Gas piping system, arrangement, use of gas piping system and method of operating gas piping system
By introducing the scraping system in the gas pipeline system, the problem of blocking caused by the accumulation of solid materials, and the longer equipment operation time and more environmentally friendly cleaning process.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202380047212.2
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2022-07-11
- Filing Date
- 2023-06-29
- Publication Date
- 2025-01-24
- Estimated Expiration
- Not applicable · inactive patent
AI Technical Summary
When existing gas pipeline systems deal with gases carrying solid materials, solid materials are prone to accumulate on the inner surface of the pipeline, resulting in clogging and scaling, requiring frequent shutdown and cleaning, affecting the equipment operation time.
A gas piping system is designed, including at least one pipe and a scraping system. The pipe has a gas inlet and outlet and includes straight sections through which the gas flows. The scraping system consists of a rotatable shaftless auger or disk structure capable of scraping solid material from the inner surface of the pipe as the gas flows through it and delivering it to the solid material outlet.
The movement of the scraping system effectively avoids the accumulation of solid materials on the inner surface of the pipe, reduces the risk of blockage, extends the operating time of the equipment, and reduces the need for wastewater treatment during the cleaning process.
Smart Images
Figure CN119365254A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to gas piping systems. According to certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the treatment of a gas stream downstream of a reactor, in particular to the treatment of a gas with entrained solids.
[0002] Furthermore, the invention relates to an apparatus comprising a reactor and a gas conduit system.
[0003] Furthermore, the invention relates to the use of a gas piping system in combination with a system comprising a reactor.
[0004] Furthermore, the invention relates to a method of operating a gas pipeline system. Background Art
[0005] In many technical applications, gas is led through a gas pipe system. This gas can carry solid material within the gas flow, such as very small and lightweight particles or dust. This is particularly problematic in industrial applications, since solid material can accumulate over time on the inner surfaces of the gas pipe system, which can lead to blockages and / or scaling.
[0006] For example, polymer waste can be fed into an apparatus including a reactor, and then the gas from the at least partially pyrolyzed polymer waste is directed through a gas pipeline system toward a washing and condensing unit to obtain a liquid product. The gas may carry solid materials in the form of light particles or dust. Over time, at least a portion of the solid materials carried by the gas through the gas pipeline system accumulates on the inner surface of the gas pipeline system, and the operation of the reactor must be stopped, at least a portion of the apparatus must be cooled, the gas pipeline system must be disassembled, the gas pipeline system must be cleaned with water using a pressure cleaner and a brush, the gas pipeline system must be reassembled, and then at least a portion of the apparatus must be heated to a sufficient temperature before the operation of the reactor can continue. This process must be repeated regularly to avoid clogging the gas pipeline system due to the accumulation of solid materials. In some industrial systems, this process may take, for example, up to two days, with interruptions to the acquisition of liquid products.
[0007] In view of the foregoing, it would be beneficial to provide a gas pipeline system comprising at least one pipe having a gas inlet for gas and a gas outlet for gas, wherein the at least one pipe comprises a straight portion along at least a portion of the distance between the gas inlet and the gas outlet, wherein the gas pipeline system is capable of increasing the operating time of an apparatus utilizing the gas pipeline system. Summary of the invention
[0008] The invention is defined by the features of the independent claims. Some specific embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.
[0009] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a gas pipeline system is provided, comprising: at least one pipe having a gas inlet for gas and a gas outlet for gas, wherein the at least one pipe comprises a straight portion along at least a portion of the distance between the gas inlet and the gas outlet; and at least one solid material outlet comprised by the at least one pipe, wherein the at least one solid material outlet is separated from the gas outlet, wherein the gas pipeline system further comprises: a unit comprising at least one scraping system, wherein the at least one scraping system comprises a rotatable shaftless screw conveyor, wherein the at least one scraping system is coupled to a first moving mechanism capable of rotating the shaftless screw conveyor, or the at least one scraping system is coupled to a first moving mechanism capable of rotating the shaftless screw conveyor. The scraping system includes a first plate having a first opening, a second plate having a second opening, and a hollow structure arranged between the first plate and the second plate, wherein at least one scraping system is connected to a second moving mechanism capable of moving the scraping system along a straight portion, wherein the unit is at least partially arranged in at least one tube, wherein the unit is configured so that while gas flows from a gas inlet through the scraping system to a gas outlet, solid material carried by the gas into at least one tube accumulates on the inner surface of the straight portion and the solid material is scraped from the inner surface by the movement of the scraping system, and the scraped solid material is conveyed toward at least one solid material outlet by the movement of the scraping system.
[0010] Various implementations of the first aspect may include at least one feature from the following bulleted list:
[0011] a gas piping system configured to couple to the reactor, and the gas containing entrained solid material,
[0012] the gas piping system is configured to couple to a reactor, such as a pyrolysis reactor or a rotary kiln reactor, and the gas comprises gas from at least partially pyrolyzed polymer waste,
[0013] the gas pipeline system comprises a heating system capable of heating at least a portion of at least one pipe,
[0014] The heating system includes an electric heating system,
[0015] the second movement mechanism is capable of moving in a first direction along the straight portion and then moving in an opposite second direction or continuously along a loop,
[0016] the second movement mechanism further comprises: a first wheel arranged at a first end of the at least one tube, wherein the first wheel is configured to be driven by a motor; a second wheel arranged at a second end of the at least one tube; and a drive pulley structure coupled to the scraping system and arranged to move in two directions around the first wheel and the second wheel,
[0017] Hollow structures are in the form of hollow cylinders or hollow conical elements,
[0018] the diameters of both the first disk and the second disk are nearly the same as the inner diameter of the at least one tube,
[0019] The second movement mechanism comprises a plurality of electromagnets distributed along at least one tube, and the scraping system is at least partially made of magnetic material.
[0020] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus comprising a reactor according to any one of claims 1 to 7 and a gas conduit system, wherein the gas conduit system is coupled to the reactor.
[0021] Various implementations of the second aspect may include at least one feature from the following bulleted list:
[0022] Reactors involve gases entrained with solid materials,
[0023] The reactor is a pyrolysis reactor,
[0024] The reactor is a rotary kiln reactor,
[0025] Reactors designed to process polymer waste,
[0026] The device also includes a washing and condensing unit,
[0027] • The gas inlet of the gas pipe system is connected to the reactor and the gas outlet of the gas pipe system is connected to the scrubbing and condensing unit.
[0028] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided use of a gas conduit system according to any one of claims 1 to 7 in combination with a system comprising a reactor. The reactor may be designed for processing polymer waste.
[0029] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a method for operating a gas pipeline system is provided, the method comprising: providing at least one pipe, the at least one pipe having a gas inlet for gas and a gas outlet for gas, wherein the at least one pipe comprises a straight portion along at least a portion of the distance between the gas inlet and the gas outlet; and providing at least one solid material outlet comprised by the at least one pipe, wherein the at least one solid material outlet is separated from the gas outlet, wherein the method further comprises: arranging a unit comprising at least one scraping system at least partially within the at least one pipe, wherein the at least one scraping system comprises a rotatable shaftless screw conveyor, wherein the at least one scraping system is coupled to a rotatable shaftless screw conveyor capable of rotating the shaftless screw conveyor. A first moving mechanism for rotating the conveyor, or at least one scraping system includes a first disk with a first opening, a second disk with a second opening, and a hollow structure arranged between the first disk and the second disk, wherein the at least one scraping system is connected to a second moving mechanism capable of moving the scraping system along the straight portion, and the unit enables the solid material carried by the gas into at least one tube to accumulate on the inner surface of the straight portion while the gas flows from the gas inlet through the at least one scraping system to the gas outlet, and the solid material is scraped from the inner surface by the movement of the at least one scraping system, and the scraped solid material is conveyed toward at least one solid material outlet by the movement of the at least one scraping system.
[0030] Various implementations of the fourth aspect may include at least one feature from the following bulleted list:
[0031] The method further comprises coupling a gas pipeline system to the reactor, and coupling the gas pipeline system to a scrubbing and condensing unit,
[0032] the gases include gases from at least partially pyrolyzed polymer waste,
[0033] • The method further comprises heating at least a portion of the at least one tube by means of a heating system, preferably an electric heating system.
[0034] Certain embodiments of the present invention achieve considerable advantages. A gas pipeline system is provided, comprising at least one pipe, the at least one pipe having a gas inlet for gas and a gas outlet for gas. The gas pipeline system comprises a unit configured so that, while the gas flows from the gas inlet to the gas outlet, solid material is scraped from the inner surface of the at least one pipe after solid material carried by the gas into the at least one pipe accumulates on the inner surface of the pipe, and the scraped solid material is conveyed in the downstream direction of the gas flow and / or the scraped solid material is allowed to be carried by the gas again in the downstream direction. Thus, the accumulation of solid material on the inner surface of the at least one pipe, which may lead to blockage of the at least one pipe, can be avoided or at least reduced. Therefore, the gas pipeline system according to the present invention is able to increase the operating time of an apparatus utilizing the gas pipeline system.
[0035] For example, when the gas pipeline system according to certain embodiments of the present invention is arranged between a reactor designed for processing polymer waste and a washing and condensing unit designed for obtaining liquid products, the accumulation of solid material on the inner surface of at least one pipe can be avoided or at least reduced. Therefore, it is no longer necessary to stop the operation of the reactor, no longer need to cool the reactor and the gas pipeline system, no longer need to disassemble the gas pipeline system, no longer need to clean the gas pipeline system with water using a pressure cleaner, no longer need to reassemble the gas pipeline system, and then no longer need to heat the reactor and the gas pipeline system to a sufficient temperature before the operation of the reactor can continue, or at least the frequency of such processes can be reduced.
[0036] Since solid material can be mechanically removed from the inner surface of the at least one pipe during operation of the industrial system, wastewater treatment caused by cleaning the at least one pipe with water using a pressure cleaner or similar system can be further avoided or at least reduced. Mechanically removing solid material from the inner surface of the at least one pipe is therefore more environmentally friendly than existing solutions and further eliminates or at least reduces the resources required for wastewater management.
[0037] Additionally, according to certain embodiments, removing solid material from the inner surface of the at least one tube and conveying the solid material toward the solid material outlet reduces the amount of solid material to be scrubbed from the gas by the scrubbing and condensing unit. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0038] Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of a gas pipeline system according to at least some embodiments of the present invention,
[0039] Figure 2 A schematic diagram showing another gas pipeline system according to at least some embodiments of the present invention is shown.
[0040] Figure 3 shows a schematic diagram of yet another gas piping system according to at least some embodiments of the present invention,
[0041] Figure 4 A schematic diagram showing yet another gas piping system according to at least some embodiments of the present invention, and
[0042] Figure 5 Schematic diagrams of devices according to at least some embodiments of the present invention are shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0043] exist Figure 1 , a schematic diagram of a gas pipeline system 1 according to at least some embodiments of the present invention is shown. As shown, the gas pipeline system 1 comprises a pipe 2 having a gas inlet 3 for a gas 4 and a gas outlet 5 for the gas 4. The gas pipeline system 1 may also comprise, for example, a plurality of pipes 2 mechanically connected to each other, wherein the first pipe comprises the gas inlet and the last pipe comprises the gas outlet.
[0044] At least one tube 2 may be straight along its entire length, or include a straight portion 6 along at least a portion of the distance between the gas inlet 3 and the gas outlet 5. The diameter of the at least one tube 5 may range, for example, between 150 mm and 400 mm. The at least one tube 2 may, for example, be arranged horizontally or substantially horizontally. The term "horizontally" means that the longitudinal axis of the at least one tube 2 is oriented perpendicular to the gravity vector or perpendicular to the normal on the surface of the earth. Similarly, the term "substantially horizontally" means that the longitudinal axis of the at least one tube 2 is inclined by a smaller degree, for example less than 10 degrees, relative to an axis oriented perpendicular to the gravity vector or perpendicular to the normal on the surface of the earth. However, the longitudinal axis of the at least one tube 2 may also be inclined by more than 10 degrees, for example 30 degrees or 45 degrees.
[0045] The gas 4 guided through the gas pipeline system 1 may carry solid material 8 within the gas flow. The solid material 8 is typically in the form of very small and lightweight particles or dust. At least some of the solid material 8 carried by the gas 4 typically accumulates on the inner surface 9 of the at least one tube 2. In other words, a layer of solid material is formed on the inner surface 9 of the at least one tube 2 over time.
[0046] The gas pipeline system 1 also includes a unit at least partially arranged in at least one tube 2. The unit shown includes a moving mechanism 11. The moving mechanism 11 includes a motor 14, which is coupled to a first wheel 13 to form a drive wheel. The moving mechanism 11 also includes a second wheel 15, i.e., an idler wheel. The motor 14 and the first wheel 13 are arranged at a first end 23 of at least one tube 2. Typically, the motor 14 and the first wheel 13 are arranged outside or outside of at least one tube 2, but adjacent to at least one tube 2. The second wheel 15 is arranged at a second end 24 of at least one tube 2. The second wheel 15 is typically arranged outside or outside of at least one tube 2, but adjacent to at least one tube 2. In addition, the moving mechanism 11 also includes a drive pulley structure 16, such as a chain or cable, arranged around the first wheel 13 and the second wheel 15. The drive pulley structure 16 can be moved in clockwise and counterclockwise directions around the first wheel 13 and the second wheel 14 by means of the motor 14.
[0047] The unit shown also includes a scraping system 12 coupled to a drive pulley structure 16. The scraping system 12 includes a first disc 17 having a first opening 18, a second disc 19 having a second opening 20, and a hollow structure 21 arranged between the first disc 17 and the second disc 19, wherein the second disc 19 is spaced a distance from the first disc 17. The hollow structure 21 may be, for example, Figure 1 The hollow cylinder shown or, for example, the form of a hollow conical element. In the case of a hollow conical element, the diameter of the second opening is greater than the diameter of the first opening arranged upstream of the second opening. The hollow structure 21 is arranged so that the gas 4 can flow through the first opening 18, the second opening 20 and the hollow structure 21 of the scraping system 12. The size of the first opening 17 and the second opening 19 is generally designed so that the pressure drop is less than 1 kPa to avoid restricting the air flow through at least one tube 2. The first disk 17 and the second disk 19 are arranged perpendicular to or substantially perpendicular to the direction of the air flow through at least one tube 2. The diameters of both the first disk 17 and the second disk 19 are almost the same as the inner diameter of at least one tube 2 but slightly smaller. The difference between the inner diameter of the tube 2 and the diameters of both the first disk 17 and the second disk 19 can be in the range of, for example, between 1 mm and 10 mm. The first opening 18 of the first disk 17, the second opening 20 of the second disk 19, and the hollow structure 21 between the first disk 17 and the second disk 19 can be arranged coaxially with the longitudinal axis of at least one tube 2 (i.e., at the center of at least one tube 2). However, the first disk 17 and the second disk 19 can also each have an eccentric opening 18, 20. In this case, the hollow structure 21 can be as shown in FIG. Figure 1 Position accordingly as shown.
[0048] Therefore, the unit is configured so that, while the gas 4 flows from the gas inlet 3 to the gas outlet 5 through the scraping system 12, the solid material 8 carried by the gas 4 into the at least one tube 2 is scraped from the inner surface 9 by the moving scraping system 12 after accumulating on the inner surface 9 of the straight portion 6 of the at least one tube 2, and at least a portion of the scraped solid material 8 is conveyed toward the at least one solid material outlet 25, 26 by the moving scraping system 12. Due to the scraping and the gas flow, a portion of the scraped solid material 8 can be carried again by the gas 4 in the downstream direction.
[0049] For example, the first solid material outlet 25 may be provided at the first end 23 of the at least one tube, and the second solid material outlet 26 may be provided at the second end 24 of the at least one tube 2. When the scraping system 12 is moved in the downstream direction toward the second end 24 by the moving mechanism 11, the solid material 8 is scraped from the inner surface 9 of the at least one tube 2 by the scraping system 12 and conveyed toward the second solid material outlet 26. The second solid material outlet 25 is separated from the gas outlet 5 and separated from the gas inlet 3. A portion of the scraped solid material 8 may be conveyed again in the downstream direction by the gas 4. When the scraping system 12 is moved in the opposite direction (i.e., in the upstream direction), the scraping system 12 scrapes the solid material 8 from the inner surface 9 of the at least one tube 2 and conveys it toward the first solid material outlet 25. The first solid material outlet 25 is separated from the gas outlet 5. A portion of the scraped solid material 8 may be carried again by the gas 4 and guided in the downstream direction through the first opening 18 of the first disk 17, the hollow cylinder 21, and the second opening 20 of the second disk 19.
[0050] The gas pipeline system 1 typically comprises a heating system (not shown) capable of heating at least a portion of at least one tube 2. The heating system may be, for example, an electric heating system. The heating system is typically arranged outside the at least one tube 2 and is capable of heating the wall of the at least one tube 2. The heating system is typically arranged in a housing (not shown), in particular between the at least one tube 2 and an insulation (not shown) arranged in the housing. The temperature in the at least one tube 2 may be regulated by means of the heating system. For example, by heating the wall of the at least one tube 2, the heating system may be capable of raising the temperature in the at least one tube 2 from the ambient temperature to a temperature in the range between 200°C and 500°C, for example between 400°C and 500°C.
[0051] According to another embodiment, the moving mechanism comprises a plurality of electromagnets distributed along the at least one tube 2. In this case, the scraping system 12 is at least partially made of a magnetic material. Thus, a magnetic field can be generated by controlling the amount of current passing through the electromagnets, thereby moving the scraping system 12 along the straight portion 6 of the at least one tube 2. The electromagnets are usually arranged outside the at least one tube 2. One advantage of providing a moving mechanism comprising electromagnets is that the moving mechanism does not come into contact with the solid material 8 during operation.
[0052] exist Figure 2 , a schematic diagram of another gas pipeline system 1 according to at least some embodiments of the present invention is shown. The gas pipeline system 1 includes at least one pipe 2, the at least one pipe including a gas inlet 3 for gas and a gas outlet 5 for gas. At least one pipe 2 is connected to another pipe, thereby forming a loop. The gas pipeline system 1 includes at least one scraping system 12, for example two or more scraping systems 12. Each scraping system 12 can be, for example, as described above in combination with Figure 1 Designed as described. The gas pipeline system 1 also includes a moving mechanism (not shown). The moving mechanism may, for example, include a plurality of wheels and a drive pulley structure coupled to each scraping system 12, wherein the drive pulley structure is arranged around the plurality of wheels, thereby forming a closed trajectory for each scraping system 12. The scraping system 12 can be simultaneously moved along the loop by movement of the drive pulley structure in a counterclockwise or clockwise direction. Typically, the scraping system 12 moves as indicated by the arrows so as to convey the solid material 8 in a downstream direction from the gas inlet 3 toward the gas outlet 5. Alternatively, the moving mechanism may include a plurality of electromagnets distributed along the loop. In this case, each scraping system 12 is at least partially made of magnetic material. Therefore, a magnetic field can be generated by controlling the amount of current passing through the electromagnet, thereby moving each scraping system 12 along the loop. The electromagnet is typically arranged on the outside of the loop. One advantage of providing a moving mechanism including an electromagnet is that the moving mechanism does not contact the solid material 8 during operation. As described above in conjunction with Figure 1 As mentioned, a heating system (not shown) may also be provided.
[0053] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of another gas pipeline system 1 according to at least some embodiments of the present invention is shown. As shown, the gas pipeline system 1 includes a pipe 2 having a gas inlet 3 for a gas 4 and a gas outlet 5 for the gas 4. The gas pipeline system 1 may also include, for example, a plurality of pipes 2 mechanically connected to each other, wherein the first pipe includes the gas inlet and the last pipe includes the gas outlet.
[0054] At least one tube 2 may be straight along its entire length, or include a straight portion 6 along at least a portion of the distance between the gas inlet 3 and the gas outlet 5. The diameter of the at least one tube 5 may, for example, be in the range between 150 mm and 400 mm. The at least one tube 2 may, for example, be arranged horizontally or substantially horizontally. The term "horizontally" means that the longitudinal axis of the at least one tube 2 is oriented perpendicular to the gravity vector or perpendicular to the normal on the surface of the earth. Similarly, the term "substantially horizontally" means that the longitudinal axis of the at least one tube 2 is inclined by a smaller degree, for example less than 10 degrees, relative to an axis oriented perpendicular to the gravity vector or perpendicular to the normal on the surface of the earth. However, the longitudinal axis of the at least one tube 2 may also be inclined by more than 10 degrees, for example 30 degrees or 45 degrees.
[0055] The gas 4 guided through the gas pipeline system 1 may carry solid material 8 within the gas flow. The solid material 8 is typically in the form of very small and lightweight particles or dust. At least some of the solid material 8 carried by the gas 4 typically accumulates on the inner surface 9 of the at least one tube 2. In other words, a layer of solid material is formed on the inner surface 9 of the at least one tube 2 over time.
[0056] The gas pipeline system 1 also includes a unit at least partially arranged in at least one tube 2. The unit shown includes a moving mechanism 11, which includes a motor 14 coupled to a scraping system 12, which includes a shaftless screw conveyor 7. The shaftless screw conveyor 7 has a structure with an elongated opening formed at its center along its length. Therefore, the gas 4 is allowed to flow from the gas inlet 3 to the gas outlet 5 through the elongated opening. In other words, the elongated opening of the shaftless screw conveyor 7 is positioned along the axis of rotation of the shaftless screw conveyor 7. The gas entering the gas pipeline system 1 can flow through the elongated opening, and only a limited amount of gas or a portion of the gas flows around the fixed or rotating blades of the shaftless screw conveyor 7. The shaftless screw conveyor 7 can be rotated by the motor 14. The rotation of the shaftless screw conveyor 7 causes the solid material 8 to be scraped from the inner surface 9 of the straight portion 6 after the solid material 8 carried by the gas 4 into the at least one tube 2 accumulates on the inner surface 9. The rotation of the shaftless screw conveyor 7 further causes the scraped solid material 8 to be conveyed toward the solid material outlet 25. The solid material outlet 25 is separated from the gas outlet 5. The scraping of the solid material 8 by the shaftless screw conveyor 7 can further cause at least a portion of the scraped solid material 8 to be conveyed again by the gas 4 in the downstream direction. The gas pipeline system 1 may include a plurality of solid material outlets between the gas inlet 3 and the gas outlet 5. Typically, the shaftless screw conveyor 7 rotates in only one direction to convey the scraped solid material 8 in the downstream direction. The motor 14 is typically arranged outside or outside of at least one tube 2, but adjacent to at least one tube 2. The advantage of using the shaftless screw conveyor 7 is that the gas 4 can flow through the elongated opening of the shaftless screw conveyor 7 even after a large amount of solid material 8 has accumulated on the inner surface 9 of at least one tube 2, and regardless of whether the scraping system 1 is running. Therefore, by means of the shaftless screw conveyor 7, the operating time required for the scraping system 1 can be shortened.
[0057] The diameter of the shaftless screw conveyor 7 is approximately the same as but slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the at least one tube 2. The difference between the inner diameter of the tube 2 and the diameter of the shaftless screw conveyor 7 may be in the range between 1 mm and 10 mm, for example.
[0058] Therefore, the unit is configured so that while the gas 4 flows from the gas inlet 3 to the gas outlet 5 via the elongated opening, after the solid material 8 carried by the gas 4 into at least one tube 2 accumulates on the inner surface 9 of the straight portion 6, the solid material 8 is scraped from the inner surface 9 by means of the shaftless screw conveyor 7, and the scraped solid material 8 is conveyed toward the solid material outlet 25 and / or the scraped solid material 8 is allowed to be conveyed again by the gas 4 in the downstream direction.
[0059] The gas pipeline system 1 generally comprises a heating system (not shown) which is capable of heating at least a portion of at least one tube 2. The heating system may be, for example, an electric heating system. The heating system is generally arranged outside the at least one tube 2 and is capable of heating the wall of the at least one tube 2, such as Figure 3 shown.
[0060] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of another gas pipeline system 1 according to at least some embodiments of the present invention is shown. The gas pipeline system 1 comprises the above combined Figure 3 Features described. In addition, the gas pipeline system 1 comprises a heating system 10, for example an electric heating system. The heating system 10 is arranged in the housing 31, but outside the at least one tube 2 and is capable of heating a wall 27 of at least a portion of the at least one tube 2. The heating system 10 is arranged between the at least one tube 2 and an insulation 28 arranged in the housing 31. The temperature in the at least one tube 2 can be adjusted by means of the heating system 10. For example, the heating system 10 can be capable of raising the temperature in the at least one tube 2 from the ambient temperature to a temperature in the range between 200° C. and 500° C., for example in the range between 400° C. and 500° C., by heating the wall 27.
[0061] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of an apparatus 29 according to at least some embodiments of the present invention is shown. The apparatus comprises at least a reactor 22 and a gas pipeline system 1. The reactor 22 involves a gas entrained with solids. For example, polymer waste can be treated by pyrolysis, that is, by thermally decomposing polymer waste at high temperature in the absence of oxygen or a small amount of oxygen to avoid combustion to form hydrocarbons, so as to obtain an intermediate product containing gas from at least partially pyrolyzed polymer waste. This treatment can be carried out, for example, in a reactor 22 (such as a rotary kiln reactor), into which the polymer waste is fed. Then, the intermediate product containing the gas from at least partially pyrolyzed polymer waste can be guided away from the reactor 22 via the gas pipeline system 1, for example, to a washing and condensing unit 30. The gas can be transported from the reactor 22 through the gas pipeline system 1 towards the washing and condensing unit 30 in the form of very small and light particles or dust. Various forms of reactors 22 and washing and condensing units 30 are known per se.
[0062] The device 29 shown includes, for example, a reactor 22 for treating polymer waste, as described above in conjunction with Figure 3 and Figure 4 The gas pipeline system 1 and the washing and condensing unit 30 for obtaining the liquid product. Of course, for example, the above combination can also be used alternatively. Figure 1 or Figure 2The gas pipe system 1 is described. The gas pipe system 1 is coupled to both the reactor 22 and the scrubbing and condensing unit 30. In particular, the gas inlet 3 is coupled to the reactor 22 and the gas outlet 5 is coupled to the scrubbing and condensing unit 30.
[0063] In order for the gas pipe system 1 to function as intended when implemented to the pyrolysis reactor 22, for example as a gas delivery line, it is necessary to take into account the presence of a pressure buildup at the unit from which the gas 4 is delivered. In this case, it is necessary that there are no disturbances in the gas pressure between the gas inlet and the gas outlet in the gas pipe system 1, respectively. The present invention allows to maintain an open straight gas channel inside the gas pipe system 1 along the entire length, so that the gas 4 can flow through uninterruptedly and solid deposits can be removed at the same time.
[0064] By arranging the gas pipeline system 1 between the reactor 22 and the scrubbing and condensing unit 30, the accumulation of solid material on the inner surface of at least one tube can be avoided or at least reduced. As a result, it is no longer necessary to stop the operation of the reactor 22, to cool down the reactor 22 and the gas pipeline system 1, to disassemble the gas pipeline system 1, to clean the gas pipeline system 1 with water using a pressure cleaner, to reassemble the gas pipeline system 1, and then to heat the reactor 22 and the gas pipeline system 1 to a sufficient temperature before the operation of the reactor 22 can continue, or at least the frequency of such processes can be reduced. In other words, the operating time of the device 29 using the gas pipeline system 1 can be increased. The gas pipeline system 1 further reduces the amount of solid material 8 scrubbed from the gas by the scrubbing and condensing unit 30.
[0065] The heating system comprised by the gas pipe system 1 also prevents condensation of gas within the gas pipe system 1 arranged before the scrubbing and condensing unit 30. Furthermore, due to the heating, accumulation of sticky solid material on the inner surface of the at least one pipe is reduced.
[0066] It should be understood that the embodiments of the present invention disclosed are not limited to the specific structures, process steps or materials disclosed herein, but are extended to equivalents thereof that can be recognized by those skilled in the relevant art. It should also be understood that the terms used herein are only used for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to be limiting.
[0067] Reference to one embodiment or embodiments throughout the specification means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in conjunction with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. Thus, the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" appearing in various places throughout this specification do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiment. Where a value is referred to using terms such as, for example, about or substantially, the exact value is also disclosed.
[0068] As used herein, for convenience, multiple items, structural elements, constituent elements and / or materials may be presented in a common list. However, these lists should be interpreted as each member in the list being individually identified as an independent and unique member. Therefore, in the absence of an indication to the contrary, any single member in such a list should not be interpreted as a de facto equivalent of any other member in the same list based solely on its presentation in a common group. In addition, various embodiments and examples of the present invention may be mentioned herein together with alternatives to its various components. It should be understood that such embodiments, examples and alternatives should not be interpreted as de facto equivalents to each other, but should be regarded as separate and autonomous representations of the present invention.
[0069] In addition, the described features, structures or characteristics may be combined in one or more embodiments in any suitable manner. In the description, many specific details, such as examples of length, width, shape, etc., are provided to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the present invention. However, those skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the present invention may be practiced without one or more specific details or using other methods, components, materials, etc. In other cases, well-known structures, materials or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the present invention.
[0070] Although the foregoing examples illustrate the principles of the present invention in one or more specific applications, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that many modifications may be made in form, use and implementation details without exercising inventive power and without departing from the principles and concepts of the present invention. Therefore, it is not intended to limit the present invention except as limited by the claims set forth.
[0071] The verbs "comprise" and "include" are used in this document as open limitations that neither exclude nor require nor are there unrecited features. Unless explicitly stated otherwise, the features recited in the dependent claims are mutually freely combinable. Furthermore, it will be understood that the use of "a" or "an" (i.e. the singular) throughout this document does not exclude a plurality.
[0072] Industrial Applicability
[0073] At least some embodiments of the present invention find industrial application in polymer waste processing.
[0074] Reference Numbers List
[0075] 1 Gas pipeline system
[0076] 2 tubes
[0077] 3 Gas inlet
[0078] 4 Gas
[0079] 5 Gas outlet
[0080] 6 Straight section
[0081] 7 Shaftless Screw Conveyor
[0082] 8 Solid materials
[0083] 9 Inner surface
[0084] 10 Heating system
[0085] 11 Mobile mechanism
[0086] 12 Scraping system
[0087] 13 First round
[0088] 14 Motor
[0089] 15 Second round
[0090] 16 Driving pulley structure
[0091] 17 First Plate
[0092] 18 First Opening
[0093] 19 Second set
[0094] 20 Second Opening
[0095] 21 Hollow structure
[0096] 22 Reactor
[0097] 23 First End
[0098] 24 Second End
[0099] 25 First solid material outlet
[0100] 26 Second solid material outlet
[0101] 27 wall
[0102] 28 Insulator
[0103] 29 Installation
[0104] 30 Scrubbing and condensing unit
[0105] 31 Shell
Claims
1. A gas pipeline system (1), comprising: at least one tube (2) having a gas inlet (3) for a gas (4) and a gas outlet (5) for the gas (4), wherein the at least one tube (2) comprises a straight portion (6) along at least a portion of the distance between the gas inlet (3) and the gas outlet (5), at least one solid material outlet (25, 26), which is comprised by the at least one tube (2), wherein the at least one solid material outlet (25, 26) is separated from the gas outlet (5), It is characterized in that - a unit comprising at least one scraping system (12), wherein: o The at least one scraping system (12) comprises a rotatable shaftless screw conveyor (7), wherein the at least one scraping system (12) is coupled to a first moving mechanism (11) capable of rotating the shaftless screw conveyor (7), or o the at least one scraping system (12) comprises a first plate (17) having a first opening (18), a second plate (19) having a second opening (20) and a hollow structure (21) arranged between the first plate (17) and the second plate (19), wherein the at least one scraping system (12) is coupled to a second moving mechanism capable of moving the scraping system (12) along the straight portion (6), - wherein the unit is at least partially arranged inside the at least one tube (2), wherein the unit is configured to simultaneously: o allowing the gas (4) to flow from the gas inlet (3) through the at least one scraping system (12) to the gas outlet (5), o after solid material (8) carried by the gas (4) into the at least one tube (2) has accumulated on the inner surface (9) of the straight portion (6), scraping the solid material (8) from the inner surface (9) by movement of the at least one scraping system (12), and o The scraped solid material (8) is conveyed towards the at least one solid material outlet (25, 26) by the movement of the at least one scraping system (12).
2. The gas pipeline system (1) according to claim 1, wherein: The gas conduit system (1) is configured to be coupled to a reactor (22), and the gas contains entrained solid material (8).
3. The gas pipeline system (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The gas conduit system (1) is configured to be coupled to a reactor (22), and the gas (4) comprises gas from at least partially pyrolyzed polymer waste.
4. The gas pipeline system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The gas pipeline system (1) comprises a heating system (10) capable of heating at least a portion of the at least one pipe (2).
5. The gas pipeline system (1) according to claim 1, wherein: The movement mechanism (11) enables the at least one scraping system (12) to be moved in a first direction along the straight portion (6) and then in an opposite second direction, or to be moved continuously along a loop.
6. The gas pipeline system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: The second moving mechanism (11) further comprises: a first wheel (13) arranged at a first end of the at least one tube (2), wherein the first wheel (13) is configured to be driven by a motor (14), - a second wheel (15) arranged at the second end of said at least one tube (2), and - A drive pulley structure (16) coupled to the scraping system (12) and arranged to move in two directions around the first wheel (13) and the second wheel (15).
7. The gas pipeline system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The second moving mechanism (11) comprises a plurality of electromagnets distributed along the at least one tube (2), and the scraping system (2) is at least partially made of magnetic material.
8. A device (29), comprising: - a reactor (22); as well as - A gas pipeline system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, - wherein the gas pipe system (1) is coupled to the reactor (22).
9. Use of a gas conduit system according to any one of claims 1 to 7 in combination with a system comprising a reactor (22).
10. A method of operating a gas pipeline system (1), the method comprising: - providing at least one tube (2) having a gas inlet (3) for a gas (4) and a gas outlet (5) for the gas (4), wherein the at least one tube (2) comprises a straight portion (6) along at least a portion of the distance between the gas inlet (3) and the gas outlet (5), and - providing at least one solid material outlet (25, 26), said at least one solid material outlet (25, 26) being comprised by said at least one tube (2), wherein said at least one solid material outlet (25, 26) is separated from said gas outlet, It is characterized in that - a unit comprising at least one scraping system (12) is arranged at least partially inside the at least one tube (2), wherein o The at least one scraping system (12) comprises a rotatable shaftless screw conveyor (7), wherein the at least one scraping system (12) is coupled to a first moving mechanism (11) capable of rotating the shaftless screw conveyor (7), or o the at least one scraping system (12) comprises a first plate (17) having a first opening (18), a second plate (19) having a second opening (20) and a hollow structure (21) arranged between the first plate (17) and the second plate (19), wherein the at least one scraping system (12) is coupled to a second moving mechanism (11) capable of moving the scraping system (12) along the straight portion (6), and - by means of the unit, while the gas (4) flows from the gas inlet (3) through the at least one scraping system (12) to the gas outlet (5), after the solid material (8) carried by the gas (4) into the at least one tube (2) accumulates on the inner surface (9) of the straight portion (6), the solid material (8) is scraped from the inner surface (9) by the movement of the at least one scraping system (12), and the scraped solid material (8) is conveyed toward the at least one solid material outlet (25, 26) by the movement of the at least one scraping system (12).
11. The method according to claim 10, wherein: The method further comprises: - connecting the gas pipe system (1) to the reactor (22), and - Connecting the gas pipe system (1) to a scrubbing and condensing unit (30).
12. The method according to claim 10 or 11, wherein: The gas (4) comprises gas from at least partially pyrolyzed polymer waste.
13. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein: The method further comprises heating at least a portion of the at least one tube (2) by means of a heating system (10).