An integrated system for hydrogen production from bio-waste pyrolysis and catalytic reforming

Abstract

This utility model discloses an integrated system for hydrogen production from bio-waste pyrolysis and catalytic reforming. It includes a pretreatment module, a feed hopper, a pyrolysis reactor, a post-reformer, and a gas purification module connected in sequence. The pressure, temperature, and oxygen content are monitored and controlled in real time by a control module. The pretreatment module dehydrates and crushes the bio-waste. The feed hopper stores the bio-waste and discharges it into the pyrolysis reactor. The pyrolysis reactor has multiple heating sections for gradient pyrolysis of the bio-waste into biochar and pyrolysis steam in an anaerobic environment. The post-reformer is filled with a catalyst and catalytically reforms the pyrolysis steam to generate hydrogen-rich syngas, which is then discharged into the gas purification module. The gas purification module purifies the hydrogen-rich syngas to obtain pure hydrogen and pyrolysis oil. This system has a simple and compact structure, small footprint, and high thermal efficiency, providing an efficient solution for the resource utilization of bio-waste.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of waste resource utilization, specifically to an integrated system for hydrogen production from biological waste pyrolysis and catalytic reforming, which is particularly suitable for the efficient conversion and energy utilization of carbon-containing raw materials such as biomass waste and organic solid waste. Background Technology

[0002] Traditional biological waste treatment primarily employs incineration or landfill as harmless disposal methods. While these methods achieve waste volume reduction, they fail to effectively utilize the hydrocarbon resources contained within the waste. With the increasing demand for clean energy, pyrolysis technology has gained attention due to its ability to convert organic waste into usable energy products. However, existing pyrolysis systems typically separate the pyrolysis unit from subsequent processing units. This split structure not only occupies a large area but also easily leads to heat loss during material transfer. More importantly, the pyrolysis oil produced by conventional pyrolysis systems is of poor quality, with high oxygen content and insufficient stability, making it difficult to use directly as fuel. Furthermore, the hydrogen content in the gaseous products is limited, resulting in low overall resource conversion efficiency. In addition, the tar blockage problem commonly encountered during system operation severely affects the continuous operational stability of the equipment. Utility Model Content

[0003] The technical problem to be solved by this utility model is to provide an integrated system for hydrogen production from biological waste by pyrolysis and catalytic reforming, which addresses the shortcomings of existing technologies. This system has a simple and compact structure and a small footprint, effectively solving the technical problems of low space utilization and large heat loss in traditional systems, and providing an efficient solution for the resource utilization of biological waste.

[0004] The technical solution adopted by this utility model to solve the above-mentioned technical problems is as follows: an integrated system for hydrogen production from biological waste through pyrolysis and catalytic reforming, comprising a pretreatment module, a feed hopper, a pyrolysis reactor, a post-reformer, and a gas purification module connected in sequence. The pressure, temperature, and oxygen content of the pretreatment module, feed hopper, pyrolysis reactor, post-reformer, and gas purification module are monitored and controlled in real time by a control module. The pretreatment module is used to dehydrate and crush the biological waste. The feed hopper is used to store the pretreated biological waste and discharge it into the pyrolysis reactor. The pyrolysis reactor is equipped with multiple heating sections, which are used to gradient pyrolyze the biological waste into biochar and pyrolysis steam in an anaerobic environment, which are then discharged into the post-reformer. The post-reformer adopts a fixed-bed reactor design and is filled with a catalyst. The post-reformer is used to catalytically reform the pyrolysis steam under heating conditions to generate hydrogen-rich syngas, which is then discharged into the gas purification module. The gas purification module is used to purify the hydrogen-rich syngas to obtain pure hydrogen and pyrolysis oil.

[0005] This invention employs an integrated design, combining pyrolysis, catalytic reforming, and purification functions into a single system. This not only achieves efficient energy utilization of biological waste, producing high-quality hydrogen and stable pyrolysis oil, but also avoids heat loss during material transfer, effectively improving thermal energy utilization efficiency and reducing equipment investment and operating costs. The integrated system features a simple and compact structure with a small footprint, effectively solving the technical problems of low space utilization and large heat loss inherent in traditional systems, providing an efficient solution for the resource utilization of biological waste. This integrated system is particularly suitable for deployment in space-constrained locations, such as urban solid waste treatment centers or distributed energy stations. Furthermore, the modular design allows for flexible configuration based on processing scale, exhibiting excellent adaptability and scalability.

[0006] When this integrated system processes biological waste, the biochar obtained by gradient pyrolysis in its pyrolysis reactor has a catalytic effect. Therefore, the obtained biochar is discharged into the post-reformer along with the pyrolysis steam, and the biochar is directly used as part of the catalyst in the post-reformer, which can reduce material cost input and improve energy utilization efficiency.

[0007] The integrated system of this utility model is applicable to a wide range of biological wastes, including but not limited to sludge, plastics, sieve residues, biochemical activated sludge, horse manure, gasification furnace residues, chicken manure, papermaking sludge, lignin, digestate, coffee, diapers, sawdust particles, paint sludge, fruit shells, mill residues, and other carbon-containing biological wastes.

[0008] Preferably, the gas purification module includes a primary dust removal unit, a condenser, a multi-stage filtration system, a pressure swing adsorption unit, and a hydrogen storage tank connected in sequence. The primary dust removal unit is used to remove particulate matter from the hydrogen-rich synthesis gas. The condenser is used to cool the hydrogen-rich synthesis gas, collect the pyrolysis oil obtained from the condensation, and discharge the non-condensable gas into the multi-stage filtration system. The multi-stage filtration system is used to remove pollutants from the non-condensable gas to obtain purified synthesis gas. The pressure swing adsorption unit is used to separate pure hydrogen from the purified synthesis gas. The hydrogen storage tank is used to collect pure hydrogen.

[0009] Preferably, the bottom of the condenser is connected to an oil collection tank via a first valve, and the pressure swing adsorption unit is connected to the hydrogen storage tank via a second valve.

[0010] Preferably, the outer wall of the pyrolysis reactor is provided with multiple sets of electric heating tapes, and each heating section is equipped with one set of electric heating tapes.

[0011] Preferably, the catalyst is distributed throughout the cross-section of the post-reformer, and an openable baffle is provided at the bottom of the post-reformer. Below the baffle is a container for collecting the biochar and catalyst discharged from the post-reformer. After processing biological waste, the integrated system of this invention can open the baffle to discharge the degraded biochar and catalyst, which are then collected in the container.

[0012] Preferably, the feed hopper is filled with nitrogen gas, the feed hopper is connected to the inlet of the pyrolysis reactor via an inlet pipe, and the outlet of the pyrolysis reactor is connected to the inlet of the post-reformer via an outlet pipe.

[0013] Compared with existing technologies, this utility model has the following advantages: The integrated hydrogen production system for biological waste pyrolysis-catalytic reforming adopts an integrated design, combining pyrolysis, catalytic reforming, and purification functions into a single system. Its simple and compact structure and small footprint not only achieve efficient energy utilization of biological waste, producing high-quality hydrogen and stable pyrolysis oil, but also avoid heat loss during material transfer, effectively improving thermal energy utilization efficiency and reducing equipment investment and operating costs. This integrated system effectively solves the technical problems of low space utilization and large heat loss in traditional systems, providing an efficient solution for the resource utilization of biological waste. This integrated system is particularly suitable for deployment in space-constrained sites, such as urban solid waste treatment centers or distributed energy stations. Furthermore, the modular design of this integrated system facilitates flexible configuration according to processing scale, exhibiting excellent adaptability and scalability. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram showing the structural composition and connection of the integrated hydrogen production system from bio-waste pyrolysis-catalytic reforming in the embodiment.

[0015] Figure 1 The specific reference numerals in the attached figures are as follows:

[0016] 1-Feed hopper, 11-Inlet pipe, 2-Pyrolysis reactor, 21-Electric heating tape, 22-Outlet pipe, 3-Post-reformer, 31-Baffle, 32-Container, 41-Primary dust removal unit, 42-Condenser, 43-Multi-stage filtration system, 44-Pressure swing adsorption unit, 45-Hydrogen storage tank, 46-First valve, 47-Oil collection tank, 48-Second valve. Detailed Implementation

[0017] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. Modules, structures, or components not limited in the present invention all adopt conventional technical means in the art.

[0018] The integrated hydrogen production system for bio-waste pyrolysis-catalytic reforming, as shown in the figure, includes a pretreatment module (not shown), a feed hopper 1, a pyrolysis reactor 2, a post-reformer 3, and a gas purification module connected in sequence. The pressure, temperature, and oxygen content of the pretreatment module, feed hopper 1, pyrolysis reactor 2, post-reformer 3, and gas purification module are monitored and controlled in real time by a control module. The pretreatment module is used to dehydrate and crush the bio-waste. The feed hopper 1 is used to store the pretreated bio-waste and discharge it into the pyrolysis reactor 2. The pyrolysis reactor 2 has multiple heating sections, and multiple sets of electric heating tapes 21 are installed on the outer wall of the pyrolysis reactor 2. Each heating section is equipped with one set of electric heating tapes 21. Multiple heating sections are used to grade the bio-waste into biochar and pyrolysis steam in an anaerobic environment, which are then discharged into the post-reformer 3. The post-reformer 3 adopts a fixed-bed reactor design and is filled with catalyst. The catalyst is distributed throughout the cross-section of the interior of the post-reformer 3 to ensure sufficient contact between the pyrolysis steam and the catalyst. An openable baffle 31 is set at the bottom of the post-reformer 3, and a container 32 is set below the baffle 31. The container 32 is used to collect the biochar and catalyst discharged from the post-reformer 3. The post-reformer 3 is used to catalytically reform the pyrolysis steam under heating conditions to generate hydrogen-rich syngas, which is discharged into the gas purification module. The gas purification module is used to purify the hydrogen-rich syngas to obtain pure hydrogen and pyrolysis oil.

[0019] In this embodiment, the gas purification module includes a primary dust removal unit 41, a condenser 42, a multi-stage filtration system 43, a pressure swing adsorption (PSA) unit 44, and a hydrogen storage tank 45, which are connected in sequence. The primary dust removal unit 41 is used to remove particulate matter from the hydrogen-rich synthesis gas. The bottom of the condenser 42 is connected to an oil collection tank 47 via a first valve 46. The condenser 42 is used to cool the hydrogen-rich synthesis gas, collect the pyrolysis oil obtained from the condensation, and discharge the non-condensable gas into the multi-stage filtration system 43. The multi-stage filtration system 43 is used to remove pollutants from the non-condensable gas to obtain purified synthesis gas. The PSA unit 44 is connected to the hydrogen storage tank 45 via a second valve 48. The PSA unit 44 is used to separate pure hydrogen from the purified synthesis gas. The hydrogen storage tank 45 is used to collect the pure hydrogen. Specifically, the primary dust removal unit 41 can be a cyclone separator or a gas cyclone separator, etc., to remove particulate matter from the hydrogen-rich synthesis gas; the multi-stage filtration system 43 may include an ice bath, biodiesel, isopropanol, and acetone washing bottles.

[0020] In this embodiment, the feed hopper 1 is filled with nitrogen gas. The feed hopper 1 is connected to the inlet of the pyrolysis reactor 2 via the inlet pipe 11, and the outlet of the pyrolysis reactor 2 is connected to the inlet of the post-reformer 3 via the outlet pipe 22.

[0021] Using lignin as a biological waste, the aforementioned integrated system processes it, converting lignin into high-value pyrolysis oil, hydrogen, and char products. The working process of the integrated system is as follows:

[0022] 1) After the lignin is dehydrated to a certain extent through the pretreatment module, it is crushed to a particle size of less than 20mm;

[0023] 2) The crushed lignin is fed into the feed hopper 1 and discharged into the pyrolysis reactor 2. The temperature of multiple heating sections is gradually increased to 500℃, and the lignin is pyrolyzed into biochar and pyrolysis steam in an anaerobic environment.

[0024] 3) Biochar and pyrolysis steam are discharged into the post-reformer 3 (temperature set at 650-800℃). In the post-reformer 3, the pyrolysis steam is catalytically reformed under heating conditions, resulting in tar cracking and steam reforming reactions to generate hydrogen-rich synthesis gas.

[0025] 4) The hydrogen-rich syngas is discharged into the gas purification module. First, particulate matter in the hydrogen-rich syngas is removed by the primary dust removal unit 41, and then it enters the condenser 42 for cooling, resulting in pyrolysis oil and non-condensable gas. The pyrolysis oil obtained by condensation collects at the bottom of the condenser 42 under gravity and is discharged through the first valve 46 and collected by the oil collection tank 47. The non-condensable gas is discharged into the multi-stage filtration system 43, which removes aerosols, tar, and pollutants such as sulfur / chlorine / nitrogen compounds, resulting in purified syngas. The purified syngas is further separated into hydrogen by the pressure swing adsorption unit 44, and the pure hydrogen enters the hydrogen storage tank 45 through the second valve 48.

[0026] During the operation of the aforementioned integrated system, when the control module detects abnormal parameters, the control module automatically stops the feeding or venting of the system to ensure safe operation.

[0027] This utility model's integrated system realizes the efficient energy utilization of biological waste, effectively solving the technical problems of low space utilization and large heat loss in traditional systems, and providing an efficient solution for the resource utilization of biological waste.

Claims

1. An integrated system for hydrogen production from biological waste pyrolysis and catalytic reforming, characterized in that, The system comprises a pretreatment module, a feed hopper, a pyrolysis reactor, a post-reformer, and a gas purification module, which are sequentially connected. The pressure, temperature, and oxygen content of the pretreatment module, feed hopper, pyrolysis reactor, post-reformer, and gas purification module are monitored and controlled in real time by a control module. The pretreatment module is used to dehydrate and crush the biological waste. The feed hopper is used to store the pretreated biological waste and discharge it into the pyrolysis reactor. The pyrolysis reactor has multiple heating sections, which are used to perform gradient pyrolysis of the biological waste into biochar and pyrolysis steam in an anaerobic environment, which are then discharged into the post-reformer. The post-reformer adopts a fixed-bed reactor design and is filled with a catalyst. The post-reformer is used to catalytically reform the pyrolysis steam under heating conditions to generate hydrogen-rich syngas, which is then discharged into the gas purification module. The gas purification module is used to purify the hydrogen-rich syngas to obtain pure hydrogen and pyrolysis oil.

2. The integrated system for hydrogen production by pyrolysis-catalytic reforming of biological waste according to claim 1, characterized in that, The gas purification module includes a primary dust removal unit, a condenser, a multi-stage filtration system, a pressure swing adsorption unit, and a hydrogen storage tank connected in sequence. The primary dust removal unit is used to remove particulate matter from the hydrogen-rich synthesis gas. The condenser is used to cool the hydrogen-rich synthesis gas, collect the pyrolysis oil obtained from the condensation, and discharge the non-condensable gas into the multi-stage filtration system. The multi-stage filtration system is used to remove pollutants from the non-condensable gas to obtain purified synthesis gas. The pressure swing adsorption unit is used to separate pure hydrogen from the purified synthesis gas. The hydrogen storage tank is used to collect pure hydrogen.

3. The integrated system for hydrogen production from pyrolysis-catalytic reforming of biological waste according to claim 2, characterized in that, The bottom of the condenser is connected to an oil collection tank via a first valve, and the pressure swing adsorption unit is connected to the hydrogen storage tank via a second valve.

4. The integrated system for hydrogen production from pyrolysis-catalytic reforming of biological waste according to claim 1, characterized in that, The outer wall of the pyrolysis reactor is covered with multiple sets of electric heating tapes, and each heating section is equipped with one set of electric heating tapes.

5. The integrated system for hydrogen production from pyrolysis-catalytic reforming of biological waste according to claim 1, characterized in that, The catalyst is distributed throughout the cross-section of the interior of the post-reformer. The bottom of the post-reformer is provided with an openable baffle, and a container is provided below the baffle for collecting the biochar and catalyst discharged from the post-reformer.

6. The integrated system for hydrogen production from pyrolysis-catalytic reforming of biological waste according to claim 1, characterized in that, The feed hopper is filled with nitrogen gas. The feed hopper is connected to the inlet of the pyrolysis reactor via an inlet pipe. The outlet of the pyrolysis reactor is connected to the inlet of the post-reformer via an outlet pipe.

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