Carbonization device and carbonization method

Abstract

A carbonization treatment section 10 includes a cylindrical carbonization furnace 11 in which at least its inner bottom surface is formed into an arc surface, a carbonization furnace rotation shaft 12 placed in a carbonization furnace of the cylindrical carbonization furnace 11, a carbonization furnace motor 13 which rotates and drives the carbonization furnace rotation shaft 12, and carbonization furnace oblique blades 14 rotated by the carbonization furnace rotation shaft 12, and the organic material supplied from carbonization furnace one end of the cylindrical carbonization furnace 11 into the carbonization furnace is discharged from the carbonization furnace other end of the cylindrical carbonization furnace 11 by the rotating carbonization furnace oblique blades 14, the superheated steam having a temperature of 300°C or higher is supplied into the carbonization furnace, and the superheated steam supplied into the carbonization furnace is discharged from the carbonization furnace one end at 120°C or higher. According to this, it is possible to provide a carbonization treatment apparatus and a carbonization treatment method for carbonizing an organic material using superheated steam as a heat source.

Description

[TECHNICAL FIELD]

[0001] The present invention relates to a carbonization treatment apparatus and a carbonization treatment method for carbonizing organic material using superheated steam.[BACKGROUND TECHNIQUE]

[0002] Patent document 1 proposes an apparatus which transfers a processing object by a feed screw, and which injects superheated steam from the feed screw to continuously carbonize the processing object.[PRIOR ART DOCUMENT][PATENT DOCUMENT][Patent Document 1]

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No.11-223476[SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION][PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION]

[0004] However, according to the patent document 1, the processing object is heated by high temperature combustion gas from outside of a processing cylinder which transfers the processing object.

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide a carbonization treatment apparatus and a carbonization treatment method for carbonizing an organic material using superheated steam as a heat source.[MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEM]

[0006] In an invention described in claim 1 provides a carbonization treatment apparatus for carbonizing an organic material using superheated steam, a carbonization treatment section 10 includes a cylindrical carbonization furnace 11 in which at least its inner bottom surface is formed into an arc surface, a carbonization furnace rotation shaft 12 placed in a carbonization furnace of the cylindrical carbonization furnace 11, a carbonization furnace motor 13 which rotates and drives the carbonization furnace rotation shaft 12, and carbonization furnace oblique blades 14 rotated by the carbonization furnace rotation shaft 12, and the organic material supplied from carbonization furnace one end of the cylindrical carbonization furnace 11 into the carbonization furnace is discharged from the carbonization furnace other end of the cylindrical carbonization furnace 11 by the rotating carbonization furnace oblique blades 14, the superheated steam having a temperature of 300°C or higher is supplied into the carbonization furnace, and the superheated steam supplied into the carbonization furnace is discharged from the carbonization furnace one end at 120°C or higher.

[0007] According to an invention described in claim 2, in the carbonization treatment apparatus described in claim 1, an inclination angle of the carbonization furnace oblique blade 14 formed with respect to an axial direction 12s of the carbonization furnace rotation shaft 12 is in a range between 30° and 60°.

[0008] According to an invention described in claim 3, in the carbonization treatment apparatus described in claim 1, the plurality of carbonization furnace oblique blades 14 are arranged in a longitudinal direction of the carbonization furnace rotation shaft 12 at a predetermined pitch T, and adjacent carbonization furnace oblique blades 14 are placed in a different radial direction 12r with respect to the carbonization furnace rotation shaft 12.

[0009] According to an invention described in claim 4, in the carbonization treatment apparatus described in claim 3, a longitudinal blade length 14H of the carbonization furnace rotation shaft 12 of the carbonization furnace oblique blade 14 is made longer than the predetermined pitch T.

[0010] According to an invention described in claim 5, in the carbonization treatment apparatus described in claim 3, when a carbonization furnace oblique blade 14A, a carbonization furnace oblique blade 14B and a carbonization furnace oblique blade 14C are arranged in this order as the carbonization furnace oblique blades 14 from upstream of a moving direction of the organic material, the carbonization furnace oblique blade 14B is placed in the radial direction 12r deviated from the carbonization furnace oblique blade 14A by 120° in a reverse rotational direction of the carbonization furnace rotation shaft 12, and the carbonization furnace oblique blade 14C is placed in the radial direction 12r deviated from the carbonization furnace oblique blade 14B by 120° in the reverse rotational direction of the carbonization furnace rotation shaft 12.

[0011] According to an invention described in claim 6, in the carbonization treatment apparatus described in claim 1, the carbonization furnace oblique blades 14 are mounted on a tip end of a carbonization furnace blade-connecting piece 16 extending in the radial direction 12r of the carbonization furnace rotation shaft 12 from the carbonization furnace rotation shaft 12, a radial blade length 14j of the carbonization furnace oblique blade 14 is made smaller than a radial connecting piece length 16j of the carbonization furnace blade-connecting piece 16, and a blade width 14k of the carbonization furnace oblique blade 14 is made greater than a connecting piece width 16k of the carbonization furnace blade-connecting piece 16.

[0012] According to an invention described in claim 7, in the carbonization treatment apparatus described in claim 1, the carbonization treatment apparatus further includes a drying treatment section 20 for drying the organic material supplied to the carbonization treatment section 10, the drying treatment section 20 includes a cylindrical drying furnace 21 in which at least its inner bottom surface is formed into an arc surface, a drying furnace rotation shaft 22 placed in a drying furnace of the cylindrical drying furnace 21, a drying furnace motor 23 which rotates and drives the drying furnace rotation shaft 22, and drying furnace oblique blades 24 rotated by the drying furnace rotation shaft 22, the organic material supplied from the drying furnace one end of the cylindrical drying furnace 21 into the drying furnace is discharged from the drying furnace other end of the cylindrical drying furnace 21 by the rotating drying furnace oblique blade 24, the organic material discharged from the drying furnace other end is supplied from the carbonization furnace one end into the carbonization furnace, the superheated steam discharged from the carbonization furnace one end is supplied from the drying furnace other end into the drying furnace, and the superheated steam supplied into the drying furnace is discharged from the drying furnace one end.

[0013] According to an invention described in claim 8, in the carbonization treatment apparatus described in claim 7, an inclination angle of the drying furnace oblique blade 24 with respect to an axial direction of the drying furnace rotation shaft 22 is in a range between 30° and 60°.

[0014] According to an invention described in claim 9, in the carbonization treatment apparatus described in claim 7, the plurality of drying furnace oblique blades 24 are arranged at a predetermined pitch T in a longitudinal direction of the drying furnace rotation shaft 22, and adjacent drying furnace oblique blades 24 are placed in different radial directions 12r with respect to the drying furnace rotation shaft 22.

[0015] According to an invention described in claim 10, in the carbonization treatment apparatus described in claim 9, a longitudinal blade length 14H of the drying furnace rotation shaft 22 of the drying furnace oblique blade 24 is made longer than the predetermined pitch T.

[0016] According to an invention described in claim 11, in the carbonization treatment apparatus described in claim 9, when a drying furnace oblique blade 24A, a drying furnace oblique blade 24B and a drying furnace oblique blade 24C are arranged in this order as the drying furnace oblique blades 24 from upstream of a moving direction of the organic material, the drying furnace oblique blade 24B is placed in the radial direction 12r deviated from the drying furnace oblique blade 24A by 120° in a reverse rotational direction of the drying furnace rotation shaft 22, and the drying furnace oblique blade 24C is placed in the radial direction 12r deviated from the drying furnace oblique blade 24B by 120° in the reverse rotational direction of the drying furnace rotation shaft 22.

[0017] According to an invention described in claim 12, in the carbonization treatment apparatus described in claim 7, a temperature of the superheated steam discharged from the drying furnace one end is set to 120°C or higher.

[0018] According to an invention described in claim 13, in the carbonization treatment apparatus described in claim 7, the drying furnace one end includes a steam discharging section 26 for discharging the superheated steam, and an organic material supplying section 25 for supplying the organic material into the drying furnace, the steam discharging section 26 includes a draft space 26a connected to the drying furnace one end, a steam discharging cylinder 26b connected to an upper end of the draft space 26a, and a valve 26c for changing a passage area of the steam discharging cylinder 26b, and the superheated steam is not discharged from the organic material supplying section 25 by adjusting, by the valve 26c, an amount of the superheated steam which is naturally discharged from the steam discharging cylinder 26b.

[0019] According to an invention described in claim 14, in the carbonization treatment apparatus described in claim 7, the drying furnace oblique blade 24 is mounted on a tip end of a drying furnace blade-connecting piece extending from the drying furnace rotation shaft 22 in a radial direction 12r of the drying furnace rotation shaft 22, a radial blade length 14j of the drying furnace oblique blade 24 is made smaller than the radial connecting piece length 16j of the drying furnace blade-connecting piece, and a blade width 14k of the drying furnace oblique blade 24 is made greater than a connecting piece width 16k of the drying furnace blade-connecting piece.

[0020] According to an invention described in claim 15, in the carbonization treatment apparatus described in claim 1, the carbonization treatment apparatus further includes a drying treatment section 20 for drying the organic material supplied to the carbonization treatment section 10, and a first drying treatment section 20X and a second drying treatment section 20Y as the drying treatment section 20, the first drying treatment section 20X includes a first cylindrical drying furnace 21X in which at least its inner bottom surface is formed into an arc surface, a first drying furnace rotation shaft 22X placed in a first drying furnace of the first cylindrical drying furnace 21X, a first drying furnace motor 23X which rotates and drives the first drying furnace rotation shaft 22X, and first drying furnace oblique blades 24X rotated by the first drying furnace rotation shaft 22X, the second drying treatment section 20Y includes a second cylindrical drying furnace 21Y in which at least its inner bottom surface is formed into an arc surface, a second drying furnace rotation shaft 22Y placed in a second drying furnace of the second cylindrical drying furnace 21Y, a second drying furnace motor 23Y which rotates and drives the second drying furnace rotation shaft 22Y, and second drying furnace oblique blades 24Y rotated by the second drying furnace rotation shaft 22Y, the organic material supplied from the first drying furnace one end of the first cylindrical drying furnace 21X into the first drying furnace is discharged from the first drying furnace other end of the first cylindrical drying furnace 21X by the rotating first drying furnace oblique blades 24X, the organic material discharged from the first drying furnace other end is supplied from the second drying furnace one end into the second drying furnace, the organic material supplied into the second drying furnace is discharged from the second drying furnace other end of the second cylindrical drying furnace 21Y by the rotating second drying furnace oblique blades 24Y, the organic material discharged from the second drying furnace other end is supplied from the carbonization furnace one end into the carbonization furnace, the superheated steam discharged from the carbonization furnace one end is supplied from the second drying furnace other end into the second drying furnace, the superheated steam supplied into the second drying furnace is supplied from the first drying furnace other end into the first drying furnace, and the superheated steam supplied into the first drying furnace is discharged from the first drying furnace one end.

[0021] According to an invention described in claim 16, in the carbonization treatment apparatus described in claim 15, an inclination angle of the first drying furnace oblique blade 24X formed with respect to an axial direction of the first drying furnace rotation shaft 22X is in a range between 30° and 60°, and an inclination angle of the second drying furnace oblique blade 24Y formed with respect to an axial direction of the second drying furnace rotation shaft 22Y is in a range between 30° and 60°.

[0022] According to an invention described in claim 17, in the carbonization treatment apparatus described in claim 15, the plurality of first drying furnace oblique blades 24X are arranged in a longitudinal direction of the first drying furnace rotation shaft 22X at a predetermined pitch T, and adjacent first drying furnace oblique blades 24X are placed in different radial directions 12r with respect to the first drying furnace rotation shaft 22X, the plurality of second drying furnace oblique blades 24Y are arranged in a longitudinal direction of the second drying furnace rotation shaft 22Y at a predetermined pitch T, and adjacent second drying furnace oblique blades 24Y are placed in different radial directions 12r with respect to the second drying furnace rotation shaft 22Y.

[0023] According to an invention described in claim 18, in the carbonization treatment apparatus described in claim 17, a longitudinal blade length 14H of the first drying furnace rotation shaft 22X of the first drying furnace oblique blade 24X is made longer than the predetermined pitch T, and a longitudinal blade length 14H of the second drying furnace rotation shaft 22Y of the second drying furnace oblique blade 24Y is made longer than the predetermined pitch T.

[0024] According to an invention described in claim 19, in the carbonization treatment apparatus described in claim 17, when a first drying furnace oblique blade 24XA, a first drying furnace oblique blade 24XB and a first drying furnace oblique blade 24XC are arranged in this order as the first drying furnace oblique blades 24X from upstream of a moving direction of the organic material, the first drying furnace oblique blade 24XB is placed in the radial direction 12r deviated from the first drying furnace oblique blade 24XA by 120° in a reverse rotational direction of the drying furnace rotation shaft 22, the first drying furnace oblique blade 24XC is placed in the radial direction 12r deviated from the first drying furnace oblique blade 24XB by 120° in the reverse rotational direction of the drying furnace rotation shaft 22, and when a second drying furnace oblique blade 24YA, a second drying furnace oblique blade 24YB and a second drying furnace oblique blade 24YC are arranged in this order as the second drying furnace oblique blades 24Y from upstream of a moving direction of the organic material, the second drying furnace oblique blade 24YB is placed in the radial direction 12r deviated in the reverse rotational direction of the drying furnace rotation shaft 22 by 120° with respect to the second drying furnace oblique blade 24YA, and the second drying furnace oblique blade 24YC is placed in the radial direction 12r deviated in the reverse rotational direction of the drying furnace rotation shaft 22 by 120° with respect to the second drying furnace oblique blade 24YB.

[0025] According to an invention described in claim 20, in the carbonization treatment apparatus described in claim 15, a temperature of the superheated steam discharged from the first drying furnace one end is set to 120°C or higher.

[0026] According to an invention described in claim 21, in the carbonization treatment apparatus described in claim 15, the first drying furnace one end includes a steam discharging section 26 for discharging the superheated steam, and an organic material supplying section 25 for supplying the organic material into the drying furnace, the steam discharging section 26 includes a draft space 26a connected to the drying furnace one end, a steam discharging cylinder 26b connected to an upper end of the draft space 26a, and a valve 26c for changing a passage area of the steam discharging cylinder 26b, and the superheated steam is not discharged from the organic material supplying section 25 by adjusting, by the valve 26c, an amount of the superheated steam which is naturally discharged from the steam discharging cylinder 26b.

[0027] According to an invention described in claim 22, in the carbonization treatment apparatus described in claim 15, the first drying furnace oblique blade 24X is mounted on a tip end of the first drying furnace blade-connecting piece extending from the first drying furnace rotation shaft 22X in the radial direction 12r of the first drying furnace rotation shaft 22X, a radial blade length 14j of the first drying furnace oblique blade 24X is made smaller than a radial connecting piece length 16j of the first drying furnace blade-connecting piece, a blade width 14k of the first drying furnace oblique blade 24X is made greater than a connecting piece width 16k of the first drying furnace blade-connecting piece, the second drying furnace oblique blade 24Y is mounted on a tip end of the second drying furnace blade-connecting piece extending from the second drying furnace rotation shaft 22Y in the radial direction 12r of the second drying furnace rotation shaft 22Y, a radial blade length 14j of the second drying furnace oblique blade 24Y is made smaller than a radial connecting piece length 16j of the second drying furnace blade-connecting piece, and a blade width 14k of the second drying furnace oblique blade 24Y is made greater than a connecting piece width 16k of the second drying furnace blade-connecting piece.

[0028] According to a carbonization treatment method of an invention described in claim 23 using the carbonization treatment apparatus described in any one of claims 1 to 22, a water content ratio of the organic material supplied into the carbonization furnace is 10% or lower.

[0029] According to a carbonization treatment method of an invention described in claim 24 using the carbonization treatment apparatus described in any one of claims 7 to 14, rotation speed of the drying furnace motor 23 is made faster than that of the carbonization furnace motor 13.

[0030] According to a carbonization treatment method of an invention described in claim 25 using the carbonization treatment apparatus described in any one of claims 15 to 22, rotation speed of the second drying furnace motor 23Y is made faster than that of the carbonization furnace motor 13, and rotation speed of the first drying furnace motor 23X is made faster than that of the second drying furnace motor 23Y.

[0031] According to a carbonization treatment method of an invention described in claim 26 using the carbonization treatment apparatus described in any one of claims 15 to 22, the organic material supplied into the first drying furnace is powdery dry sludge obtained after dewatered sludge is dried.

[0032] According to a carbonization treatment method of an invention described in claim 27 using the carbonization treatment apparatus described in any one of claims 15 to 22, a temperature in the carbonization furnace is set to 300°C or higher, a temperature in the second drying furnace is set to 170°C or higher, and a temperature in the first drying furnace is set to 120°C or higher.

[0033] According to a carbonization treatment method of an invention described in claim 28 using the carbonization treatment apparatus described in any one of claims 15 to 22, a volume ratio of the organic material stored in the first drying furnace with respect to a volume in the first drying furnace is 25% or lower.[EFFECT OF THE INVENTION]

[0034] According to the carbonization treatment apparatus of the present invention, by flowing the superheated steam in a direction in which the organic material is supplied in the carbonization furnace, the organic material can efficiently be carbonized.[BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS]

[0035] Fig. 1 is a conceptual configuration diagram of a carbonization treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; Fig.2 is a conceptual configuration diagram of a carbonization treatment apparatus according to another embodiment of the invention; Figs.3 are diagrams showing carbonization furnace oblique blades described in Figs. 1 and 2; and Figs. 4 are perspective views showing the carbonization furnace oblique blades. [MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION]

[0036] In a carbonization treatment apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention, a carbonization treatment section includes a cylindrical carbonization furnace in which at least its inner bottom surface is formed into an arc surface, a carbonization furnace rotation shaft placed in a carbonization furnace of the cylindrical carbonization furnace, a carbonization furnace motor which rotates and drives the carbonization furnace rotation shaft, and carbonization furnace oblique blades rotated by the carbonization furnace rotation shaft, the organic material supplied from carbonization furnace one end of the cylindrical carbonization furnace into the carbonization furnace is discharged from the carbonization furnace other end of the cylindrical carbonization furnace by the rotating carbonization furnace oblique blades, the superheated steam having a temperature of 300°C or higher is supplied into the carbonization furnace, and the superheated steam supplied into the carbonization furnace is discharged from the carbonization furnace one end at 120°C or higher. According to this embodiment, it is possible to efficiently carbonize the organic material by flowing the superheated steam in a direction in which the organic material is supplied.

[0037] According to a second embodiment of the invention, in the carbonization treatment apparatus of the first embodiment, an inclination angle of the carbonization furnace oblique blade formed with respect to an axial direction of the carbonization furnace rotation shaft is in a range between 30° and 60°. If the inclination angle is smaller than 30°, an organic material is prone to be mounted on and attached to the carbonization furnace oblique blade, and if the inclination angle exceeds 60°, the organic material adversely remains between adjacent carbonization furnace oblique blades. If a distance between the adjacent carbonization furnace oblique blades is narrowed so that the organic material does not remain between the adjacent carbonization furnace oblique blades, since the number of carbonization furnace oblique blades is increased and the blade is increased in volume, flow of superheated steam is deteriorated, heat of the superheated steam is lost and efficiency of carbonization treatment is deteriorated. According to this embodiment, it is possible to reduce a degree of attachment of the organic material to the carbonization furnace oblique blade, and to flow the superheated steam efficiently.

[0038] According to a third embodiment of the invention, in the carbonization treatment apparatus of the first embodiment, the plurality of carbonization furnace oblique blades are arranged in a longitudinal direction of the carbonization furnace rotation shaft at a predetermined pitch, and adjacent carbonization furnace oblique blades are placed in a different radial direction with respect to the carbonization furnace rotation shaft. According to this embodiment, it is possible to efficiently move the organic material with the reduced number of carbonization furnace oblique blades, and it is possible to efficiently flow the superheated steam.

[0039] According to a fourth embodiment of the invention, in the carbonization treatment apparatus of the third embodiment, a longitudinal blade length of the carbonization furnace rotation shaft of the carbonization furnace oblique blade is made longer than the predetermined pitch. According to this embodiment, front ends of the carbonization furnace oblique blades which are adjacently placed downstream are located upstream of a rear end of the carbonization furnace oblique blade which is placed upstream. Therefore, the organic material does not remain between the adjacent carbonization furnace oblique blades.

[0040] According to a fifth embodiment of the invention, in the carbonization treatment apparatus of the third embodiment, when a carbonization furnace oblique blade A, a carbonization furnace oblique blade B and a carbonization furnace oblique blade C are arranged in this order as the carbonization furnace oblique blades from upstream of a moving direction of the organic material, the carbonization furnace oblique blade B is placed in the radial direction deviated from the carbonization furnace oblique blade A by 120° in a reverse rotational direction of the carbonization furnace rotation shaft, and the carbonization furnace oblique blade C is placed in the radial direction deviated from the carbonization furnace oblique blade B by 120° in the reverse rotational direction of the carbonization furnace rotation shaft. According to this embodiment, by deviating the respective carbonization furnace oblique blades from each other by 120°, it is possible to efficiently move the organic material with the reduced number of carbonization furnace oblique blades, and to flow the superheated steam efficiently.

[0041] According to a sixth embodiment of the invention, in the carbonization treatment apparatus of the first embodiment, the carbonization furnace oblique blades are mounted on a tip end of a carbonization furnace blade-connecting piece extending in a radial direction of the carbonization furnace rotation shaft from the carbonization furnace rotation shaft, a radial blade length of the carbonization furnace oblique blade is made smaller than a radial connecting piece length of the carbonization furnace blade-connecting piece, and a blade width of the carbonization furnace oblique blade is made greater than a connecting piece width of the carbonization furnace blade-connecting piece. According to this embodiment, it is possible to efficiently move the organic material and to flow the superheated steam efficiently.

[0042] According to a seventh embodiment of the invention, in the carbonization treatment apparatus of the first embodiment, the carbonization treatment apparatus further comprises a drying treatment section for drying the organic material supplied to the carbonization treatment section, the drying treatment section comprises a cylindrical drying furnace in which at least its inner bottom surface is formed into an arc surface, a drying furnace rotation shaft placed in a drying furnace of the cylindrical drying furnace, a drying furnace motor which rotates and drives the drying furnace rotation shaft, and drying furnace oblique blades rotated by the drying furnace rotation shaft, the organic material supplied from the drying furnace one end of the cylindrical drying furnace into the drying furnace is discharged from the drying furnace other end of the cylindrical drying furnace by the rotating drying furnace oblique blade, the organic material discharged from the drying furnace other end is supplied from the carbonization furnace one end into the carbonization furnace, the superheated steam discharged from the carbonization furnace one end is supplied from the drying furnace other end into the drying furnace, and the superheated steam supplied into the drying furnace is discharged from the drying furnace one end. According to this embodiment, by flowing the superheated steam in the direction in which the organic material is supplied in the drying furnace, it is possible to efficiently dry the organic material.

[0043] According to an eighth embodiment of the invention, in the carbonization treatment apparatus of the seventh embodiment, an inclination angle of the drying furnace oblique blade with respect to an axial direction of the drying furnace rotation shaft is in a range between 30° and 60°. According to this embodiment, if the inclination angle is smaller than 30°, an organic material is prone to be mounted on and attached to the drying furnace oblique blade, and if the inclination angle exceeds 60°, the organic material adversely remains between adjacent drying furnace oblique blades. If a distance between the adjacent drying furnace oblique blades is narrowed so that the organic material does not remain between the adjacent drying furnace oblique blades, since the number of drying furnace oblique blades is increased and the blade is increased in volume, flow of superheated steam is deteriorated, heat of the superheated steam is lost and efficiency of drying treatment is deteriorated. According to this embodiment, it is possible to reduce a degree of attachment of the organic material to the drying furnace oblique blade, and to flow the superheated steam efficiently.

[0044] According to a ninth embodiment of the invention, in the carbonization treatment apparatus of the seventh embodiment, the plurality of drying furnace oblique blades are arranged at a predetermined pitch in a longitudinal direction of the drying furnace rotation shaft, and adjacent drying furnace oblique blades are placed in different radial directions with respect to the drying furnace rotation shaft. According to this embodiment, it is possible to efficiently move the organic material with the reduced number of drying furnace oblique blades, and to flow the superheated steam efficiently.

[0045] According to a tenth embodiment of the invention, in the carbonization treatment apparatus of the ninth embodiment, a longitudinal blade length of the drying furnace rotation shaft of the drying furnace oblique blade is made longer than the predetermined pitch. According to this embodiment, front ends of the drying furnace oblique blades which are adjacently placed downstream are located upstream of a rear end of the drying furnace oblique blade which is placed upstream. Therefore, the organic material does not remain between the adjacent drying furnace oblique blades.

[0046] According to an eleventh embodiment of the invention, in the carbonization treatment apparatus of the ninth embodiment, when a drying furnace oblique blade A, a drying furnace oblique blade B and a drying furnace oblique blade C are arranged in this order as the drying furnace oblique blades from upstream of a moving direction of the organic material, the drying furnace oblique blade B is placed in the radial direction deviated from the drying furnace oblique blade A by 120° in a reverse rotational direction of the drying furnace rotation shaft, and the drying furnace oblique blade C is placed in the radial direction deviated from the drying furnace oblique blade B by 120° in the reverse rotational direction of the drying furnace rotation shaft. According to this embodiment, by deviating the respective drying furnace oblique blades from each other by 120°, it is possible to efficiently move the organic material with the reduced number of drying furnace oblique blades, and to flow the superheated steam efficiently.

[0047] According to a twelfth embodiment of the invention, in the carbonization treatment apparatus of the seventh embodiment, a temperature of the superheated steam discharged from the drying furnace one end is set to 120°C or higher. According to this embodiment, by setting the temperature of the discharged superheated steam to 120°C or higher, it is possible to prevent condensation of an organic material supplied to the drying furnace one end, and to efficiently perform the drying treatment.

[0048] According to a thirteenth embodiment of the invention, in the carbonization treatment apparatus of the seventh embodiment, the drying furnace one end includes a steam discharging section for discharging the superheated steam, and an organic material supplying section for supplying the organic material into the drying furnace, the steam discharging section includes a draft space connected to the drying furnace one end, a steam discharging cylinder connected to an upper end of the draft space, and a valve for changing a passage area of the steam discharging cylinder, and the superheated steam is not discharged from the organic material supplying section by adjusting, by the valve, an amount of the superheated steam which is naturally discharged from the steam discharging cylinder. According to this embodiment, flow of the naturally discharged superheated steam can be enhanced by the draft space. Further, an amount of the superheated steam which is naturally discharged is adjusted by the valve and the superheated steam is not discharged from the supplying section. According to this, it is possible to prevent the condensation of the organic material which is supplied from the organic material supplying section.

[0049] According to a fourteenth embodiment of the invention, in the carbonization treatment apparatus of the seventh embodiment, the drying furnace oblique blade is mounted on a tip end of a drying furnace blade-connecting piece extending from the drying furnace rotation shaft in a radial direction of the drying furnace rotation shaft, a radial blade length of the drying furnace oblique blade is made smaller than the radial connecting piece length of the drying furnace blade-connecting piece, and a blade width of the drying furnace oblique blade is made greater than a connecting piece width of the drying furnace blade-connecting piece. According to this embodiment, it is possible to efficiently move the organic material, and to efficiently flow the superheated steam.

[0050] According to a fifteenth embodiment of the invention, the carbonization treatment apparatus of the first embodiment further includes a drying treatment section for drying the organic material supplied to the carbonization treatment section, and a first drying treatment section and a second drying treatment section as the drying treatment section, the first drying treatment section includes a first cylindrical drying furnace in which at least its inner bottom surface is formed into an arc surface, a first drying furnace rotation shaft placed in a first drying furnace of the first cylindrical drying furnace, a first drying furnace motor which rotates and drives the first drying furnace rotation shaft, and first drying furnace oblique blades rotated by the first drying furnace rotation shaft, the second drying treatment section includes a second cylindrical drying furnace in which at least its inner bottom surface is formed into an arc surface, a second drying furnace rotation shaft placed in a second drying furnace of the second cylindrical drying furnace, a second drying furnace motor which rotates and drives the second drying furnace rotation shaft, and second drying furnace oblique blades rotated by the second drying furnace rotation shaft, the organic material supplied from the first drying furnace one end of the first cylindrical drying furnace into the first drying furnace is discharged from the first drying furnace other end of the first cylindrical drying furnace by the rotating first drying furnace oblique blades, the organic material discharged from the first drying furnace other end is supplied from the second drying furnace one end into the second drying furnace, the organic material supplied into the second drying furnace is discharged from the second drying furnace other end of the second cylindrical drying furnace by the rotating second drying furnace oblique blades, the organic material discharged from the second drying furnace other end is supplied from the carbonization furnace one end into the carbonization furnace, the superheated steam discharged from the carbonization furnace one end is supplied from the second drying furnace other end into the second drying furnace, the superheated steam supplied into the second drying furnace is supplied from the first drying furnace other end into the first drying furnace, and the superheated steam supplied into the first drying furnace is discharged from the first drying furnace one end. According to this embodiment, by flowing the superheated steam in the first and second drying furnaces in the direction in which the organic material is supplied, it is possible to efficiently dry the organic material.

[0051] According to a sixteenth embodiment of the invention, in the carbonization treatment apparatus of the fifteenth embodiment, an inclination angle of the first drying furnace oblique blade formed with respect to an axial direction of the first drying furnace rotation shaft is in a range between 30° and 60°, and an inclination angle of the second drying furnace oblique blade formed with respect to an axial direction of the second drying furnace rotation shaft is in a range between 30° and 60°. According to this embodiment, it is possible to reduce a degree of attachment of the organic material to the first and second drying furnace oblique blades, and it is possible to efficiently flow the superheated steam.

[0052] According to a seventeenth embodiment of the invention, in the carbonization treatment apparatus of the fifteenth embodiment, the plurality of first drying furnace oblique blades are arranged in a longitudinal direction of the first drying furnace rotation shaft at a predetermined pitch, adjacent first drying furnace oblique blades are placed in different radial directions with respect to the first drying furnace rotation shaft, the plurality of second drying furnace oblique blades are arranged in a longitudinal direction of the second drying furnace rotation shaft at a predetermined pitch, and adjacent second drying furnace oblique blades are placed in different radial directions with respect to the second drying furnace rotation shaft. According to this embodiment, it is possible to efficiently move the organic material with the reduced number of the first and second drying furnace oblique blades, and it is possible to efficiently flow the superheated steam.

[0053] According to an eighteenth embodiment of the invention, in the carbonization treatment apparatus of the seventeenth embodiment, a longitudinal blade length of the first drying furnace rotation shaft of the first drying furnace oblique blade is made longer than the predetermined pitch, and a longitudinal blade length of the second drying furnace rotation shaft of the second drying furnace oblique blade is made longer than the predetermined pitch. According to this embodiment, front ends of the first drying furnace oblique blades which are adjacently placed downstream are located upstream of a rear end of the first drying furnace oblique blade which is placed upstream. Therefore, the organic material does not remain between the adjacent first drying furnace oblique blades. Front ends of the second drying furnace oblique blades which are adjacently located downstream are located upstream of the rear end of the second drying furnace oblique blade which is placed upstream. Therefore, an organic material does not remain between the adjacent second drying furnace oblique blades.

[0054] According to a nineteenth embodiment of the invention, in the carbonization treatment apparatus of the seventeenth embodiment, when a first drying furnace oblique blade A, a first drying furnace oblique blade B and a first drying furnace oblique blade C are arranged as the first drying furnace oblique blades in this order from upstream in a moving direction of the organic material, the first drying furnace oblique blade B is placed in the radial direction deviated from the first drying furnace oblique blade A by 120° in a reverse rotational direction of the drying furnace rotation shaft, the first drying furnace oblique blade C is placed in the radial direction deviated from the first drying furnace oblique blade B by 120° in the reverse rotational direction of the drying furnace rotation shaft, and when a second drying furnace oblique blade A, a second drying furnace oblique blade B and a second drying furnace oblique blade C are arranged as the second drying furnace oblique blades in this order from upstream in a moving direction of the organic material, the second drying furnace oblique blade B is placed in the radial direction deviated in the reverse rotational direction of the drying furnace rotation shaft by 120° with respect to the second drying furnace oblique blade A, and the second drying furnace oblique blade C is placed in the radial direction deviated in the reverse rotational direction of the drying furnace rotation shaft by 120° with respect to the second drying furnace oblique blade B. According to this embodiment, by deviating the first drying furnace oblique blades from each other by 120°, the organic material can be moved efficiently with the reduced number of first drying furnace oblique blades, and it is possible to efficiently flow the superheated steam. Further, by deviating the second drying furnace oblique blades from each other by 120°, the organic material can be moved efficiently with the reduced number of second drying furnace oblique blades, and it is possible to efficiently flow the superheated steam.

[0055] According to a twentieth embodiment of the invention, in the carbonization treatment apparatus of the fifteenth embodiment, a temperature of the superheated steam discharged from the first drying furnace one end is set to 120°C or higher. According to this embodiment, by setting the temperature of the discharged superheated steam to 120°C or higher, it is possible to prevent condensation of an organic material supplied to the first drying furnace one end, and to efficiently perform the drying treatment.

[0056] According to a twenty-first embodiment of the invention, in the carbonization treatment apparatus of the fifteenth embodiment, the first drying furnace one end includes a steam discharging section for discharging the superheated steam, and an organic material supplying section for supplying the organic material into the drying furnace, the steam discharging section includes a draft space connected to the drying furnace one end, a steam discharging cylinder connected to an upper end of the draft space, and a valve for changing a passage area of the steam discharging cylinder, and the superheated steam is not discharged from the organic material supplying section by adjusting, by the valve, an amount of the superheated steam which is naturally discharged from the steam discharging cylinder. According to this embodiment, flow of naturally discharged superheated steam can be enhanced by the draft space. Further, an amount of the superheated steam which is naturally discharged is adjusted by the valve and the superheated steam is not discharged from the supplying section. According to this, it is possible to prevent the condensation of the organic material which is supplied from the supplying section.

[0057] According to a twenty-second embodiment of the invention, in the carbonization treatment apparatus of the fifteenth embodiment, the first drying furnace oblique blade is mounted on a tip end of the first drying furnace blade-connecting piece extending from the first drying furnace rotation shaft in the radial direction of the first drying furnace rotation shaft, a radial blade length of the first drying furnace oblique blade is made smaller than a radial connecting piece length of the first drying furnace blade-connecting piece, a blade width of the first drying furnace oblique blade is made greater than a connecting piece width of the first drying furnace blade-connecting piece, the second drying furnace oblique blade is mounted on a tip end of the second drying furnace blade-connecting piece extending from the second drying furnace rotation shaft in the radial direction of the second drying furnace rotation shaft, a radial blade length of the second drying furnace oblique blade is made smaller than a radial connecting piece length of the second drying furnace blade-connecting piece, and a blade width of the second drying furnace oblique blade is made greater than a connecting piece width of the second drying furnace blade-connecting piece. According to this embodiment, it is possible to efficiently move the organic material, and to efficiently flow the superheated steam.

[0058] According to a twenty-third embodiment of the invention, in a carbonization treatment method using the carbonization treatment apparatus described in any one of the first to twenty-second embodiments, a water content ratio of the organic material supplied into the carbonization furnace is 10% or lower. According to this embodiment, it is possible to enhance the efficiency of the carbonization treatment.

[0059] According to a twenty-fourth embodiment of the invention, in a carbonization treatment method using the carbonization treatment apparatus described in any one of the seventh to fourteenth embodiments, rotation speed of the drying furnace motor is made faster than that of the carbonization furnace motor. According to this embodiment, a reducing ratio of the organic material in the drying treatment section is greater than that of the carbonization treatment section. Therefore, it is possible to enhance the efficiency of the treatment by making the rotation speed of the drying furnace motor faster than that of the carbonization furnace motor.

[0060] According to a twenty-fifth embodiment of the invention, in a carbonization treatment method using the carbonization treatment apparatus described in any one of the fifteenth to twenty-second embodiments, rotation speed of the second drying furnace motor is made faster than that of the carbonization furnace motor, and rotation speed of the first drying furnace motor is made faster than that of the second drying furnace motor. According to this embodiment, the reducing ratio of an organic material in the second drying treatment section is greater than that of the carbonization treatment section and the reducing ratio of an organic material in the first drying treatment section is greater than that of the second drying treatment section. Therefore, it is possible to enhance the efficiency of the treatment by making the rotation speed of the second drying furnace motor faster than that of the carbonization furnace motor and making the rotation speed of the first drying furnace motor faster than that of the second drying furnace motor.

[0061] According to a twenty-sixth embodiment of the invention, in a carbonization treatment method using the carbonization treatment apparatus described in any one of the fifteenth to twenty-second embodiments, the organic material supplied into the first drying furnace is powdery dry sludge obtained after dewatered sludge is dried. According to this embodiment, it is possible to enhance the efficiency of the carbonization treatment.

[0062] According to a twenty-seventh embodiment of the invention, in a carbonization treatment method using the carbonization treatment apparatus described in any one of the fifteenth to twenty-second embodiments, a temperature in the carbonization furnace is set to 300°C or higher, a temperature in the second drying furnace is set to 170°C or higher, and a temperature in the first drying furnace is set to 120°C or higher. According to this embodiment, the carbonization treatment can reliably be performed by setting the temperature in the carbonization furnace to 300°C or higher, the drying efficiency can be enhanced while taking advantage of characteristics of the superheated steam by setting the temperature in the second drying furnace to 170°C or higher, and the drying efficiency can be enhanced by setting the temperature in the first drying furnace to 120°C or higher.

[0063] According to a twenty-eighth embodiment of the invention, in a carbonization treatment method using the carbonization treatment apparatus described in any one of the fifteenth to twenty-second embodiments, a volume ratio of the organic material stored in the first drying furnace with respect to a volume in the first drying furnace is 25% or lower. According to this embodiment, flow of the superheated steam is promoted, the superheated steam and the organic material are brought into sufficient contact with each other, and the drying treatment and the carbonization treatment can effectively be performed by the superheated steam.[EMBODIMENTS]

[0064] Carbonization treatment apparatuses according to embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0065] Fig. 1 is a conceptual configuration diagram of one of the carbonization treatment apparatuses according to one of the embodiments of the invention.

[0066] The carbonization treatment apparatus of this embodiment includes a carbonization treatment section 10 for carbonizing an organic material using superheated steam, a drying treatment section 20 for drying the organic material which is supplied to the carbonization treatment section 10, and a superheated steam generating apparatus 30 for generating the superheated steam.

[0067] The drying treatment section 20 is placed at a location higher than the carbonization treatment section 10. The carbonization treatment section 10 and the drying treatment section 20 are placed horizontally, but if they are inclined in a range between 1° and 5° such that a downstream side of the superheated steam becomes high, the superheated steam can naturally be discharged more excellently.

[0068] The carbonization treatment section 10 includes a cylindrical carbonization furnace 11 in which at least its inner bottom surface is formed into an arc surface, a carbonization furnace rotation shaft 12 which is placed in a carbonization furnace of the cylindrical carbonization furnace 11, a carbonization furnace motor 13 which rotates and drives the carbonization furnace rotation shaft 12, and carbonization furnace oblique blades 14 which are rotated by the carbonization furnace rotation shaft 12.

[0069] The drying treatment section 20 includes a cylindrical drying furnace 21 in which at least its inner bottom surface is formed into an arc surface, a drying furnace rotation shaft 22 which is placed in a drying furnace of the cylindrical drying furnace 21, a drying furnace motor 23 which rotates and drives the drying furnace rotation shaft 22, and drying furnace oblique blades 24 which are rotated by the drying furnace motor 23.

[0070] Drying furnace one end of the drying treatment section 20 includes a steam discharging section 26 for discharging superheated steam, and an organic material supplying section 25 for supplying an organic material into the drying furnace.

[0071] The steam discharging section 26 includes a draft space 26a connected to the drying furnace one end, a steam discharging cylinder 26b connected to an upper portion of the draft space 26a, and a valve 26c for changing a passage area of the steam discharging cylinder 26b.

[0072] The valve 26c adjusts an amount of the superheated steam which is naturally discharged from the steam discharging cylinder 26b so that the superheated steam is not discharged from the organic material supplying section 25. The draft space 26a can enhance the flow of naturally discharged superheated steam.

[0073] By adjusting the amount of naturally discharged superheated steam by the valve 26c and by not discharging the superheated steam from the supplying section in this manner, it is possible to prevent condensation of the organic material supplied from the organic material supplying section 25.

[0074] An organic material supplied from the drying furnace one end of the cylindrical drying furnace 21 into the drying furnace is discharged from the drying furnace other end of the cylindrical drying furnace 21 by the rotating drying furnace oblique blades 24. An organic material discharged from the drying furnace other end is supplied from the carbonization furnace one end of the carbonization treatment section 10 into the carbonization furnace. An organic material supplied from the carbonization furnace one end of the cylindrical carbonization furnace 11 into the carbonization furnace is discharged from the carbonization furnace other end of the cylindrical carbonization furnace 11 by the rotating carbonization furnace oblique blades 14. A discharge port 15 is formed in a lower portion of the carbonization furnace other end of the cylindrical carbonization furnace 11.

[0075] Superheated steam generated by the superheated steam generating apparatus 30 and having a temperature of 300°C or higher is supplied to the carbonization treatment section 10.

[0076] The superheated steam supplied to the carbonization treatment section 10 is supplied from the carbonization furnace one end to the cylindrical drying furnace 21. The superheated steam supplied into the carbonization furnace is discharged from the carbonization furnace one end at 120°C or higher.

[0077] Superheated steam supplied from the drying furnace other end of the cylindrical drying furnace 21 into the drying furnace is naturally discharged from the steam discharging cylinder 26b possessed by the drying furnace one end. As shown in Fig. 1, the carbonization treatment apparatus does not have an air blower or the like which forcibly discharges superheated steam.

[0078] As shown in the embodiment, by flowing superheated steam in a direction in which an organic material is supplied in the carbonization furnace of the carbonization treatment section 10 and in the drying furnace of the drying treatment section 20, it is possible to efficiently carbonize an organic material.

[0079] In the carbonization treatment apparatus shown in the embodiment, it is preferable that the treatment is performed while making the rotation speed of the drying furnace motor 23 faster than that of the carbonization furnace motor 13.

[0080] Since a reducing ratio of an organic material in the drying treatment section 20 is greater than that of the carbonization treatment section 10, if the rotation speed of the drying furnace motor 23 is made faster than that of the carbonization furnace motor 13, it is possible to enhance the treatment efficiency.

[0081] If a water content ratio of an organic material supplied into the carbonization furnace is made 10% or lower, more preferably 6% or smaller, it is possible to enhance the carbonization treatment efficiency.

[0082] Fig.2 is a conceptual configuration diagram of a carbonization treatment apparatus according to another embodiment of the invention.

[0083] The carbonization treatment apparatus of this embodiment includes a carbonization treatment section 10 for performing carbonization treatment of an organic material using superheated steam, a drying treatment section 20 for drying the organic material supplied to the carbonization treatment section 10, and a superheated steam generating apparatus 30 for generating superheated steam.

[0084] The carbonization treatment apparatus of this embodiment includes a first drying treatment section 20X and a second drying treatment section 20Y as the drying treatment section 20.

[0085] The first drying treatment section 20X is placed at a location higher than the second drying treatment section 20Y, and the second drying treatment section 20Y is placed at a location higher than the carbonization treatment section 10. The carbonization treatment section 10, the first drying treatment section 20X and the second drying treatment section 20Y are placed horizontally, but if they are inclined in a range between 1° and 5° such that a downstream side of the superheated steam becomes high, the superheated steam can naturally be discharged more excellently.

[0086] The carbonization treatment section 10 includes a cylindrical carbonization furnace 11 in which at least its inner bottom surface is formed into an arc surface, a carbonization furnace rotation shaft 12 which is placed in a carbonization furnace of the cylindrical carbonization furnace 11, a carbonization furnace motor 13 which rotates and drives the carbonization furnace rotation shaft 12, and carbonization furnace oblique blades 14 which are rotated by the carbonization furnace rotation shaft 12.

[0087] The first drying treatment section 20X includes a first cylindrical drying furnace 21X in which at least its inner bottom surface is formed into an arc surface, a first drying furnace rotation shaft 22X which is placed in the first drying furnace of the first cylindrical drying furnace 21X, a first drying furnace motor 23X which rotates and drives the first drying furnace rotation shaft 22X, and first drying furnace oblique blades 24X which are rotated by the first drying furnace motor 23X.

[0088] The second drying treatment section 20Y includes a second cylindrical drying furnace 21Y in which at least its inner bottom surface is formed into an arc surface, a second drying furnace rotation shaft 22Y which is placed in the second drying furnace of the second cylindrical drying furnace 21Y, a second drying furnace motor 23Y which rotates and drives the second drying furnace rotation shaft 22Y, and second drying furnace oblique blades 24Y which are rotated by the second drying furnace motor 23Y.

[0089] First drying furnace one end of the first drying treatment section 20X includes a steam discharging section 26 which discharges superheated steam, and an organic material supplying section 25 which supplies an organic material into the first drying furnace.

[0090] The steam discharging section 26 includes a draft space 26a connected to the first drying furnace one end, a steam discharging cylinder 26b connected to an upper portion of the draft space 26a, and a valve 26c for changing a passage area of the steam discharging cylinder 26b.

[0091] The valve 26c adjusts an amount of the superheated steam which is naturally discharged from the steam discharging cylinder 26b so that the superheated steam is not discharged from the organic material supplying section 25. The draft space 26a can enhance the flow of naturally discharged superheated steam.

[0092] By adjusting the amount of naturally discharged superheated steam by the valve 26c and by not discharging the superheated steam from the supplying section in this manner, it is possible to prevent condensation of the organic material supplied from the organic material supplying section 25.

[0093] An organic material supplied from the first drying furnace one end of the first cylindrical drying furnace 21X into the first drying furnace is discharged from the first drying furnace other end of the first cylindrical drying furnace 21X by the first drying furnace oblique blade 24X. An organic material discharged from the first drying furnace other end is supplied from the second drying furnace one end into the second drying furnace. An organic material supplied into the second drying furnace is discharged from the second drying furnace other end of the second cylindrical drying furnace 21Y by the rotating second drying furnace oblique blade 24Y. An organic material discharged from the second drying furnace other end is supplied from the carbonization furnace one end of the carbonization treatment section 10 into the carbonization furnace. An organic material supplied from the carbonization furnace one end of the cylindrical carbonization furnace 11 into the carbonization furnace is discharged from the carbonization furnace other end of the cylindrical carbonization furnace 11 by the rotating carbonization furnace oblique blade 14. A discharge port 15 is formed in a lower portion of the carbonization furnace other end of the cylindrical carbonization furnace 11.

[0094] Superheated steam generated by the superheated steam generating apparatus 30 and having a temperature of 300°C or higher is supplied to the carbonization treatment section 10.

[0095] The superheated steam supplied to the carbonization treatment section 10 is supplied from the carbonization furnace one end to the second cylindrical drying furnace 21Y. The superheated steam supplied into the carbonization furnace is discharged from the carbonization furnace one end at 120°C or higher.

[0096] Superheated steam supplied from the second drying furnace other end of the second cylindrical drying furnace 21Y into the second drying furnace is supplied from first drying furnace other end into the first drying furnace. The superheated steam supplied into the first drying furnace is naturally discharged from the steam discharging section 26 possessed by the first drying furnace one end. As shown in Fig. 2, the carbonization treatment apparatus does not have an air blower or the like which forcibly discharges superheated steam.

[0097] As shown in this embodiment, it is possible to efficiently carbonize an organic material by flowing superheated steam in a direction in which the organic material is supplied in the carbonization furnace of the carbonization treatment section 10, in the first drying furnace of the first drying treatment section 20X, and in the second drying furnace of the second drying treatment section 20Y.

[0098] In the carbonization treatment apparatus shown in this embodiment, it is preferable to perform the treatment by making rotation speed of the second drying furnace motor 23Y faster than the carbonization furnace motor 13 and by making rotation speed of the first drying furnace motor 23X faster than the second drying furnace motor 23Y.

[0099] A reducing ratio of an organic material in the second drying treatment section 20Y is greater than that in the carbonization treatment section 10, and a reducing ratio of an organic material in the first drying treatment section 20X is greater than that in the second drying treatment section 20Y. Therefore, it is possible to enhance the efficiency of the treatment by making the rotation speed of the second drying furnace motor 23Y faster than the carbonization furnace motor 13 and by making the rotation speed of the first drying furnace motor 23X faster than the second drying furnace motor 23Y.

[0100] In the carbonization treatment apparatus shown in this embodiment, it is preferable that an organic material supplied into the first drying furnace is powdery dry sludge obtained after dewatered sludge is dried, and efficiency of the carbonization treatment can be enhanced.

[0101] In the carbonization treatment apparatus shown in this embodiment, it is preferable to perform the treatment while setting a temperature in the carbonization furnace to 300°C or higher, setting a temperature in the second drying furnace to 170°C or higher, and setting a temperature in the first drying furnace to 120°C or higher.

[0102] The carbonization treatment can reliably be performed by setting the temperature in the carbonization furnace to 300°C or higher, the drying efficiency can be enhanced while taking advantage of characteristics of the superheated steam by setting the temperature in the second drying furnace to 170°C or higher, and the drying efficiency can be enhanced by setting the temperature in the first drying furnace to 120°C or higher.

[0103] In the carbonization treatment apparatus shown in this embodiment, the treatment is performed in a state where a volume ratio of an organic material stored in the first drying furnace with respect to a volume in the first drying furnace is 25% or lower. According to this, flow of superheated steam is facilitated, superheated steam and an organic material are brought into sufficient contact with each other, and it is possible to effectively perform the drying treatment and the carbonization treatment by the superheated steam. It is preferable to perform the treatments in a state where a volume ratio of an organic material stored in the first drying furnace with respect to a volume in the first drying furnace is 5% or smaller, a volume ratio of an organic material stored in the second drying furnace with respect to a volume in the second drying furnace is 10% or lower, and a volume ratio of an organic material stored in the carbonization furnace with respect to a volume in the carbonization furnace is 10% or lower.

[0104] By setting a water content ratio of an organic material supplied into the carbonization furnace to 10% or lower, more preferably 6% or smaller, it is possible to enhance the efficiency of the carbonization treatment.

[0105] Figs. 3 are diagrams showing the carbonization furnace oblique blades described in Figs.1 and 2, wherein Fig. 3(a) is a plan view of essential portions of the carbonization treatment section, and Fig. 3(b) is a side sectional view of the carbonization treatment section.

[0106] The drying furnace oblique blades 24 described in Fig. 1, and the first drying furnace oblique blades 24X and the second drying furnace oblique blades 24Y described in Fig. 2 have the same configurations as those of carbonization furnace oblique blades 14 described in Figs. 3. Therefore, description thereof will be omitted. The drying furnace oblique blades 24, the first drying furnace oblique blades 24X and the second drying furnace oblique blades 24Y correspond to carbonization furnace oblique blades 14, 14A, 14B and 14C, and a carbonization furnace blade-connecting piece corresponds to a carbonization furnace blade-connecting piece 16.

[0107] In Figs.3, an arrow M represents a rotating direction of the carbonization furnace rotation shaft 12, and an arrow L represents a moving direction of an organic material.

[0108] An angle of the carbonization furnace oblique blade 14 formed with respect to an axial direction 12s of the carbonization furnace rotation shaft 12 is in a range between 30° and 60°. It is preferable that the inclination angle of the carbonization furnace oblique blade 14 is in a range between 40° and 50°, and this inclination angle is 45° in this embodiment. If the inclination angle is smaller than 30°, an organic material is prone to be mounted on and attached to the carbonization furnace oblique blade 14, and if the inclination angle exceeds 60°, the organic material adversely remains between adjacent carbonization furnace oblique blades 14. If a distance between the adjacent carbonization furnace oblique blades 14 is narrowed so that the organic material does not remain between the adjacent carbonization furnace oblique blades 14, since the number of carbonization furnace oblique blades 14 is increased and the blade is increased in volume, flow of superheated steam is deteriorated, heat of the superheated steam is lost and efficiency of carbonization treatment is deteriorated. If the inclination angle of the carbonization furnace oblique blade 14 is in the range between 30° to 60°, more preferably in the range between 40° and 50°, it is possible to reduce a degree of attachment of the organic material to the carbonization furnace oblique blades 14, and to flow the superheated steam efficiently.

[0109] As shown in Fig. 3(a), the plurality of carbonization furnace oblique blades 14 are arranged in a longitudinal direction of the carbonization furnace rotation shaft 12 at a predetermined pitch T, and adjacent carbonization furnace oblique blades 14 are placed in a different radial direction 12r with respect to the carbonization furnace rotation shaft 12.

[0110] By arranging the plurality of carbonization furnace oblique blades 14 in this manner, it is possible to efficiently move an organic material by the reduced number of carbonization furnace oblique blades 14, and it is possible to efficiently flow superheated steam.

[0111] A longitudinal blade length 14H of the carbonization furnace rotation shaft 12 of the carbonization furnace oblique blade 14 is longer than the predetermined pitch T. By making the longitudinal blade length 14H longer than the predetermined pitch T, a front end 14Bf of a carbonization furnace oblique blade 14B which is adjacently placed downstream is located upstream of a rear end 14Ar of a carbonization furnace oblique blade 14A placed upstream. Therefore, an organic material does not remain between adjacent carbonization furnace oblique blades 14.

[0112] When the carbonization furnace oblique blade 14A, the carbonization furnace oblique blade 14B and a carbonization furnace oblique blade 14C are arranged in this order as the carbonization furnace oblique blades 14 from upstream in the moving direction of an organic material, the carbonization furnace oblique blade 14B is placed in the radial direction 12r deviated in a reverse rotational direction of the carbonization furnace rotation shaft 12 by 120° with respect to the carbonization furnace oblique blade 14A, and the carbonization furnace oblique blade 14C is placed in the radial direction 12r deviated in the reverse rotational direction of the carbonization furnace rotation shaft 12 by 120° with respect to the carbonization furnace oblique blade 14B.

[0113] By deviating the respective carbonization furnace oblique blades 14 in this order by 120° in the reverse rotational direction of the carbonization furnace rotation shaft 12, it is possible to move an organic material efficiently with the reduced number of carbonization furnace oblique blades 14, and to efficiently flow superheated steam.

[0114] Figs. 4 are perspective views showing the carbonization furnace oblique blades, wherein Figs.4(a) and 4(b) are perspective views as viewed from different directions.

[0115] The carbonization furnace oblique blades 14 are mounted on a tip end of a carbonization furnace blade-connecting piece 16 which extends from the carbonization furnace rotation shaft 12 in the radial direction 12r of the carbonization furnace rotation shaft 12.

[0116] A radial blade length 14j of the carbonization furnace oblique blade 14 is made smaller than a radial connecting piece length 16j of the carbonization furnace blade-connecting piece 16, and a blade width 14k of the carbonization furnace oblique blade 14 is made greater than a connecting piece width 16k of the carbonization furnace blade-connecting piece 16.

[0117] Therefore, it is possible to efficiently move an organic material, and to efficiently flow superheated steam.[INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY]

[0118] According to the present invention, it is possible to carbonize an organic material using superheated steam as a heat source.[EXPLANATION OF SYMBOLS]

[0119] 10carbonization treatment section 11cylindrical carbonization furnace 12carbonization furnace rotation shaft 12rradial direction 12saxial direction 13carbonization furnace motor 14, 14A, 14B, 14Ccarbonization furnace oblique blade 14Arrear end 14Bffront end 14jradial blade length 14kblade width 14Hlongitudinal blade length 15discharge port 16carbonization furnace blade-connecting piece 16jradial connecting piece length 16kconnecting piece width 20drying treatment section 20Xfirst drying treatment section 20Ysecond drying treatment section 21cylindrical drying furnace 21Xfirst cylindrical drying furnace 21Ysecond cylindrical drying furnace 22drying furnace rotation shaft 22Xfirst drying furnace rotation shaft 22Ysecond drying furnace rotation shaft 23drying furnace motor 23Xfirst drying furnace motor 23Ysecond drying furnace motor 24drying furnace oblique blade 24Xfirst drying furnace oblique blade 24Ysecond drying furnace oblique blade 25organic material supplying section 26steam discharging section 26adraft space 26bsteam discharging cylinder 26cvalve 30superheated steam generating apparatus Tpredetermined pitch αinclination angle

Claims

1. A carbonization treatment apparatus for carbonizing an organic material using superheated steam, wherein a carbonization treatment section comprises cylindrical carbonization furnace in which at least its inner bottom surface is formed into an arc surface, a carbonization furnace rotation shaft placed in a carbonization furnace of the cylindrical carbonization furnace, a carbonization furnace motor which rotates and drives the carbonization furnace rotation shaft, and carbonization furnace oblique blades rotated by the carbonization furnace rotation shaft, the organic material supplied from carbonization furnace one end of the cylindrical carbonization furnace into the carbonization furnace is discharged from the carbonization furnace other end of the cylindrical carbonization furnace by the rotating carbonization furnace oblique blades, the superheated steam having a temperature of 300°C or higher is supplied into the carbonization furnace, and the superheated steam supplied into the carbonization furnace is discharged from the carbonization furnace one end at 120°C or higher.

2. The carbonization treatment apparatus described in claim 1, wherein an inclination angle of the carbonization furnace oblique blade formed with respect to an axial direction of the carbonization furnace rotation shaft is in a range between 30° and 60°.

3. The carbonization treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of carbonization furnace oblique blades are arranged in a longitudinal direction of the carbonization furnace rotation shaft at a predetermined pitch, and adjacent carbonization furnace oblique blades are placed in a different radial direction with respect to the carbonization furnace rotation shaft.

4. The carbonization treatment apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a longitudinal blade length of the carbonization furnace rotation shaft of the carbonization furnace oblique blade is made longer than the predetermined pitch.

5. The carbonization treatment apparatus according to claim 3, wherein when a carbonization furnace oblique blade A, a carbonization furnace oblique blade B and a carbonization furnace oblique blade C are arranged in this order as the carbonization furnace oblique blades from upstream of a moving direction of the organic material, the carbonization furnace oblique blade B is placed in the radial direction deviated from the carbonization furnace oblique blade A by 120° in a reverse rotational direction of the carbonization furnace rotation shaft, and the carbonization furnace oblique blade C is placed in the radial direction deviated from the carbonization furnace oblique blade B by 120° in the reverse rotational direction of the carbonization furnace rotation shaft.

6. The carbonization treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the carbonization furnace oblique blades are mounted on a tip end of a carbonization furnace blade-connecting piece extending in a radial direction of the carbonization furnace rotation shaft from the carbonization furnace rotation shaft, a radial blade length of the carbonization furnace oblique blade is made smaller than a radial connecting piece length of the carbonization furnace blade-connecting piece, and a blade width of the carbonization furnace oblique blade is made greater than a connecting piece width of the carbonization furnace blade-connecting piece.

7. The carbonization treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the carbonization treatment apparatus further comprises a drying treatment section for drying the organic material supplied to the carbonization treatment section, the drying treatment section comprises a cylindrical drying furnace in which at least its inner bottom surface is formed into an arc surface, a drying furnace rotation shaft placed in a drying furnace of the cylindrical drying furnace, a drying furnace motor which rotates and drives the drying furnace rotation shaft, and drying furnace oblique blades rotated by the drying furnace rotation shaft, the organic material supplied from the drying furnace one end of the cylindrical drying furnace into the drying furnace is discharged from the drying furnace other end of the cylindrical drying furnace by the rotating drying furnace oblique blade, the organic material discharged from the drying furnace other end is supplied from the carbonization furnace one end into the carbonization furnace, the superheated steam discharged from the carbonization furnace one end is supplied from the drying furnace other end into the drying furnace, and the superheated steam supplied into the drying furnace is discharged from the drying furnace one end.

8. The carbonization treatment apparatus according to claim 7, wherein an inclination angle of the drying furnace oblique blade with respect to an axial direction of the drying furnace rotation shaft is in a range between 30° and 60°.

9. The carbonization treatment apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the plurality of drying furnace oblique blades are arranged at a predetermined pitch in a longitudinal direction of the drying furnace rotation shaft, and adjacent drying furnace oblique blades are placed in different radial directions with respect to the drying furnace rotation shaft.

10. The carbonization treatment apparatus according to claim 9, wherein a longitudinal blade length of the drying furnace rotation shaft of the drying furnace oblique blade is made longer than the predetermined pitch.

11. The carbonization treatment apparatus according to claim 9, wherein when a drying furnace oblique blade A, a drying furnace oblique blade B and a drying furnace oblique blade C are arranged in this order as the drying furnace oblique blades from upstream of a moving direction of the organic material, the drying furnace oblique blade B is placed in the radial direction deviated from the drying furnace oblique blade A by 120° in a reverse rotational direction of the drying furnace rotation shaft, and the drying furnace oblique blade C is placed in the radial direction deviated from the drying furnace oblique blade B by 120° in the reverse rotational direction of the drying furnace rotation shaft.

12. The carbonization treatment apparatus according to claim 7, wherein a temperature of the superheated steam discharged from the drying furnace one end is set to 120°C or higher.

13. The carbonization treatment apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the drying furnace one end includes a steam discharging section for discharging the superheated steam, and an organic material supplying section for supplying the organic material into the drying furnace, the steam discharging section includes a draft space connected to the drying furnace one end, a steam discharging cylinder connected to an upper end of the draft space, and a valve for changing a passage area of the steam discharging cylinder, and the superheated steam is not discharged from the organic material supplying section by adjusting, by the valve, an amount of the superheated steam which is naturally discharged from the steam discharging cylinder.

14. The carbonization treatment apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the drying furnace oblique blade is mounted on a tip end of a drying furnace blade-connecting piece extending from the drying furnace rotation shaft in a radial direction of the drying furnace rotation shaft, a radial blade length of the drying furnace oblique blade is made smaller than the radial connecting piece length of the drying furnace blade-connecting piece, and a blade width of the drying furnace oblique blade is made greater than a connecting piece width of the drying furnace blade-connecting piece.

15. The carbonization treatment apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a drying treatment section for drying the organic material supplied to the carbonization treatment section, and a first drying treatment section and a second drying treatment section as the drying treatment section, the first drying treatment section includes a first cylindrical drying furnace in which at least its inner bottom surface is formed into an arc surface, a first drying furnace rotation shaft placed in a first drying furnace of the first cylindrical drying furnace, a first drying furnace motor which rotates and drives the first drying furnace rotation shaft, and first drying furnace oblique blades rotated by the first drying furnace rotation shaft, the second drying treatment section includes a second cylindrical drying furnace in which at least its inner bottom surface is formed into an arc surface, a second drying furnace rotation shaft placed in a second drying furnace of the second cylindrical drying furnace, a second drying furnace motor which rotates and drives the second drying furnace rotation shaft, and second drying furnace oblique blades rotated by the second drying furnace rotation shaft, the organic material supplied from the first drying furnace one end of the first cylindrical drying furnace into the first drying furnace is discharged from the first drying furnace other end of the first cylindrical drying furnace by the rotating first drying furnace oblique blades, the organic material discharged from the first drying furnace other end is supplied from the second drying furnace one end into the second drying furnace, the organic material supplied into the second drying furnace is discharged from the second drying furnace other end of the second cylindrical drying furnace by the rotating second drying furnace oblique blades, the organic material discharged from the second drying furnace other end is supplied from the carbonization furnace one end into the carbonization furnace, the superheated steam discharged from the carbonization furnace one end is supplied from the second drying furnace other end into the second drying furnace, the superheated steam supplied into the second drying furnace is supplied from the first drying furnace other end into the first drying furnace, and the superheated steam supplied into the first drying furnace is discharged from the first drying furnace one end.

16. The carbonization treatment apparatus according to claim 15, wherein an inclination angle of the first drying furnace oblique blade formed with respect to an axial direction of the first drying furnace rotation shaft is in a range between 30° and 60°, and an inclination angle of the second drying furnace oblique blade formed with respect to an axial direction of the second drying furnace rotation shaft is in a range between 30° and 60°.

17. The carbonization treatment apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the plurality of first drying furnace oblique blades are arranged in a longitudinal direction of the first drying furnace rotation shaft at a predetermined pitch, adjacent first drying furnace oblique blades are placed in different radial directions with respect to the first drying furnace rotation shaft, the plurality of second drying furnace oblique blades are arranged in a longitudinal direction of the second drying furnace rotation shaft at a predetermined pitch, and adjacent second drying furnace oblique blades are placed in different radial directions with respect to the second drying furnace rotation shaft.

18. The carbonization treatment apparatus according to claim 17, wherein a longitudinal blade length of the first drying furnace rotation shaft of the first drying furnace oblique blade is made longer than the predetermined pitch, and a longitudinal blade length of the second drying furnace rotation shaft of the second drying furnace oblique blade is made longer than the predetermined pitch.

19. The carbonization treatment apparatus according to claim 17, wherein when a first drying furnace oblique blade A, a first drying furnace oblique blade B and a first drying furnace oblique blade C are arranged as the first drying furnace oblique blades in this order from upstream in a moving direction of the organic material, the first drying furnace oblique blade B is placed in the radial direction deviated from the first drying furnace oblique blade A by 120° in a reverse rotational direction of the drying furnace rotation shaft, the first drying furnace oblique blade C is placed in the radial direction deviated from the first drying furnace oblique blade B by 120° in the reverse rotational direction of the drying furnace rotation shaft, and when a second drying furnace oblique blade A, a second drying furnace oblique blade B and a second drying furnace oblique blade C are arranged as the second drying furnace oblique blades in this order from upstream in a moving direction of the organic material, the second drying furnace oblique blade B is placed in the radial direction deviated in the reverse rotational direction of the drying furnace rotation shaft by 120° with respect to the second drying furnace oblique blade A, and the second drying furnace oblique blade C is placed in the radial direction deviated in the reverse rotational direction of the drying furnace rotation shaft by 120° with respect to the second drying furnace oblique blade B.

20. The carbonization treatment apparatus according to claim 15, wherein a temperature of the superheated steam discharged from the first drying furnace one end is set to 120°C or higher.

21. The carbonization treatment apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the first drying furnace one end includes a steam discharging section for discharging the superheated steam, and an organic material supplying section for supplying the organic material into the drying furnace, the steam discharging section includes a draft space connected to the drying furnace one end, a steam discharging cylinder connected to an upper end of the draft space, and a valve for changing a passage area of the steam discharging cylinder, and the superheated steam is not discharged from the organic material supplying section by adjusting, by the valve, an amount of the superheated steam which is naturally discharged from the steam discharging cylinder.

22. The carbonization treatment apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the first drying furnace oblique blade is mounted on a tip end of the first drying furnace blade-connecting piece extending from the first drying furnace rotation shaft in the radial direction of the first drying furnace rotation shaft, a radial blade length of the first drying furnace oblique blade is made smaller than a radial connecting piece length of the first drying furnace blade-connecting piece, a blade width of the first drying furnace oblique blade is made greater than a connecting piece width of the first drying furnace blade-connecting piece, the second drying furnace oblique blade is mounted on a tip end of the second drying furnace blade-connecting piece extending from the second drying furnace rotation shaft in the radial direction of the second drying furnace rotation shaft, a radial blade length of the second drying furnace oblique blade is made smaller than a radial connecting piece length of the second drying furnace blade-connecting piece, and a blade width of the second drying furnace oblique blade is made greater than a connecting piece width of the second drying furnace blade-connecting piece.

23. A carbonization treatment method using the carbonization treatment apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 22, wherein a water content ratio of the organic material supplied into the carbonization furnace is 10% or lower.

24. A carbonization treatment method using the carbonization treatment apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 14, wherein rotation speed of the drying furnace motor is made faster than that of the carbonization furnace motor.

25. A carbonization treatment method using the carbonization treatment apparatus according to any one of claims 15 to 22, wherein rotation speed of the second drying furnace motor is made faster than that of the carbonization furnace motor, and rotation speed of the first drying furnace motor is made faster than that of the second drying furnace motor.

26. A carbonization treatment method using the carbonization treatment apparatus according to any one of claims 15 to 22, wherein the organic material supplied into the first drying furnace is powdery dry sludge obtained after dewatered sludge is dried.

27. A carbonization treatment method using the carbonization treatment apparatus according to any one of claims 15 to 22, wherein a temperature in the carbonization furnace is set to 300°C or higher, a temperature in the second drying furnace is set to 170°C or higher, and a temperature in the first drying furnace is set to 120°C or higher.

28. A carbonization treatment method using the carbonization treatment apparatus according to any one of claims 15 to 22, wherein a volume ratio of the organic material stored in the first drying furnace with respect to a volume in the first drying furnace is 25% or lower.

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