Gas piping system, device and usage method, and operating method of gas piping system

Abstract

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gas piping system (1) comprising at least one pipe (2) having a gas inlet (3) for a gas (4) and a gas outlet (5) for the gas (4), wherein the at least one pipe (2) has a straight portion (6) along at least a part of the distance between the gas inlet (3) and the gas outlet (5), and the gas piping system (1) comprises at least one solid matter outlet (25, 26) included in the at least one pipe (2) and a unit provided with at least one scraping system (12) connected to a moving mechanism (11), the unit being at least partially disposed within the at least one pipe (2), and the unit is configured to simultaneously flow the gas (4) from the gas inlet (3) to the gas outlet (5) through the scraping system (12), and after solid matter (8) has accumulated on the inner surface (9), to scrape the solid matter (8) carried into the at least one pipe (2) by the gas (4) from the inner surface (9) of the straight portion (6) by the operation of the scraping system (12), and to convey the scraped solid matter (8) toward the at least one solid matter outlet (25, 26) by the operation of the at least one scraping system (12).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a gas piping system. According to some embodiments, the present invention relates to the treatment of a gas flow downstream of a reactor, particularly the treatment of a gas contaminated with solids.

[0002] Furthermore, the present invention relates to an apparatus comprising a reactor and a gas piping system.

[0003] Still further, the present invention relates to the use of a gas piping system associated with a system comprising a reactor.

[0004] In addition, the present invention relates to a method of operating a gas piping system.

Background Art

[0005] In various technical applications, gases are conducted through a gas piping system. Such gases can carry solids, such as very small and lightweight particles or dust, within the gas flow. This is particularly problematic in industrial applications, as over time the solids can accumulate on the inner surface of the gas piping system, causing blockages and / or fouling.

[0006] For example, polymer waste is supplied to a device equipped with a reactor, and then the gas from the at least partially pyrolyzed polymer waste can be led through a gas piping system to a washing and condensation unit for obtaining a liquid product. Solids in the form of lightweight particles or dust may be carried by the gas. Since at least a part of the solids carried by the gas through the gas piping system accumulates on the inner surface of the gas piping system over time, it is necessary to stop the operation of the reactor, cool at least a part of the device, disassemble the gas piping system, wash the gas piping system with water using a high-pressure washer and a brush, reassemble the gas piping system, and then heat at least a part of the device to a sufficient temperature prior to resuming the operation of the reactor. In order to prevent clogging of the gas piping system due to the accumulation of solids, it is necessary to repeat this procedure regularly. In some industrial systems, such a procedure may take, for example, up to two days, during which the acquisition of the liquid product is interrupted.

[0007] In view of the above, it would be beneficial to provide a gas piping system comprising at least one pipe having a gas inlet for gas and a gas outlet for gas, the at least one pipe having a straight portion along at least a part of the distance between the gas inlet and the gas outlet, which is capable of extending the operating time of the device in which the gas piping system is utilized. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention is defined by the features of the independent claims. Some specific embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

[0009] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a gas pipe system is provided, the gas pipe system being at least one pipe having a gas inlet for gas and a gas outlet for the gas, the at least one pipe comprising at least one pipe having a straight portion along at least a part of the distance between the gas inlet and the gas outlet, and at least one solid matter outlet included in the at least one pipe, the at least one solid matter outlet being separate from the gas outlet. The gas pipe system further comprises a unit including at least one scraping system, the at least one scraping system including a rotatable shaftless screw conveyor, the at least one scraping system being connected to a first moving mechanism capable of rotating the shaftless screw conveyor, or the at least one scraping system including a first disk having a first opening, a second disk having a second opening, and a hollow structure disposed between the first disk and the second disk, the at least one scraping system being connected to a second moving mechanism capable of moving the scraping system along the straight portion. The unit is at least partially disposed within the at least one pipe, and the unit is configured to simultaneously flow the gas from the gas inlet through the at least one scraping system to the gas outlet, and after the solid matter has accumulated on the inner surface, to scrape off the solid matter carried into the at least one pipe by the gas from the inner surface of the straight portion by the movement of the at least one scraping system, and to convey the scraped-off solid matter toward the at least one solid matter outlet by the movement of the at least one scraping system. A gas pipe system is provided.

[0010] Various embodiments of the first aspect may include at least one feature from the following list of bullet points. · The gas pipe system is configured to be connected to a reactor, and the gas contains entrained solids. · The gas piping system is configured to be connected to a reactor such as a pyrolysis reactor or a rotary kiln reactor, and the gas includes gas from at least partially pyrolyzed polymer waste. · The gas piping system includes a heating system capable of heating at least a part of at least one pipe. · The heating system includes an electric heating system. · The second moving mechanism is capable of moving the scraping system continuously along a straight portion in a first direction, then in an opposite second direction, or along a loop. · The second moving mechanism further includes a first wheel disposed at a first end of at least one pipe, the first wheel being configured to be driven by a motor, a second wheel is disposed at a second end of at least one pipe, a drive pulley is connected to the scraping system, and is configured to move in both directions around the first wheel and the second wheel. · The hollow structure is in the shape of a hollow cylinder or a hollow conical element · The diameters of both the first disk and the second disk are substantially the same as the inner diameter of at least one pipe. · The second moving mechanism includes a plurality of electromagnets distributed along at least one pipe, and the scraping system is at least partially made of a magnetic material.

[0011] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus comprising a reactor and a gas piping system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, the gas piping system being coupled to the reactor.

[0012] Various embodiments of the second aspect may include at least one feature from the following list of bullet points. · The reactor has a gas containing solids. · The reactor is a pyrolysis reactor. · The reactor is a rotary kiln reactor. · The reactor is designed for the treatment of polymer waste. · The above apparatus further includes a cleaning and condensation unit. · The gas inlet of the gas piping system is connected to the reactor, and the gas outlet of the gas piping system is connected to the cleaning and condensation unit.

[0013] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of using the gas piping system according to any one of claims 1 to 7 in combination with a system including a reactor. The reactor may be designed for the treatment of polymer waste.

[0014] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a method of operating a gas piping system is provided, the method comprising the steps of providing at least one pipe having a gas inlet for gas and a gas outlet for the gas, the at least one pipe comprising a straight portion along at least a part of the distance between the gas inlet and the gas outlet; providing at least one solid matter outlet included in the at least one pipe, the at least one solid matter outlet being separate from the gas outlet; further comprising the step of arranging a unit having at least one scraping system at least partially within the at least one pipe, the at least one scraping system comprising a rotatable shaftless screw conveyor, the at least one scraping system being connected to a first moving mechanism capable of rotating the shaftless screw conveyor, or the at least one scraping system comprising a first disk having a first opening, a second disk having a second opening, and a hollow structure disposed between the first disk and the second disk, the at least one scraping system being connected to a second moving mechanism capable of moving the scraping system along the straight portion, and simultaneously flowing the gas from the gas inlet through the at least one scraping system to the gas outlet by the unit, after the solid matter has accumulated on the inner surface, scraping the solid matter transported to the at least one pipe by the gas from the inner surface of the straight portion by the movement of the at least one scraping system, and transporting the scraped solid matter towards the at least one solid matter outlet by the movement of the at least one scraping system.

[0015] Various embodiments of the fourth aspect may include at least one feature from the following list of bullet points. · The method further comprises connecting the gas piping system to a reactor and connecting the gas piping system to a cleaning and condensation unit. · The gas contains gas from at least partially pyrolyzed polymer waste. · The method further includes heating at least a part of at least one pipe by a heating system, preferably an electric heating system.

[0016] According to some embodiments of the present invention, significant advantages are obtained. A gas piping system is provided that includes at least one pipe having a gas inlet for gas and a gas outlet for gas. The gas piping system is a unit configured to allow gas to flow from the gas inlet to the gas outlet while accumulating solids carried by the gas on the inner surface of the pipe, then scraping the accumulated solids from the inner surface of the pipe into at least one pipe, transporting the scraped solids in the downstream direction of the gas flow, and / or transporting the scraped solids downstream again by the gas. As a result, the accumulation of solids on the inner surface of at least one pipe, which can cause clogging of at least one pipe, can be avoided or at least reduced. Therefore, the gas piping system according to the present invention can extend the operating time of the apparatus in which the gas piping system is used.

[0017] For example, when a gas piping system according to some embodiments of the present invention is disposed between a reactor designed for treating polymer waste and a washing and condensing unit for obtaining a liquid product, the accumulation of solids on the inner surface of at least one pipe can be avoided or at least reduced. Therefore, it is not necessary to stop the operation of the reactor, cool the reactor and the gas piping system, disassemble the gas piping system, wash the gas piping system with water using a pressure washer, and reassemble the gas piping system. It becomes possible to heat the reactor and the gas piping system to a sufficient temperature prior to subsequent continued operation of the reactor or at least reduce the frequency of such procedures.

[0018] During the operation of an industrial system, since solids can be mechanically removed from the inner surface of at least one pipe, wastewater treatment resulting from washing at least one pipe with water using a pressure washer or a similar system can be further avoided or at least reduced. Therefore, mechanically removing solids from the inner surface of at least one pipe is more environmentally friendly than existing solutions and further eliminates or at least reduces the resources required for wastewater management.

[0019] In addition, by removing solids from the inner surface of at least one pipe and transporting the solids to a solids outlet, the amount of solids washed out of the gas by a cleaning and condensation unit according to some embodiments is reduced.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0021] FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a gas pipe system 1 according to at least some embodiments of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the gas pipe system 1 includes a pipe 2 having a gas inlet 3 for gas 4 and a gas outlet 5 for gas 4. The gas pipe system 1 can, for example, also include a plurality of pipes 2 mechanically connected to each other, where the first pipe can have a gas inlet and the last pipe can have a gas outlet.

[0022] At least one pipe 2 may be straight along its entire length, or may have a straight portion 6 along at least a part of the distance between the gas inlet 3 and the gas outlet 5. The diameter of at least one pipe 5 can be in the range of, for example, 150 mm to 400 mm. At least one pipe 2 is arranged, for example, horizontally or substantially horizontally. The term "horizontally" means that the longitudinal axis of at least one pipe 2 is perpendicular to the gravity vector or perpendicular to the normal of the earth's surface. Similarly, the term "substantially horizontally" means that the longitudinal axis of at least one pipe 2 is inclined by a few degrees, for example less than 10 degrees, from an axis oriented perpendicular to the gravity vector or perpendicular to the normal of the earth's surface. However, the longitudinal axis of at least one pipe 2 can be inclined by 10 degrees or more, for example 30 degrees or 45 degrees.

[0023] The gas 4 conducted through the gas pipe system 1 can carry solids 8 within the gas flow. The solids 8 are typically in the form of very small and lightweight particles or dust. At least a part of the solids 8 carried by the gas 4 is usually accumulated on the inner surface 9 of at least one pipe 2. In other words, a solid layer is formed on the inner surface 9 of at least one pipe 2 over time.

[0024] The gas pipe system 1 further includes a unit that is at least partially disposed within at least one pipe 2. The illustrated unit includes a moving mechanism 11. The moving mechanism 11 includes a motor 14 that is connected to a first wheel 13 to form a driving wheel. The moving mechanism 11 further includes a second wheel 15, i.e., an idle wheel. The motor 14 and the first wheel 13 are disposed at a first end 23 of the at least one pipe 2. Usually, the motor 14 and the first wheel 13 are disposed outside or on the outer side of the at least one pipe 2, but adjacent to the at least one pipe 2. The second wheel 15 is disposed at a second end 24 of the at least one pipe 2. The second wheel 15 is typically disposed outside or on the outer side of the at least one pipe 2, but adjacent to the at least one pipe 2. Further, the moving mechanism 11 further includes a driving pulley 16, such as a chain or a cable, disposed around the first wheel 13 and the second wheel 15. The driving pulley 16 can be moved around the first wheel 13 and the second wheel 14 in clockwise and counterclockwise directions by the motor 14.

[0025] The illustrated unit further comprises a scraping system 12 connected to the drive pulley 16. The scraping system 12 comprises a first disk 17 having a first opening 18 and a second disk 19 having a second opening 20. The second disk 19 is spaced apart from the first disk 17 by a certain distance and comprises a hollow structure 21 disposed between the first disk 17 and the second disk 19. The hollow structure 21 can be, for example, in the shape of a hollow cylinder as shown in FIG. 1 or in the shape of a hollow conical element. In the case of a hollow conical element, the diameter of the second opening is larger than the diameter of the first opening provided upstream of the second opening. The hollow structure 21 is arranged such that gas 4 can flow through the first opening 18, the second opening 20, and the hollow structure 21 of the scraping system 12. The first opening 17 and the second opening 19 are usually sized such that the pressure drop is less than 1 kPa to avoid restricting the flow of gas through at least one pipe 2. The first disk 17 and the second disk 19 are arranged perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the direction of the gas flow through at least one pipe 2. The diameters of the first disk 17 and the second disk 19 are approximately the same as the inner diameter of at least one pipe 2, but slightly smaller. The difference between the inner diameter of the pipe 2 and the diameters of both the first disk 17 and the second disk 19 can be in the range of, for example, 1 mm to 10 mm. The first opening 18 of the first disk 17, the second opening 20 of the second disk 19, and the hollow structure 21 between the first disk 17 and the second disk 19 can be coaxial with the longitudinal axis of at least one pipe 2, i.e., arranged at the center of at least one pipe 2. However, the first disk 17 and the second disk 19 may each have eccentric openings 18, 20. In such a case, the hollow structure 21 can be arranged as appropriate as shown in FIG. 1.

[0026] As a result, while the gas 4 flows from the gas inlet 3 to the gas outlet 5 through the scraping system 12, after the solid matter 8 accumulates on the inner surface 9, by moving the scraping system 12, the solid matter 8 carried by the gas 4 to at least one pipe 2 is scraped off from the inner surface 9 of the straight portion 6 of at least one pipe 2, and at least a part of the scraped solid matter 8 is configured to be transported toward at least one solid matter outlet 25, 26 by moving the scraping system 12. A part of the scraped solid matter 8 can be carried downstream by the gas 4 again due to scraping and the gas flow.

[0027] For example, a first solid matter outlet 25 may be provided at the first end 23 of at least one pipe, and a second solid matter outlet 26 may be provided at the second end 24 of at least one pipe 2. When the scraping system 12 is moved downstream by the moving mechanism 11 toward the second end 24, the solid matter 8 is scraped off from the inner surface 9 of at least one pipe 2 by the scraping system 12 and conveyed toward the second solid matter outlet 26. The second solid matter outlet 25 is separate from the gas outlet 5 and separate from the gas inlet 3. A part of the scraped solid matter 8 can be carried downstream by the gas 4 again. When the scraping system 12 is moved in the opposite direction, i.e., upstream, the solid matter 8 is scraped off from the inner surface 9 of at least one pipe 2 by the scraping system 12 and conveyed toward the first solid matter outlet 25. The first solid matter outlet 25 is separate from the gas outlet 5. A part of the scraped solid matter 8 is carried again by the gas 4 and guided downstream through the first opening 18 of the first disk 17, the hollow cylinder 21, and the second opening 20 of the second disk 19.

[0028] The gas pipe system 1 usually comprises a heating system (not shown) capable of heating at least a part of at least one pipe 2. The heating system can be, for example, an electric heating system. The heating system is usually arranged outside at least one pipe 2 and is capable of heating the wall of at least one pipe 2. The heating system is usually arranged inside a housing (not shown), in particular, between at least one pipe 2 and a heat insulating material (not shown) arranged inside the housing. The temperature inside at least one pipe 2 can be adjusted by the heating system. For example, the heating system can increase the temperature inside at least one pipe 2 from the ambient temperature to a temperature in the range of 200°C to 500°C, for example, in the range of 400°C to 500°C, by heating the wall of at least one pipe 2.

[0029] According to another embodiment, the moving mechanism includes a plurality of electromagnets distributed along at least one pipe 2. In such a case, the scraping system 12 described above is at least partially made of a magnetic material. As a result, by controlling the amount of current flowing through the electromagnets to generate a magnetic field, the scraping system 12 can be moved along the straight portion 6 of at least one pipe 2. The electromagnets are usually arranged outside at least one pipe 2. One of the advantages of having a moving mechanism including electromagnets is that the moving mechanism does not come into contact with the solid matter 8 during operation.

[0030] Figure 2 shows a schematic view of another gas piping system 1 according to at least some embodiments of the present invention. The gas piping system 1 includes at least one pipe 2 having a gas inlet 3 for gas and a gas outlet 5 for gas. The at least one pipe 2 is connected to a further pipe, thereby forming a loop. The gas piping system 1 is provided with at least one scraping system 12, for example two or more scraping systems 12. Each scraping system 12 can be designed, for example, as described above in connection with FIG. 1. The gas piping system 1 further comprises a moving mechanism (not shown). The moving mechanism comprises, for example, a plurality of wheels and a drive pulley coupled to each scraping system 12, the drive pulley being arranged around the plurality of wheels and forming a closed track for each scraping system 12. The scraping systems 12 can be moved simultaneously along the loop by moving the drive pulley in a counterclockwise or clockwise direction. Usually, the scraping systems 12 are moved as indicated by the arrows, transporting the solids 8 in the downstream direction from the gas inlet 3 towards the gas outlet 5. Alternatively, the moving mechanism can comprise a plurality of electromagnets distributed along the loop. In such a case, each scraping system 12 is at least partially made of a magnetic material. As a result, each scraping system 12 can be moved along the loop by controlling the amount of current flowing through the electromagnet to generate a magnetic field. The electromagnets are usually arranged outside the loop. One advantage of having a moving mechanism including electromagnets is that the moving mechanism does not come into contact with the solids 8 during operation. As described above in connection with FIG. 1, a heating system (not shown) can further be provided.

[0031] Figure 3 shows a schematic view of a further gas piping system 1 according to at least some embodiments of the present invention. As shown, the gas piping system 1 comprises a pipe 2 having a gas inlet 3 for gas 4 and a gas outlet 5 for gas 4. The gas piping system 1 has, for example, a plurality of pipes 2 mechanically connected, with the first pipe having a gas inlet and the last pipe having a gas outlet.

[0032] At least one pipe 2 may be straight along its entire length or may have a straight portion 6 along at least a part of the distance between the gas inlet 3 and the gas outlet 5. The diameter of at least one pipe 5 can be in the range of, for example, 150 mm to 400 mm. At least one pipe 2 can be arranged, for example, horizontally or substantially horizontally. The term "horizontally" means that the longitudinal axis of at least one pipe 2 is perpendicular to the gravitational vector or perpendicular to the normal of the earth's surface. Similarly, the term "substantially horizontally" means that the longitudinal axis of at least one pipe 2 is inclined by several degrees, for example less than 10 degrees, from an axis oriented perpendicular to the gravitational vector or perpendicular to the normal of the earth's surface. However, the longitudinal axis of at least one pipe 2 may also be inclined by 10 degrees or more, for example 30 degrees or 45 degrees.

[0033] The gas 4 guided through the gas pipe system 1 may carry solids 8 in the gas flow. The solids 8 are typically in the form of very small and lightweight particles or dust. At least a part of the solids 8 carried by the gas 4 is usually accumulated on the inner surface 9 of at least one pipe 2. In other words, a solid layer is formed on the inner surface 9 of at least one pipe 2 over time.

[0034] The gas pipe system 1 further includes a unit that is at least partially disposed within at least one pipe 2. The illustrated unit includes a moving mechanism 11 that includes a motor 14 connected to a scraping system 12 that includes a shaftless screw conveyor 7. The shaftless screw conveyor 7 has a structure that forms an elongated opening in the center along its length. Thereby, the gas 4 can flow from the gas inlet 3 to the gas outlet 5 through the elongated opening. In other words, the elongated opening of the shaftless screw conveyor 7 is disposed along the rotation axis of the shaftless screw conveyor 7. The gas entering the gas pipe system 1 can flow through the elongated opening, and only a limited amount of gas or a portion of the gas flows around the fixed blades or rotating blades of the shaftless screw conveyor 7. The shaftless screw conveyor 7 can be rotated by the motor 14. Due to the rotation of the shaftless screw conveyor 7, after the solid matter 8 accumulates on the inner surface 9 of the straight portion 6, the solid matter 8 carried by the gas 4 is scraped from the inner surface 9 of the straight portion 6 into at least one pipe 2. Due to the rotation of the shaftless screw conveyor 7, further, the scraped solid matter 8 is conveyed toward the solid matter outlet 25. The solid matter outlet 25 is separate from the gas outlet 5. By scraping the solid matter 8 by the shaftless screw conveyor 7, at least a portion of the scraped solid matter 8 will be carried downstream again by the gas 4. The gas pipe system 1 may include a plurality of solid matter outlets between the gas inlet 3 and the gas outlet 5. Usually, the shaftless screw conveyor 7 rotates only in one direction and conveys the scraped solid matter 8 in the downstream direction. The motor 14 is usually disposed outside or on the outer side of at least one pipe 2, but is disposed adjacent to at least one pipe 2. The advantage of using the shaftless screw conveyor 7 is that the gas 4 can flow through the elongated opening of the shaftless screw conveyor 7 even after a considerable amount of solid matter 8 accumulates on the inner surface 9 of at least one pipe 2 and regardless of whether the scraping system 1 is operating. Therefore, it is possible to shorten the required operating time of the scraping system 1 by the shaftless screw conveyor 7.

[0035] The diameter of the shaftless screw conveyor 7 is approximately the same as, but slightly smaller than, the inner diameter of at least one pipe 2. The difference between the inner diameter of the pipe 2 and the diameter of the shaftless screw conveyor 7 can be in the range of, for example, 1 mm to 10 mm.

[0036] As a result, the unit rotates the shaftless screw conveyor 7 after the solid matter 8 has accumulated on the inner surface 9 while the gas 4 flows from the gas inlet 3 to the gas outlet 5 through the elongated opening, so that the solid matter 8 carried by the gas 4 to at least one pipe 2 can be scraped off from the inner surface 9 of the straight portion 6 of at least one pipe 2, and the scraped solid matter 8 can be conveyed toward the solid matter outlet 25, and / or the scraped solid matter 8 can be conveyed downstream again by the gas 4.

[0037] The gas pipe system 1 usually includes a heating system (not shown) capable of heating at least a part of at least one pipe 2. The heating system can be, for example, an electric heating system. The heating system is usually arranged outside at least one pipe 2 and can heat the wall of at least one pipe 2 as shown in FIG. 3.

[0038] FIG. 4 shows a schematic diagram of yet another gas pipe system 1 according to at least some embodiments of the present invention. The gas pipe system 1 has the features described above in connection with FIG. 3. Further, the gas pipe system 1 includes a heating system 10 such as, for example, an electric heating system. The heating system 10 is arranged within the housing 31, but outside at least one pipe 2 and can heat at least a part of the wall 27 of at least one pipe 2. The heating system 10 is arranged between at least one pipe 2 and a heat insulating material 28 arranged within the housing 31. The temperature within at least one pipe 2 can be adjusted by the heating system 10. For example, the heating system 10 may be capable of raising the temperature within at least one pipe 2 from the ambient temperature to a temperature in the range of 200°C to 500°C, for example, in the range of 400°C to 500°C, by heating the wall 27.

[0039] FIG. 5 shows a schematic view of an apparatus 29 according to at least some embodiments of the present invention. The apparatus comprises at least a reactor 22 and a gas piping system 1. The reactor 22 contains a gas mixed with solids. For example, polymer waste can be treated by pyrolysis. That is, in order to avoid combustion by formation of hydrocarbons, the polymer waste is treated by pyrolyzing it at a high temperature in the absence of any oxygen or in a state where the amount of oxygen is small, and an intermediate product containing a gas from the at least partially pyrolyzed polymer waste can be obtained. Such treatment can be carried out, for example, in a reactor 22 such as a rotary kiln reactor to which polymer waste is supplied. The intermediate product containing a gas from the at least partially pyrolyzed polymer waste is then led from the reactor 22 via the gas piping system 1 to, for example, a cleaning and condensation unit 30. The gas can carry solids in the form of very small and lightweight particles or dust from the reactor 22 through the gas piping system 1 towards the cleaning and condensation unit 30. The reactor 22 and the cleaning and condensation unit 30 are generally known in various forms.

[0040] The illustrated apparatus 29 comprises, for example, a reactor 22 for treating polymer waste, the gas piping system 1 described above in connection with FIGS. 3 and 4, and a cleaning and condensation unit 30 for obtaining a liquid product. Of course, the gas piping system 1 described above in connection with, for example, FIGS. 1 or 2 can also be used alternatively. The gas piping system 1 is connected to both the reactor 22 and the cleaning and condensation unit 30. Specifically, the gas inlet 3 is connected to the reactor 22, and the gas outlet 5 is connected to the cleaning and condensation unit 30.

[0041] For the gas piping system 1 to function as intended when implemented, for example, as a gas transfer line in a pyrolysis reactor 22, it is necessary to consider the increase in pressure in the unit from which the gas 4 is transferred. In such a case, in the gas piping system 1, it is required that there is no interference in the gas pressure between the gas inlet and the gas outlet, respectively. According to the present invention, it is possible to maintain a straight gas channel open over the entire length within the gas piping system 1 so that the gas 4 can flow without being obstructed and at the same time solid deposits can be removed.

[0042] By arranging the gas piping system 1 between the reactor 22 and the cleaning and condensation unit 30, the accumulation of solids on the inner surface of at least one pipe can be avoided or at least reduced. Therefore, it is no longer necessary to stop the operation of the reactor 22, cool the reactor 22 and the gas piping system 1, disassemble the gas piping system 1, wash the gas piping system 1 with water using a pressure washer, reassemble the gas piping system 1, heat the reactor 22 and the gas piping system 1 to a sufficient temperature and then continue the operation of the reactor 22, or at least the frequency of such procedures can be reduced. That is, the operating time of the apparatus 29 using the gas piping system 1 can be extended. The gas piping system 1 further reduces the amount of solids 8 removed from the gas by the cleaning and condensation unit 30.

[0043] Furthermore, the heating system included in the gas piping system 1 prevents the condensation of the gas within the gas piping system 1 disposed in front of the cleaning and condensation unit 30. Further, due to heating, the accumulation of sticky solids on the inner surface of at least one pipe is reduced.

[0044] The disclosed embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the specific structures, process steps, or materials disclosed herein, but are to be extended to their equivalents recognized by those skilled in the relevant art. It should also be understood that the terms used herein are for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and are not intended to be limiting.

[0045] Throughout this specification, when reference is made to one embodiment or embodiments, it means that the particular features, structures, or characteristics described in connection with that embodiment are included in at least one embodiment of the invention. Thus, when the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" are used in various places in this specification, they are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. When referring to a numerical value using terms such as "for example," "about," or "substantially," the exact numerical value is also disclosed.

[0046] In this specification, for convenience, a plurality of items, structural elements, components, and / or materials may be presented in a common list. However, these lists should be construed as if each member of the list is individually identified as a separate and unique member. Thus, individual members of such a list should not be construed as being substantially equivalent to other members of the same list based solely on their presentation within the common group, absent an indication to the contrary. Additionally, various embodiments and examples of the present invention may be referred to herein in conjunction with alternatives to various components of the present invention. It is understood that such embodiments, examples, and alternatives should not be construed as being substantially equivalent to one another, but rather as separate and distinct representations of the present invention.

[0047] Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the detailed description, numerous specific details such as examples of length, width, shape, etc. are provided to enable a complete understanding of the embodiments of the present invention. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or using other methods, components, materials, etc. In other cases, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown in detail or described to avoid obscuring aspects of the present invention.

[0048] The above examples illustrate the principles of the present invention in one or more specific applications, but it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous changes can be made to the form, usage, and details of implementation without exercising creative faculty and without departing from the principles and concepts of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited except as by the appended claims.

[0049] In this specification, the verbs "comprise" and "have" are used as open limitations that do not exclude or require the presence of functions not described. The features described in the dependent claims can be freely combined with each other unless explicitly stated otherwise. Further, it should be understood that throughout this document, the use of "a" or "an", i.e., the singular form, does not exclude the plural form.

Industrial Applicability

[0050] At least some embodiments of the present invention have industrial applications in the treatment of polymer waste.

Explanation of Signs

[0051] 1 Gas piping system 2 Pipe 3 Gas inlet 4 Gas 5 Gas outlet 6 Straight part 7 Screw conveyor without shaft 8 Solid matter 9 Inner surface 10 Heating system 11 Moving mechanism 12 Scraping system 13 First wheel 14 Motor 15 Second wheel 16 Driving pulley 17 First disk 18 First opening 19 Second disk 20 Second opening 21 Hollow structure 22 Reactor 23 First end 24 Second end 25 First solid matter outlet 26 Second solid matter outlet 27 Wall 28 Heat insulator 29 Device 30 Cleaning and condensing unit 31 Housing

Claims

1. A gas pipe system (1), at least one pipe (2) having a gas inlet (3) for a gas (4) and a gas outlet (5) for the gas (4), wherein the at least one pipe (2) has a straight portion (6) along at least a part of the distance between the gas inlet (3) and the gas outlet (5), at least one pipe (2); at least one solid matter outlet (25, 26) included in the at least one pipe (2), the at least one solid matter outlet (25, 26) being separate from the gas outlet (5); characterized by a unit including at least one scraping system (12); the at least one scraping system (12) includes a rotatable shaftless screw conveyor (7), and the at least one scraping system (12) is connected to a first moving mechanism (11) capable of rotating the shaftless screw conveyor (7), or the at least one scraping system (12) includes a first disk (17) having a first opening (18), a second disk (19) having a second opening (20), and a hollow structure (21) disposed between the first disk (17) and the second disk (19), and the at least one scraping system (12) is connected to a second moving mechanism capable of moving the scraping system (12) along the straight portion (6); the unit is at least partially disposed within the at least one pipe (2), and the unit simultaneously flows the gas (4) from the gas inlet (3) through the at least one scraping system (12) to the gas outlet (5), after the solid matter (8) accumulates on the inner surface (9), scrapes the solid matter (8) carried into the at least one pipe (2) by the gas (4) from the inner surface (9) of the straight portion (6) by the movement of the at least one scraping system (12), and conveys the scraped solid matter (8) toward the at least one solid matter outlet (25, 26) by the movement of the at least one scraping system (12). A gas pipe system (1) configured as such.

2. The gas pipe system (1) according to claim 1, which is configured to be connected to a reactor (22), wherein the gas contains entrained solids (8).

3. The gas pipe system (1) according to claim 1 or 2, which is configured to be connected to a reactor (22), wherein the gas (4) contains at least partially a gas from pyrolyzed polymer waste.

4. The gas pipe system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising a heating system (10) capable of heating at least a part of the at least one pipe (2).

5. The gas pipe system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the moving mechanism (11) is capable of moving the at least one scraping system (12) continuously along the straight portion (6) in a first direction, then in an opposite second direction, or along a loop.

6. The second moving mechanism (11) further comprises a first wheel (13) arranged at a first end of the at least one pipe (2), wherein the first wheel (13) is configured to be driven by a motor (14), the first wheel; a second wheel (15) arranged at a second end of the at least one pipe (2); and a drive pulley (16) connected to the scraping system (12) and arranged to move in both directions around the first wheel (13) and the second wheel (15). The gas pipe system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The second moving mechanism (11) comprises a plurality of electromagnets distributed along the at least one pipe (2), and the scraping system (2) is at least partially made of a magnetic material. The gas pipe system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

8. A reactor (22); An apparatus (29) having the gas pipe system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the gas pipe system (1) is connected to the reactor (22). Apparatus.

9. Use of the gas pipe system according to any one of claims 1 to 7 in combination with a system comprising a reactor (22).

10. A method of operating a gas pipe system (1), the method comprising Providing at least one pipe (2) having a gas inlet (3) for the gas (4) and a gas outlet (5) for the gas (4), wherein the at least one pipe (2) comprises a straight portion (6) along at least a part of the distance between the gas inlet (3) and the gas outlet (5), the step of providing at least one pipe (2); Providing at least one solid matter outlet (25, 26) included in the at least one pipe (2), wherein the at least one solid matter outlet (25, 26) is separate from the gas outlet, the step of providing at least one solid matter outlet (25, 26), and the method comprises: Characterized by a step of disposing a unit having at least one scraping system (12) at least partially within the at least one pipe (2); The at least one scraping system (12) includes a rotatable shaftless screw conveyor (7), and the at least one scraping system (12) is connected to a first moving mechanism (11) capable of rotating the shaftless screw conveyor (7), or The at least one scraping system (12) includes a first disk (17) having a first opening (18), a second disk (19) having a second opening (20), and a hollow structure (21) disposed between the first disk (17) and the second disk (19), and the at least one scraping system (12) is connected to a second moving mechanism (11) capable of moving the scraping system (12) along the straight portion (6); By the unit, simultaneously, Flowing the gas (4) from the gas inlet (3) to the gas outlet (5) through the at least one scraping system (12); After the solid matter (8) is accumulated on the inner surface (9), scraping the solid matter (8) carried into the at least one pipe (2) by the gas (4) from the inner surface (9) of the straight portion (6) by the movement of the at least one scraping system (12); Conveying the scraped solid matter (8) toward the at least one solid matter outlet (25, 26) by the movement of the at least one scraping system (12). A method.

11. Connecting the gas pipe system (1) to the reactor (22); The method according to claim 10, further comprising connecting the gas pipe system (1) to a cleaning and condensation unit (30).

12. The method according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the gas (4) comprises a gas from at least partially pyrolyzed polymer waste.

13. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, further comprising heating at least a part of the at least one pipe (2) by a heating system (10).

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