Self-compensating thermal expansion sealing system for cylindrical rotating reactors

Abstract

A sealing system with automatic thermal expansion compensation for a cylindrical rotary reactor (2) includes: (a) a first automatic compensation portion (8) located at a first end of the reactor, comprising: (a.1) a guide ring (80) fixed to a support structure of the reactor; (a.2) an axially sliding receiving ring (84) adjacent to the guide ring and axially sliding relative to the guide ring; and (a.3) an annular first bearing seat (22) fixed to the outer shell of the reactor and resting on a first support roller (32), the first bearing seat being radially sliding relative to the axially sliding receiving ring and rigidly connected thereto in the axial direction of the reactor; and (b) a second automatic compensation portion (9) located at a second end of the reactor opposite to the first end, the second automatic compensation portion comprising: (b.1) a receiving ring (94) fixed to a support structure of the reactor; and (b.2) an annular second bearing seat (23) fixed to the outer shell of the reactor and resting on a second support roller (33), the second bearing seat being rotatably sliding relative to the fixed receiving ring (94) and being axially sliding relative to it.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a self-compensating thermal expansion system, and particularly to a self-compensating thermal expansion system in a cylindrical rotary reactor. Background Technology

[0002] The most common applications of cylindrical rotary reactors are the drying of organic matter and food, the roasting and pyrolysis of biomass, and the processing of mineral coal. Generally, these processes require sealed reactors with a sealing system to prevent atmospheric ingress or accidental escape of reactant gases. In all these applications, sealing the reactor is difficult due to the temperature variations it experiences, its thermal expansion, and the fact that it has moving parts.

[0003] Several techniques for compensating for thermal expansion in cylindrical rotary reactors are currently known. The following are some documents that reveal such mechanisms.

[0004] Document BR112013008504-5 B1 describes a biomass roasting system comprising: (i) an inlet for receiving biomass pellets; (ii) a reactor drum configured to rotate about a rotation axis, the reactor drum having a plurality of blades located at multiple positions along the longitudinal length of the reactor drum, the blades being arranged in the drum at selected positions and densities to improve the properties of pellets from the biomass being roasted; (iii) a heat source upstream of the drum reactor for heating gases contained in the system to a temperature sufficient to roast the biomass pellets during operation; (iv) a fan device coupled to the system for generating a flow of heated gas through the drum reactor during operation of the system, the heated gas flow being sufficient to intermittently convey biomass pellets along the longitudinal length of the drum reactor as the drum reactor rotates, as the biomass pellets are lifted by the blades and dumped by the heated gas flow; and (v) a gas conduit coupled to at least the drum reactor, the heat source, and the fan device for recirculating at least a portion of the gas leaving the drum reactor back to the heat source to reheat the gas, thereby reintroducing it into the drum reactor. However, the literature BR112013008504-5 B1 does not mention the self-compensating sealing mechanism for thermal expansion of cylindrical reactors.

[0005] Document US20090007484 A1 describes an apparatus and method for producing carbonaceous and / or hydrocarbon materials from a biomass composition, the apparatus comprising: (i) a feed port; (ii) a pyrolysis assembly including a reactor comprising an inner hollow cylinder and an outer hollow cylinder, one of which is rotatable relative to the other, the two heated hollow cylinders supplying heat to the feed composition to convert it into a vapor fraction and a solid residue fraction; (iii) blades mounted relative to the inner and outer hollow cylinders for moving the biomass composition through the pyrolysis assembly; (iv) at least one vapor port for removing the vapor fraction containing hydrocarbon materials; and (v) at least one solids gate for removing the solid fraction containing carbonaceous materials. However, document US20090007484 A1 does not mention a self-compensating sealing mechanism for thermal expansion of the cylindrical reactor.

[0006] Document US20030202756 A1 discloses a rotary heat treatment drum with toothed edges arranged in a drum housing and supported at various peripheral points within the drum housing by uniformly distributed bridging members. Each bridging member comprises two clamps axially spaced from each other and welded to the drum housing, and a cross plate connecting the clamps and radially away from the drum housing. Each cross plate is rigidly connected to one clamp and axially slidably connected to the other clamp, thereby compensating for varying degrees of thermal expansion and the resulting deformation of the cross plate, as well as increased stress on the cross plate, clamps, and connection points. However, document US20030202756 A1 does not address the problem of ensuring a gas seal to prevent gas from entering or leaving the rotary drum.

[0007] Document US5890814 A describes a rotating roller arrangement in which the roller is mounted on a support ring such that circumferential expansion and contraction of the roller relative to the support ring does not adversely affect the assembly. In a preferred embodiment, roller blocks are mounted on the roller, while corresponding ring pulleys are mounted on the support ring. The side surfaces of adjacent roller blocks and ring pulleys support the weight of the roller in the support ring. In this arrangement, a gap can be maintained between the roller and the support ring to allow for the expansion and contraction of the roller. In a preferred embodiment, a drive sprocket is also mounted on the roller, wherein the sprocket mounting arrangement also accommodates the expansion and contraction of the roller. Similarly, the issue of rotating roller sealing is not discussed in US5890814 A.

[0008] Therefore, although documents US20030202756 A1 and US5890814 A disclose mechanisms that allow thermal expansion of cylindrical reactors, they are limited by temperature gradients because they do not allow for large expansion of the cylinder.

[0009] Therefore, the present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned problems, because there is no self-compensating thermal expansion system suitable for cylindrical rotary reactors in the prior art. Such systems need to ensure the seal between the moving and stationary parts of the equipment over a wide range of operating temperatures, and thus ensure the airtightness of the reaction apparatus, which ultimately results in large expansion changes. Summary of the Invention

[0010] The main objective of this invention is to provide a self-compensating thermal expansion sealing system for cylindrical rotary reactors with a wide temperature range, thereby allowing for higher thermal expansion compared to the prior art.

[0011] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a self-compensating thermal expansion sealing system for a cylindrical rotary reactor, comprising: (a) a first self-compensating portion located at a first end of the cylindrical rotary reactor, the first self-compensating portion comprising: (a.1) a guide ring fixed to a support structure of the cylindrical rotary reactor; (a.2) an axially sliding receiving ring adjacent to the guide ring, the axially sliding receiving ring sliding axially relative to the guide ring; and (a.3) a first annular bearing seat fixed to the housing of the rotating cylindrical reactor and supported on a first support roller, the first bearing seat sliding radially relative to the axially sliding receiving ring and integral with it axially; and (b) a second self-compensating portion located at a second end of the cylindrical rotary reactor opposite to the first end, the second self-compensating portion comprising: (b.1) a receiving ring fixed to a support structure of the cylindrical rotary reactor; and (b.2) a second annular bearing seat fixed to the housing of the cylindrical rotary reactor and supported on a second support roller, the second bearing seat rotatably sliding relative to the fixed receiving ring. Attached Figure Description

[0012] The detailed description given below refers to the accompanying drawings and their corresponding reference numerals.

[0013] Figure 1 A side view of a cylindrical reactor including a self-compensating sealing system according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown.

[0014] Figure 2 A detailed view of the first part of a self-compensating sealing system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0015] Figure 3 A detailed view of the second part of a self-compensating sealing system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0016] First, it should be emphasized that the following description will begin with preferred embodiments of the invention. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to these specific embodiments.

[0017] The present invention solves the above-mentioned technical problems by providing a self-compensating thermal expansion sealing system for a cylindrical rotary reactor 2. For the purposes of this description, the cylindrical rotary reactor 2 is defined as a cylindrical rotating body having an opening at its end.

[0018] according to Figures 1 to 3 In the preferred embodiment shown, the system of the present invention includes a first self-compensating portion 8 located at a first end of a cylindrical rotary reactor 2 and a second self-compensating portion 9 located at a second end of a rotary cylindrical reactor 2, the second end of the rotary cylindrical reactor 2 being opposite to the first end.

[0019] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first self-compensating portion 8 further includes a first annular bearing seat 22, which is fixed to the housing of the cylindrical rotating reactor 2 and supported on a first support roller 32. The first support roller is responsible for slidably and rotatably supporting the first end of the rotating cylindrical reactor 2, such as... Figure 1 As shown in the diagram. At the opposite end, the second self-compensating portion 9 further includes a first annular bearing seat 23, which is attached to the housing of the cylindrical rotating reactor 2 and supported on a first support roller 33, which is responsible for slidably and rotatably supporting the first end of the rotating cylindrical reactor 2.

[0020] like Figure 2 and 3 As can be seen, the bearing races 22 and 23 located in the self-compensating sections 8 and 9, respectively, have a fundamental difference: bearing race 23 has a groove (cava) indicated by reference numeral 23a, which differs from the smooth track 22. The bearing roller 33 is accommodated in this so-called groove 23a of the bearing race 23. In this way, axial displacement of the bearing race 23 is not permitted, and the expansion (or contraction) of the cylindrical rotating reactor 2 caused by heating (or cooling) it is fully transmitted to the self-compensating section 8, thereby causing the bearing roller 32 to slide axially on the bearing race 22.

[0021] Furthermore, the first self-compensating part 8 includes a guide ring 80 attached to the support structure of the cylindrical rotary reactor 2. The guide ring 80 is a fixed ring.

[0022] The first self-compensating section 8 also includes an axially sliding receiving ring 84 surrounding the guide ring 80, the axially sliding receiving ring 84 sliding axially relative to the guide ring 80 and rotatably fixed relative to the cylindrical rotary reactor. The fact that the axially sliding receiving ring 84 can move axially relative to the guide ring 80 allows for axial expansion compensation of the cylindrical rotary reactor 2. The axially sliding receiving ring 84 houses a first floating roller 85, in which at least one first side sealing gasket 86 is installed.

[0023] The second self-compensating part 9 also includes a receiving ring, but this is a fixed receiving ring 94, which in turn receives a second floating roller 85', at least the second side seal 86' is assembled in the second floating roller.

[0024] The first bearing race 22 is radially slidable relative to the axially sliding receiving ring 84 and is aligned with it axially in the cylindrical rotating reactor 2.

[0025] Preferably, during the thermal expansion of the cylindrical rotary reactor 2, the first bearing race 22 pushes the axial sliding containment ring 84 in the opposite direction to the second self-compensating portion 9. When the cylindrical rotary reactor 2 contracts due to cooling, the track roller 88, attached to the upper part of the axial sliding containment ring 84 by means of the track roller support 87, ensures that the movement of the first bearing race 22 coincides with the movement of the axial sliding containment ring 84. Therefore, when the cylindrical rotary reactor 2 cools, the first bearing race 22, by means of the guide roller 88 and its corresponding guide roller support 87, "pulls" the axial sliding containment ring 84 towards the second self-compensating portion 9.

[0026] Preferably, the guide roller 88 contacts the side surface of the recess of the first bearing race 22 and pre-positions the axial sliding receiving ring 84 toward the first bearing race 22. Furthermore, preferably, a plurality of guide rollers 88 and guide roller supports 87 are provided along the circumference of the axial sliding receiving ring 84.

[0027] Preferably, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first self-compensating portion 8 further includes a first floating roller 85 housed with a certain gap in the side cavity of the axial sliding receiving ring 84, the first floating roller 85 being pre-positioned in the direction of the side surface of the bearing race 22 by means of at least one elastic element. More preferably, at least one first side washer 86 is provided, which is compressed between the first floating roller 85 and the side surface of the first bearing race 22. The floating roller 85 is fixed, and there is a dimensional gap between it and the side cavity into which it is inserted. This gap allows the first floating roller 85 to move and absorb any angular deviation between the axis of the cylindrical rotary reactor 2 and the axis of its supporting structure.

[0028] Preferably, the at least one elastic element is at least a first spring pin 83. More preferably, a plurality of first spring pins 83 are provided along the circumference of the axially sliding receiving ring 84.

[0029] Preferably, the first self-compensating portion 8 further includes at least one lower washer 82, which is compressed between the upper surfaces of the axial sliding receiving ring 84 and the guide ring 80. Optionally, a pressure ring 81 attached to the axial sliding receiving ring 84 by a screw is provided to adjust the pressure of the at least one lower washer 82.

[0030] like Figure 3 As can be seen, the second self-compensating portion 9 is located at the second end of the cylindrical rotary reactor 2 opposite to the first end. As described above, the second self-compensating portion 9 includes a fixing receiving ring 94 fixed to the support structure of the cylindrical rotary reactor 2.

[0031] Furthermore, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the second self-compensating portion 9 further includes a second annular bearing seat 23, which is attached to the housing of the cylindrical rotary reactor 2 and supported on a second support roller 33, the second support roller being responsible for rotatably supporting the second end of the cylindrical rotary reactor 2, such as... Figure 1 As shown in the image.

[0032] The second bearing race 23 preferably includes a groove 23a suitable for assembling a corresponding second support roller 33. The second support roller 33 operates within this groove 23a, thereby preventing the bearing race 23 from moving axially in the cylindrical rotating reactor 2. All axial displacements resulting from the increased length of the rotating body are directed towards the first self-compensating portion 8. Since, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first bearing race 22 does not have an equivalent recess, the first support roller 32 is allowed to slide axially along the first bearing race 22 whenever the rotating body is heated or cooled.

[0033] Preferably, the second self-compensating portion 9 further includes a second floating roller 85' loosely accommodated in a side cavity of the fixed receiving ring 94, the second floating roller 85' being pre-positioned toward the side of the second bearing race 23 by means of at least a second elastic element. More preferably, at least a second side washer 86' is provided, which is compressed between the sides of the second floating roller 85' and the second bearing race 23. The second floating roller 85' is preferably the same as the first floating roller 85 described above, in order to move and absorb any angular deviation between the axis of the cylindrical rotating reactor 2 and the axis of its supporting structure.

[0034] Preferably, the at least one elastic element is at least a second spring pin 83'. More preferably, a plurality of second spring pins 83' are provided along the circumference of the retaining ring 94.

[0035] Preferably, the first bearing race 22 and the second bearing race 23 are attached to the surface of the cylindrical rotary reactor 2 by screwing them into at least one attachment ring 21 attached to the surface of the cylindrical rotary reactor 2, such as... Figure 2 and 3 As shown in the figure. Alternatively, the first bearing race 22 and the second bearing race 23 are attached to the surface of the cylindrical rotary reactor 2 (not shown) by welding to at least one centering attachment ring 21 attached to the surface of the cylindrical rotary reactor 2.

[0036] Alternatively, the first bearing race 22 and the second bearing race 23 are attached to the surface of the cylindrical rotary reactor 2 (not shown) by direct welding to it. Alternatively, the first bearing race 22 and the second bearing race 23 are attached to the surface of the cylindrical rotary reactor 2 (not shown) by direct screwing to it.

[0037] Preferably, the cylindrical rotary reactor 2 is driven by a motor 50, the shaft of which includes at least one gear (not shown) that meshes with an annular gear 90 attached to one of bearing races 22 and 23. More preferably, the annular gear 90 is attached to a second bearing race 23.

[0038] Therefore, as described above, the present invention provides a self-compensating thermal expansion sealing system for cylindrical rotary reactors with a wide temperature range, thereby allowing for higher thermal expansion compared to the prior art.

[0039] Many variations are permissible that affect the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, it should be emphasized that the invention is not limited to the specific configuration / specification described above.

Claims

1. A self-compensating thermal expansion sealing system for a cylindrical rotating reactor (2), comprising: - a first self-compensating portion (8) located at a first end of said cylindrical rotating reactor (2), said first self-compensating portion (8) comprising: - a guide ring (80) attached to a support structure of said cylindrical rotating reactor (2); - an axially sliding containment ring (84) adjacent to said guide ring (80), said axially sliding containment ring (84) sliding in an axial direction with respect to said guide ring (80); and - a first annular bearing race (22) attached to a housing of said cylindrical rotating reactor (2) and supported on a first support roller (32), said first bearing race (22) sliding in a radial direction with respect to said axially sliding containment ring (84) and being axially supportable to said cylindrical rotating reactor (2), and - a second self-compensating portion (9) located at a second end of said cylindrical rotating reactor (2) opposite said first end, said second self-compensating portion (9) comprising: - a fixed containment ring (94) fixed to said support structure of said cylindrical rotating reactor (2); and - a second annular bearing race (23) attached to a housing of said cylindrical rotating reactor (2) and supported on a second support roller (33), said second bearing race (23) rotatably sliding with respect to said fixed containment ring (94), characterized in that said second bearing race (23) comprises a groove (23a) adapted to engage with a corresponding second support roller (33).

2. The system of claim 1, wherein, Said first self-compensating portion (8) further comprises a first floating roller (85) housed with a gap in a lateral cavity of said axially sliding containment ring (84), said first floating roller (85) being predisposed in a direction of a lateral face of said first bearing race (22) by at least one first elastic element (83).

3. The system of claim 1 or 2, wherein, Said second self-compensating portion (9) further comprises a second floating roller (85') loosely housed in a lateral cavity of said fixed containment ring (94), said second floating roller (85') being predisposed towards a lateral face of said second bearing race (23) by means of at least a second elastic element (83').

4. The system of claim 2, wherein, Said system further comprises at least one first lateral gasket (86) compressed between said first floating roller (85) and said lateral face of said first bearing race (22).

5. The system of claim 3, wherein, Said system further comprises at least one second lateral gasket (86') compressed between said second floating roller (85') and said lateral face of said second bearing race (23).

6. The system of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, Said system further comprises at least one lower gasket (82) compressed between said axially sliding containment ring (84) and an upper face of said guide ring (80).

7. The system of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, The first self-compensating portion (8) comprises at least one guide roller (88), each of which is fixed to the upper part of the axially sliding containment ring (84) by means of a support guide (87), which contacts the lateral surface of the recess of the first bearing race (22) and predisposes the axially sliding containment ring (84) towards the first bearing race (22).

8. The system of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein, The first bearing race (22) and the second bearing race (23) are attached to the surface of the cylindrical rotating reactor (2) by means of at least one of the following: screwing to at least one attachment ring (21) attached to the surface of the cylindrical rotating reactor (2); welding to at least one centring attachment ring (21) attached to the surface of the cylindrical rotating reactor (2); direct welding to the surface of the cylindrical rotating reactor (2); and direct screwing to the surface of the cylindrical rotating reactor (2).

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