously fed into the cooling tank. Evaporation of the water rapidly cools the hot biochar, with the released steam being fed to the heat exchanger via the cooling tank's outlet opening to heat the first gas stream.

[0027] After cooling, the carrier insert containing the cooled biochar can be removed from the cooling container and emptied. The cooling container can then be refilled with the carrier insert removed from the pyrolysis container.

[0028] In order to further increase the efficiency of steam generation, it is considered particularly advantageous if heat transfer structures, in particular heat transfer fins, are arranged at the bottom of the cooling tank and project into the tank interior.

[0029] It is considered particularly advantageous if the pyrolysis container and / or the drying container and / or the cooling container are each designed as a barrel.

[0030] Preferably, the material of the pyrolysis vessel and / or the drying vessel and / or the cooling vessel is a metal, in particular steel. The use of a metal or a metal alloy has proven particularly advantageous, since metals or metal alloys have a particularly high heat capacity and high thermal conductivity, which is advantageous for both the drying process and the pyrolysis process.

[0031] It is considered particularly advantageous if the pyrolysis tank and / or the drying tank and / or the cooling tank are provided with insulation to prevent heat loss to the environment. This insulation can be made of rock wool or similar, for example.

[0032] It is considered particularly advantageous if the respective access opening is designed at the top so that the carrier insert can be inserted vertically from above into the respective container.

[0033] Such a design has proven to be structurally advantageous, particularly in light of the need for the most precise placement of the carrier insert in the respective container. With regard to the precise placement of the carrier insert in the respective container, it is considered advantageous if guide structures are installed in the container interior that lead to self-centering of the carrier insert within the container interior. These guide structures can be, for example, conically tapered structures, guide bevels, or similar.

[0034] It is considered particularly advantageous if support structures are mounted in at least one container, preferably in the respective container interior, with the support insert resting on these support structures in such a way that the support insert is spaced from a container bottom. Such a design has proven advantageous with regard to gas flow or gas circulation in the respective container. These support structures can be mounted on the bottom of the respective container or on the side walls of the respective container.

[0035] It is considered particularly advantageous if one heat exchanger and / or the other heat exchanger are each a tube heat exchanger.

[0036] It is considered particularly advantageous with regard to a particularly rapid implementation of the batch process if the pyrolysis plant has at least three, preferably at least four, identically designed carrier inserts.

[0037] In view of a particularly simple and safe transfer of the carrier inserts between the containers, it is considered advantageous if the pyrolysis plant has a transfer device, wherein the transfer device is designed to transfer a carrier insert arranged in the drying container into the pyrolysis container, wherein the transfer device has a guide rail extending above the drying container and the pyrolysis container and a trolley movable along the guide rail, wherein the trolley has a cable pull or chain pull that can be coupled to the carrier insert.

[0038] In principle, it is also quite conceivable for the transfer device to have several trolleys or for one trolley to have several cable hoists or chain hoists for the simultaneous handling and transfer of several carrier inserts, thereby accelerating the exchange of the carrier inserts between the containers.

[0039] It is considered particularly advantageous if a covering device is arranged on the cable pull or chain pull, wherein the covering device is designed to cover the open cover surface of the carrier insert when the cable pull or chain pull is coupled to the carrier insert.

[0040] Covering the open lid surface has the advantage of preventing contact with ambient air during transfer of the carrier insert, which, on the one hand, prevents the still-hot biochar from igniting or glowing, and, on the other hand, prevents heat loss. It is considered particularly advantageous if the cover device is plate-shaped, with the cable or chain hoist passing through the cover device, allowing the cover device to be moved along the cable or chain hoist.

[0041] This design reliably covers the open lid surface. It is considered particularly advantageous if the covering device has an extension that is larger than the diameter of the carrier insert.

[0042] The carrier insert preferably has a circumferentially closed side wall. Accordingly, it is considered advantageous if the carrier insert is open only in the area of ​​the lid surface and has an opening in the area of ​​the base. This prevents gas from flowing in or out of the receiving space of the carrier insert.

[0043] It is considered particularly advantageous if the support insert has an intermediate floor, wherein the intermediate floor is designed as a grid. The grid can be a grating, for example. The intermediate floor creates a space in the support insert that allows gas to flow into the upper part of the receiving space above it, while preventing the biomass from penetrating the space. This promotes good gas circulation or flow across the entire cross-section of the support insert and therefore of the biomass located in the upper part of the receiving space. In addition, this design allows the fan to extend into this intermediate area when the support insert is in place, which has a beneficial effect on gas circulation and the flow through the biomass.

[0044] It is considered particularly advantageous if the pyrolysis device has a heating device for heating the pyrolysis container. The provision of a heating device, for example, an electrical resistance heater, has the advantage that additional heat can be introduced into the pyrolysis container. This may be necessary, for example, if the pyrolysis process in the pyrolysis container does not start automatically. In such a case, additional heat can be introduced into the pyrolysis container by at least temporarily switching on the heating device. Once the pyrolysis process has started, the heating device can then be switched off again.Furthermore, the provision of a heating device is considered advantageous in that, if necessary, the biochar in the pyrolysis container can be further heated by means of the heating device, for example, to a temperature of 400° to 600°C, in order to expel undesirable residual components from the biochar and to improve the quality of the biochar.

[0045] Against this backdrop, it is also quite conceivable for the pyrolysis tank to have a feed opening for supplying oxygen-containing gas, which causes the still-hot biochar to glow or burn, which in turn introduces additional heat into the tank's interior to further heat the remaining biochar. The oxygen-containing gas could be ambient air, for example.

[0046] It is considered particularly advantageous if the drying container has a circumferential support surface for the support insert, wherein the support surface has a circumferential sealing element. The sealing element is designed to cooperate sealingly with the support insert, in particular the side wall, when the support insert is arranged in the drying container, such that the first gas stream is prevented from flowing laterally past the support insert. Such a design increases the efficiency of drying in the drying container.

[0047] The conveying device for the drying air for the purpose of conveying or forming the first gas stream is preferably a blower.

[0048] The inventive method for the batchwise, thus continuous, production of biochar by pyrolysis of biomass is carried out using the pyrolysis plant described above, in particular a pyrolysis plant according to one of the aforementioned embodiments. The method is applied in regular operation of the pyrolysis plant. There is an initial state in which a first carrier insert is located in the pyrolysis vessel, the pyrolysis process being completed and the first carrier insert being filled with the biochar obtained from a first batch of biomass during pyrolysis, and a second carrier insert containing a second batch of biomass is located in the drying vessel, and the drying process of this second batch is completed. Starting from this, the following process steps are carried out:

[0049] - Removing the first carrier insert containing the biochar obtained from the biomass of the first batch during pyrolysis while still hot from the pyrolysis container,

[0050] - Removing the second carrier insert from the drying container with the dried second batch of biomass,

[0051] - Inserting the second carrier insert into the pyrolysis container, wherein the pyrolysis container is preheated by the previous pyrolysis process, wherein after the insertion of the second carrier insert the lid of the pyrolysis container is closed,

[0052] - Inserting a third carrier insert into the drying container, wherein the receiving space of the third carrier insert is filled with an undried third batch of biomass, wherein after the insertion of the third carrier insert the lid of the drying device is closed,

[0053] - heating the second batch located in the preheated pyrolysis vessel, whereby an exothermic pyrolysis process is initiated in the second batch to convert the biomass of the second batch into biochar, wherein the fan of the pyrolysis device causes gas circulation in the pyrolysis vessel, wherein during the pyrolysis process the third batch located in the drying vessel is dried by means of the first gas stream,

[0054] - Repeating the above-mentioned process steps, wherein the second carrier insert forms the first carrier insert and the third carrier insert forms the second carrier insert during the repetition.

[0055] The term "normal operation" is understood here in particular to mean that the pyrolysis plant is already in a state in which the pyrolysis vessel and / or the drying vessel have already been previously filled with a batch of biomass and are already in a preheated state. A first start of the pyrolysis plant or a restart of the pyrolysis plant can be achieved, for example, by placing a carrier insert containing a batch of pre-dried biomass into the pyrolysis vessel and a carrier insert containing a batch of biomass to be dried into the drying vessel. The pyrolysis vessel is heated by a heating device until the pyrolysis process begins.

[0056] It is considered particularly advantageous if, during the pyrolysis process, the first batch is heated at least temporarily to a temperature of 400°C to 600°C using a heating device for heating the pyrolysis container.

[0057] In a particularly preferred embodiment, it is provided that oxygen, in particular ambient air, is temporarily supplied to the interior of the pyrolysis container in order to increase the temperature in the interior of the pyrolysis container by burning part of the biomass and / or by burning part of the pyrolysis gas.

[0058] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the interior of the pyrolysis container is purged with steam before removing the first carrier insert to expel the gases released during pyrolysis. This ensures high operational reliability, since when the lid is opened to remove the carrier insert from the pyrolysis container, no or only a small amount of pyrolysis gases can escape, since a large portion of the pyrolysis gases have already been removed from the container interior by purging.

[0059] It is considered particularly advantageous if the pyrolysis plant has a separation device for separating distillate from the second gas stream. The separation device is preferably arranged downstream of the heat exchanger with respect to the flow direction of the second gas stream.

[0060] It is considered advantageous if the pyrolysis plant has a cooling device for cooling the biochar obtained in the pyrolysis device under exclusion of oxygen or with a low oxygen supply, wherein the cooling device has a cooling container, wherein the cooling container has a container interior for receiving the carrier insert, wherein the cooling container has an access opening which can be closed with a lid, wherein when the lid is open the carrier insert can be introduced into the container interior of the cooling container via the access opening, wherein the first carrier insert removed from the pyrolysis container is introduced into the cooling container while still hot, together with the biochar obtained from the biomass of the first batch during pyrolysis.

[0061] The advantages and advantageous embodiments mentioned for the pyrolysis plant according to the invention apply accordingly to the process according to the invention and vice versa.

[0062] The following figures illustrate the invention in more detail using an exemplary embodiment, without being limited to this embodiment. They show:

[0063] Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of the pyrolysis plant according to the invention in a schematic representation,

[0064] Fig. 2 shows one of several identically designed carrier inserts of the pyrolysis plant in a schematic representation, Fig. 2a shows the carrier insert in a second schematic representation,

[0065] Fig. 3 shows a drying device of the pyrolysis plant in a schematic representation,

[0066] Fig. 4 a pyrolysis device of the pyrolysis plant in a schematic representation,

[0067] Fig. 5 shows a cooling device of the pyrolysis plant in a schematic representation.

[0068] Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a pyrolysis plant according to the invention.The pyrolysis plant is used for the batchwise (discontinuous) production of biochar by pyrolysis of biomass, in particular plant material, wherein the pyrolysis plant comprises: a plurality of identically designed carrier inserts 1 for receiving the biomass, a drying device 2 for drying the biomass by means of a first gas stream, a pyrolysis device 3 for the pyrolysis of the biomass dried in the drying device 2 to obtain biochar under the exclusion of oxygen or with a low oxygen supply, a cooling device 4 for cooling the biochar obtained in the pyrolysis device 3 under the exclusion of oxygen or with a low oxygen supply, a conveying device in the form of a fan 5 for supplying ambient air to the drying device 2, a heat exchanger 6 in the form of a tube heat exchanger for heating the ambient air conveyed by the fan 5 using waste heat, namely exhaust gas, from the pyrolysis device 3.

[0069] The respective support insert 1 has a receiving space 7 for the biomass, a bottom 8 defining the receiving space 7 at the bottom and having an inlet opening 9 for gas, a closed side wall 10 circumferentially defining the receiving space 7, and an open cover surface 11 opposite the bottom 8 for filling the receiving space 7 with the biomass. Furthermore, the support insert 1 has a crossbar 12 with a hook-shaped coupling structure 13a for hooking a hook-shaped counter-coupling structure 13b of a cable pull of a trolley 14. The trolley 14 is displaceable along a crossbeam 15 extending horizontally over the drying device 2, the pyrolysis device 3, and the cooling devices 4. The support insert 1 can be transferred into the respective device 2, 3, 4 via the trolley 14.A plate-shaped covering device 33 is arranged on a cable pull of the trolley 14, wherein the covering device 33 is designed to cover the open cover surface 11 of the carrier insert 1 when the cable pull or chain pull is coupled to the carrier insert 1.

[0070] The drying device 2 has a drying container 16, wherein the drying container 16 has a container interior for receiving one of the carrier inserts 1, wherein the drying container 16 has an access opening that can be closed with a lid 17, wherein when the lid 17 is open, the carrier insert 1 can be introduced into the container interior via the access opening, wherein the drying container 16 has an inlet opening for the first gas stream in the bottom region and an outlet opening formed in the lid 17 for the first gas stream to achieve an exchange volume flow in the container interior for drying the biomass. The flow of the first gas stream in the container interior of the drying container 16 is indicated by the arrows 24 in Fig. 3.

[0071] The pyrolysis device 3 has a pyrolysis container 18, wherein the pyrolysis container 18 has a container interior for receiving one of the carrier inserts 1, wherein the pyrolysis container 18 has an access opening which can be closed with a lid 19, wherein when the lid 19 is open, the carrier insert 1 can be introduced into the container interior of the pyrolysis container 18 via the access opening, wherein a fan 20 is arranged in the lower region of the container interior of the pyrolysis container 18, wherein the drive motor 21 of the fan 20 is arranged outside the pyrolysis container 18, wherein the fan 20 is designed to effect a circulation of gas in the container interior of the pyrolysis container 18, such thatthat when the carrier insert 1 is arranged in the interior of the pyrolysis container 18, the gas located in the interior of the pyrolysis container 18 flows through the inlet opening 9 of the carrier insert 1 into the receiving space 7 of the carrier insert 1 and flows through the receiving space 7 of the carrier insert 1 and thus the biomass received therein in the direction of the open lid surface 11 of the carrier insert 2. The circulation of the gas in the interior of the container is indicated by the arrows 22 in Figure 4. The pyrolysis container 18 has an outlet opening in the form of an outlet pipe 23 through which a portion of the gas can flow out of the interior of the pyrolysis container 18, in particular at least a portion of the pyrolysis gas released during pyrolysis can flow out of the interior of the pyrolysis container 18.The gas flowing out of the outlet opening 23 of the pyrolysis tank 18 forms a second gas stream. This second gas stream is fed to the tube heat exchanger 6 and serves to heat the first gas stream.

[0072] The flow of the first gas stream is indicated by arrows 24 in the figures. The flow of the second gas stream is indicated by arrows 25 in the figures.

[0073] The cooling device 4 has a cooling container 26, wherein the cooling container 26 has a container interior for receiving one of the carrier inserts 1, wherein the cooling container 26 has an access opening that can be closed with a lid, wherein when the lid is open, the carrier insert 1 can be introduced into the container interior of the cooling container 26 via the access opening.In the lower region of the container interior of the cooling container 26, as in the pyrolysis device, a fan 20 is also arranged, which is designed to cause gas to circulate in the container interior of the cooling container 26 in such a way that, when the carrier insert 1 is arranged in the container interior of the cooling container 26, the gas located in the container interior of the cooling container 26 flows through the inlet opening of the carrier insert 1 into the receiving space 7 of the carrier insert 1 and flows through the receiving space 7 of the carrier insert 1 in the direction of the open lid surface 11 of the carrier insert 1, whereby the pyrolysis coal located in the receiving space 7 also flows through. The flow of the gas in the container interior of the cooling container 26 is indicated by the arrows 27 in Fig. 5.

[0074] The drying vessel 16, the pyrolysis vessel 18, and the cooling vessel 26 each have support structures 28, wherein the support structures 28 each define a support plane for the carrier insert 1, which is spaced from the plane of the bottom of the respective vessel 16, 18, 26, thereby forming an open space between the bottom of the respective vessel 16, 18, 26 and the carrier insert 1. This has a beneficial effect on the gas flow in the respective vessel 16, 18, 26.

[0075] A grating may also be formed in the area of ​​the support structures 28, or the support structures 28 may be formed by a grating. In addition, the respective support insert 1 has an intermediate floor 29, wherein this intermediate floor 29 is formed in the present case by a grating. As a result, an intermediate space 7a is also formed in the receiving space 7 in the area of ​​the support insert 1. When the support insert 1 is arranged in the pyrolysis tank 18 or in the cooling tank 26, the fan 20, or more precisely the fan impeller of the fan 20, protrudes into the intermediate space 7a.

[0076] The drying tank 16 and the cooling tank 26 are provided with a relatively thin-walled insulation 30. The pyrolysis tank 18, on the other hand, is provided with a thicker insulation 30.

[0077] In the region of the support structures 28 of the drying container 16 defining the installation plane, an annular sealing element 31 is provided, wherein the sealing element 31 is designed to cooperate sealingly with the support insert 1 when the support insert 1 is arranged in the drying container 16, such that a lateral flow of the first gas stream past the support insert 1 is prevented.

[0078] The pyrolysis device 3 has a heating device 34 for heating the pyrolysis container 18, wherein a heating coil of the heating device 34 is arranged in the pyrolysis container 18, namely in the floor area below the installation level.

[0079] Adjacent to the fan 5, a collecting container 32 is arranged, said collecting container 32 serving to collect any liquid distillate produced during the cooling of the second gas stream.

[0080] Each of the three units (drying unit 2, pyrolysis unit 3, cooling unit 4) is dependent on the other two during the ongoing process and is loaded with a new batch every 45 minutes, for example, at the same time or immediately after each other. After the previous run is completed, four actions must be performed to begin the next run:

[0081] - The carrier insert 1 with the finished and cooled biochar is removed from the cooling device 4 and can be emptied.

[0082] - The carrier insert 1 with the finished, but still hot, biochar is removed from the pyrolysis device 3 and transferred to the cooling device 4.

[0083] - The carrier insert 1 with the dry and preheated biomass is transferred from the drying device 2 to the pyrolysis device 3.

[0084] - A new carrier insert 1 containing biomass to be dried is inserted into the drying device 2. List of reference symbols

[0085] 1 carrier insert

[0086] 2 drying device

[0087] 3 Pyrolysis device

[0088] 4 Cooling device

[0089] 5 fans

[0090] 6 heat exchangers

[0091] 7 Recording room

[0092] 7a Intermediate space

[0093] 8 Floor

[0094] 9 Inlet opening

[0095] 10 Side wall

[0096] 11 Lid surface

[0097] 12 Crossbar

[0098] 13a Coupling structure

[0099] 13b Negative feedback structure

[0100] 14 trolley

[0101] 15 crossbeam

[0102] 16 drying containers

[0103] 17 lids

[0104] 18 pyrolysis containers

[0105] 19 lids

[0106] 20 fan

[0107] 21 Drive motor

[0108] 22 Arrow

[0109] 23 Outlet pipe

[0110] 24 Arrow

[0111] 25 Arrow

[0112] 26 cooling containers

[0113] 27 Arrow

[0114] 28 Storage structures 29 Intermediate floor

[0115] 30 Insulation

[0116] 31 Sealing element

[0117] 32 Collecting container 33 Covering device

[0118] 34 Heating device

Claims

P a t e n t a n s p r ü c h e 1 . Pyrolysis plant for the batch-wise production of biochar by pyrolysis of biomass, in particular of plant material, the pyrolysis plant comprising: at least one carrier insert (1) for receiving the biomass, the carrier insert (1) having a receiving space (7) for the biomass, a bottom (8) delimiting the receiving space (7) at the bottom, an at least substantially closed side wall (10) circumferentially delimiting the receiving space (7), and an open cover surface (11) opposite the bottom (8) for filling the receiving space (7) with the biomass, the carrier insert (1) having an inflow opening (9) for gas;a drying device (2) for drying the biomass, wherein the drying device (2) has a drying container (16), wherein the drying container (16) has a container interior for receiving the carrier insert (1), wherein the drying container (16) has an access opening that can be closed with a lid (17), wherein, with the lid (17) open, the carrier insert (1) can be introduced into the container interior via the access opening, wherein the drying container (16) has an inlet opening for a first gas stream and an outlet opening for the first gas stream to achieve an exchange volume flow in the container interior for drying the biomass; a conveying device for supplying drying air to the inlet opening of the drying container (16);a pyrolysis device (3) for the pyrolysis of the biomass dried in the drying device to obtain biochar under oxygen exclusion or with a low oxygen supply, wherein the pyrolysis device (3) has a pyrolysis container (18), wherein the pyrolysis container (18) has a container interior for receiving the carrier insert (1), wherein the pyrolysis container (18) has a lid (19); closable access opening, wherein when the lid (19) is open, the carrier insert (1) can be introduced into the container interior of the pyrolysis container (18) via the access opening, wherein in the lower region of the container interior of the pyrolysis container (18) a fan (20) is arranged, which is designed to cause a circulation of gas in the container interior of the pyrolysis container (18) such that when the carrier insert (1) is arranged in the container interior of the pyrolysis container (18), the gas located in the container interior of the pyrolysis container (18) flows into the receiving space (7) of the carrier insert (1) via the inflow opening (9) of the carrier insert (1) and flows through the receiving space (7) of the carrier insert (1) in the direction of the open lid surface (11) of the carrier insert (1), wherein the pyrolysis container (18) has an outflow opening, via which part of the gas can flow out of the interior of the pyrolysis container (18),In particular, at least a portion of the pyrolysis gas released during pyrolysis can flow out of the interior of the pyrolysis container (18), wherein the gas flowing out of the outlet opening of the pyrolysis container (18) forms a second gas stream; a heat exchanger (6), wherein the heat exchanger (6) is fluidly connected to the outlet opening of the pyrolysis container (18) and the conveying device and is configured to transfer heat from the second gas stream to the first gas stream to heat the first gas stream.

2. Pyrolysis plant according to claim 1, wherein the pyrolysis plant comprises: a cooling device (4) for cooling the in the pyrolysis device (3) obtained biochar under oxygen exclusion or low oxygen supply, wherein the cooling device (4) comprises a cooling container (26), wherein the cooling container (26) has a container interior for receiving the carrier insert (1 ), wherein the cooling container (26) has an access opening which can be closed with a lid, wherein when the lid is open, the carrier insert (1 ) can be introduced into the can be introduced into the interior of the cooling container (26).

3. Pyrolysis plant according to claim 2, wherein the cooling container (26) has an outflow opening through which a part of the gas can flow out of the container interior of the cooling container (26), wherein the gas flowing out of the outflow opening of the cooling container (26) forms a third gas stream, wherein the heat exchanger (6) is fluidically connected to the outflow opening of the cooling container (26) and is designed to transfer heat from the third gas stream to the first gas stream in order to heat the first gas stream, or wherein the pyrolysis plant has a further heat exchanger, wherein the further heat exchanger is fluidically connected to the outflow opening of the cooling container (26) and the conveying device and is designed to transfer heat from the third gas stream to the first gas stream in order to heat the first gas stream.

4. Pyrolysis plant according to claim 2 or 3, wherein a fan (20) is arranged in the lower region of the container interior of the cooling container (26), which fan is designed to effect a circulation of gas in the container interior of the cooling container (26) in such a way that when the carrier insert (1) is arranged in the container interior of the cooling container (26), the gas located in the container interior of the cooling container (26) flows into the receiving space (7) of the carrier insert (1) via the inflow opening (9) of the carrier insert (1) and flows through the receiving space (7) of the carrier insert (1) in the direction of the open cover surface (11) of the carrier insert (1).

5. Pyrolysis plant according to one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the cooling container (26) has a feed opening opening into the bottom region of the cooling container (26), wherein, with the lid closed, water can be introduced into the container interior of the cooling container (26) via the feed opening in such a way that the water flows onto a bottom of the container interior, wherein during operation of the system the base is at least temporarily heated in such a way that at least part of the supplied water evaporates, wherein the released water vapor flows into the receiving space (7) of the carrier insert (1) via the inlet opening (9) of the carrier insert (1) when the carrier insert (1) is arranged in the container interior of the cooling container and flows through the receiving space (7) of the carrier insert (1) in the direction of the open cover surface (11) of the carrier insert (1).

6. Pyrolysis plant according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the respective access opening is formed at the top, so that the carrier insert (1) can be inserted vertically from above into the respective container (16; 18; 26).

7. Pyrolysis plant according to claim 6, wherein the pyrolysis plant has a transfer device, wherein the transfer device is designed to transfer a carrier insert (1) arranged in the drying container (16) into the pyrolysis container (18), wherein the transfer device has a guide rail extending above the drying container (16) and the pyrolysis container (18) and a trolley (14) movable along the guide rail, wherein the trolley (14) has a cable pull or chain pull that can be coupled to the carrier insert (1).

8. Pyrolysis plant according to claim 7, wherein a covering device (33) is arranged on the cable pull or chain pull, wherein the covering device (33) is designed to cover the open cover surface (11) of the carrier insert (1) when the cable pull or chain pull is coupled to the carrier insert (1).

9. Pyrolysis plant according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the carrier insert (1) has an intermediate floor (29), wherein the intermediate floor (29) is designed as a grid.

10. Pyrolysis plant according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the Pyrolysis device (3) has a heating device (34) for heating the pyrolysis container (18).

11. Pyrolysis plant according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the drying container (16) has a circumferential installation surface for the carrier insert (1), wherein the installation surface has a circumferential sealing element (31), wherein the sealing element (31) is designed to cooperate in a sealing manner with the carrier insert (1), in particular the side wall (10), when the carrier insert (1) is arranged in the drying container (16), in such a way that a lateral flow of the first gas stream past the carrier insert (1) is prevented.

12. A method for the batch-wise production of biochar by pyrolysis of biomass using a pyrolysis plant according to one of claims 1 to 11 in a regular operation of the pyrolysis plant, wherein a state exists in which a first carrier insert (1) is located in the pyrolysis container (18), wherein the pyrolysis process is completed and the first carrier insert (1) is filled with the biochar obtained from a first batch of biomass during pyrolysis, and a second carrier insert (1) with a second batch of biomass is located in the drying container (16), and the drying process of this second batch is completed, the following method steps are carried out: - removing the first carrier insert (1) containing the biochar obtained from the biomass of the first batch during pyrolysis while still hot from the pyrolysis container (18), - removing the second carrier insert (1) from the drying container (16) with the dried second batch of biomass, - introducing the second carrier insert (1) into the pyrolysis container (18), wherein the pyrolysis container (18) is preheated by the previous pyrolysis process, wherein after the introduction of the second carrier insert (1), the lid (19) of the pyrolysis container (18) is closed, - Inserting a third carrier insert (1 ) into the drying container (16), wherein the receiving space (7) of the third carrier insert (1) is filled with an undried third batch of biomass, wherein after the introduction of the third carrier insert the lid of the drying device (2) is closed, - heating the second batch located in the preheated pyrolysis vessel (18), whereby an exothermic pyrolysis process is initiated in the second batch to convert the biomass of the second batch into biochar, wherein the fan of the pyrolysis device (3) causes gas circulation in the pyrolysis vessel (18), wherein during the pyrolysis process the third batch located in the drying vessel (16) is dried by means of the first gas stream, - Repeating the above-mentioned method steps, wherein the second carrier insert (1 ) forms the first carrier insert (1 ) during the repetition and the third carrier insert (1 ) forms the second carrier insert (1 ).

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein in the pyrolysis process the second batch is heated at least temporarily to a temperature of 400°C to 600°C using a heating device (34) for heating the pyrolysis container (18).

14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, wherein oxygen, in particular ambient air, is temporarily supplied to the interior of the pyrolysis container (18) in order to increase the temperature in the interior of the pyrolysis container (18) by burning part of the biomass and / or by burning part of the pyrolysis gas.

15. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the interior of the pyrolysis container (18) is rinsed with steam before removing the first carrier insert (1) in order to expel the gases released during the pyrolysis.

16. A process according to any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein the pyrolysis plant a cooling device (4) for cooling the biochar obtained in the pyrolysis device (3) under exclusion of oxygen or with a low oxygen supply, wherein the cooling device (4) has a cooling container (26), wherein the cooling container (26) has a container interior for receiving the carrier insert (1), wherein the cooling container (26) has an access opening which can be closed with a lid, wherein, with the lid open, the carrier insert (1) can be introduced into the container interior of the cooling container (26) via the access opening, wherein the first carrier insert (1) removed from the pyrolysis container (18) is introduced into the cooling container (26) while still hot, together with the biochar obtained from the biomass of the first batch during pyrolysis.