Heat treatment apparatus, method for operating a heat treatment apparatus, and method for producing hydrocarbon compounds

Abstract

To provide a heat treatment apparatus that does not accumulate reaction residue in the reactor and can be operated continuously for a long period of time. [Solution] One embodiment of the heat treatment apparatus according to the present disclosure comprises: a reactor in which particles are arranged inside; a heating unit for heating the particles; a particle supply unit connected to the reactor for supplying particles to the reactor; a material supply unit connected to the reactor for supplying a material to be treated to the reactor; a particle removal unit connected to the reactor for removing particles from the reactor; an openable and closable shutter disposed between the reactor and the particle removal unit; a material removal unit connected to the particle removal unit for removing products from the reactor; and a disperser disposed between the particle removal unit and the material removal unit.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This disclosure relates to a heat treatment apparatus, a method for operating a heat treatment apparatus, and a method for producing hydrocarbon compounds. [Background technology]

[0002] One method of recycling waste plastics is chemical recycling, which involves decomposing waste plastics, monomerizing and gasifying them, or using them as blast furnace reducing agents or coke oven raw materials. For example, a fluidized bed reactor is generally used in continuous reactors that use mixed plastics containing polyolefins as raw materials to obtain basic chemicals in a single stage without going through intermediate products such as pyrolysis oils.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses that a plastic powder, which is a mixture of polyolefins, polystyrene, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), etc., is supplied to a fluidized bed reactor and decomposed to obtain olefins from C2 to C4, the heating medium in the fluidized bed is a mixture of used FCC catalyst and ZSM-5, and these catalysts may contain binder materials such as alumina or silica.

[0004] As a reactor with a simpler structure than a fluidized bed reactor, it is also known that fixed-bed reactors can be used to perform the thermal decomposition of plastics. Patent document 2 discloses examples of decomposing small amounts of plastics such as polyethylene, polypropylene, PET, and polystyrene in a batch-type fixed-bed reactor. However, with conventional fixed-bed reactors, when continuously heat-treating raw materials, especially plastics such as PET and polyvinyl chloride that tend to produce carbides as by-products, or waste plastics containing inorganic solids, reaction residue accumulates on the fixed bed as the operating time increases, making long-term continuous operation impossible. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2016-513147 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2024-138201 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] The purpose of this disclosure is to provide a heat treatment apparatus that can be operated continuously for a long period of time without the accumulation of reaction residue in the reactor. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The means to solve the aforementioned problem are as follows: <1> A reactor with particles arranged inside, A heating section for heating the aforementioned particles, A particle supply unit connected to the reactor and supplying the particles to the reactor, A processing material supply unit connected to the reactor and supplying the processing material to the reactor, A particle extraction unit connected to the reactor and used to extract the particles from the reactor, An openable and closable shutter is positioned between the reactor and the particle removal section, A product extraction unit connected to the particle extraction unit for extracting products from the reactor, A disperser is disposed between the particle extraction unit and the product extraction unit, This is a heat treatment apparatus characterized by being equipped with the following features. <2> The disperser has through holes, and the inner diameter of the through holes is smaller than the number-average particle size of the particles, <1> This is the heat treatment apparatus described above. <3> The disperser and the product extraction unit comprises a plurality of the <1> or <2> This is the heat treatment apparatus described above. <4> The reactor is connected to an inert gas supply unit that supplies inert gas to the reactor, <1> from <3> The heat treatment apparatus is one of the items described in any one of the paragraphs. <5> The particle collection unit is connected to the particle extraction unit, is positioned in the direction of particle extraction, and includes a particle collection unit for collecting the particles, <1> from <4> The heat treatment apparatus is one of the items described in any one of the paragraphs. <6> The system includes a transport unit that transports the particles from the particle recovery unit to the particle supply unit, <5> This is the heat treatment apparatus described above. <7> The particle supply unit and the processing material supply unit are integrated into the same unit. <1> from <6> The heat treatment apparatus is one of the items described in any one of the paragraphs. <8> The particles are elements, alloys, oxides, carbides, or nitrides of one or more elements selected from Groups 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15. <1> from <7> The heat treatment apparatus is one of the items described in any one of the paragraphs. <9> A supply process involves supplying particles and materials to be processed from a supply unit into the inside of the reactor, A heating step in which the particles are heated in a heating section while the particles are in contact with the object to be processed, A product extraction step is performed to extract the product from the product extraction unit, which is connected to the reactor and the disperser via the aforementioned reactor, This is a method for operating a heat treatment apparatus, including [specific details omitted]. <10> A regeneration process in which the particles are transported from a particle recovery unit that collects the particles to a supply unit via a transport unit, and the particles are reused, Including the above <9> This is the operating method for the heat treatment apparatus described. <11> The object to be processed is a waste plastic composition. <9> or <10> This is the operating method for the heat treatment apparatus described. <12> The product is a hydrocarbon compound. <9> from <11> This is a method for operating a heat treatment apparatus as described in any one of the items. <13> The hydrocarbon compound is a hydrocarbon compound having 1 or more carbon atoms and 10 or fewer carbon atoms. <12> This is the operating method for the heat treatment apparatus described. <14> The process includes supplying an inert gas to the inside of the reactor, The operation method of the heat treatment apparatus according to any one of <9> to <13>, wherein the inert gas is at least one selected from nitrogen, water vapor, and rare gases. <15>A supply step of supplying particles and an object to be processed from a supply unit into a reactor; A heating step of heating the particles in a heating unit while bringing the particles into contact with the object to be processed; A generation step of generating a hydrocarbon compound by bringing the particles into contact with the object to be processed inside the reactor; A take-out step of taking out the hydrocarbon compound from a product take-out unit connected to the reactor via a disperser; A method for producing a hydrocarbon compound, including the above steps.

Advantages of the Invention

[0008] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a heat treatment apparatus in which reaction residues do not accumulate in the reactor and which can be continuously operated for a long time.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009] [Figure 1A] FIG. 1A is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a heat treatment apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 1B] FIG. 1B is a block diagram showing an example of a control unit of the heat treatment apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2A] FIG. 2A is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a heat treatment apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2B] FIG. 2B is a block diagram showing an example of a control unit of the heat treatment apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3A] FIG. 3A is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a heat treatment apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3B] FIG. 3B is a block diagram showing an example of a control unit of the heat treatment apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure. <00001​ [Figure 5] Figure 5 is an example of a flowchart of a method for producing a hydrocarbon compound according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] A heat treatment apparatus and a heat treatment method according to the embodiments of this disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiments described below are illustrative examples of a heat treatment apparatus and a heat treatment method for realizing the technical concept of this disclosure and are not limited to those described below, and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the gist of this disclosure.

[0011] Furthermore, the dimensions, materials, shapes, numbers, and relative arrangements of the components described in the embodiments are merely illustrative examples and not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure unless otherwise specified. Note that the size and positional relationships of the components shown in each drawing may be exaggerated for clarity. Also, in the following description, the same name and reference numeral indicate the same or identical components, and detailed explanations are omitted as appropriate. To avoid overly complex drawings, schematic diagrams may be used with some elements omitted, or end views showing only the cross-section may be used as cross-sectional views.

[0012] Furthermore, in this disclosure, the term "polygon" refers to polygons such as rectangles, triangles, and quadrilaterals, including shapes where the corners of the polygon have been rounded, chamfered, or otherwise modified. Similarly, shapes where modifications have been made not only to the corners (ends of the sides) but also to the middle parts of the sides will also be referred to as polygons. In other words, shapes that retain the shape of a polygon but have been partially modified are included in the interpretation of "polygon" as described in this disclosure.

[0013] Furthermore, the same applies not only to polygons, but also to terms describing specific shapes such as cylinders, rectangular prisms, trapezoids, circles, and tapered shapes. The same also applies when dealing with each side that forms such a shape. In other words, even if a side has been processed at a corner or in the middle, the interpretation of "side" includes the processed part. When distinguishing a "polygon" or "side" without partial processing from a processed shape, the term "strictly" should be added, for example, "strictly quadrilateral."

[0014] Furthermore, the following description uses terms to indicate specific directions or positions as needed (e.g., "up," "down," "side," "top surface," "bottom surface," "side," "X," "Y," "Z," and other terms including these terms). However, the use of these terms is solely to facilitate understanding of the invention with reference to the drawings, and the meaning of these terms does not excessively limit the technical scope of the invention. For example, if "top surface" is mentioned, the invention must not always be used in a way that it faces upwards.

[0015] Furthermore, in this specification, the "~" symbol indicating a numerical range means that the values ​​before and after it are included as the lower and upper limits, respectively, unless otherwise specified.

[0016] (Heat treatment equipment) <First Embodiment> A heat treatment apparatus according to the first embodiment of this disclosure comprises: a reactor containing particles; a heating unit for heating the particles; a particle supply unit connected to the reactor for supplying particles to the reactor; a material supply unit connected to the reactor for supplying materials to be processed to the reactor; a particle removal unit connected to the reactor for removing particles from the reactor; an openable and closable shutter positioned between the reactor and the particle removal unit; a material removal unit connected to the particle removal unit for removing materials from the reactor; and a disperser positioned between the particle removal unit and the material removal unit. The heat treatment apparatus according to one embodiment may further comprise other components as needed.

[0017] Figure 1A is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a heat treatment apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. The heat treatment apparatus 100 comprises a reactor 1, a heating unit 2, particles 3, a particle supply unit 4, a material to be processed supply unit 5, a particle removal unit 6, a product removal unit 7, a disperser 8, and an openable / closable shutter 10.

[0018] The direction in which granular particles 3 accumulate by their own weight is defined as the Y-axis direction, the direction approximately perpendicular to the Y-axis direction is defined as the X-axis direction, and the direction approximately perpendicular to both the X-axis and Y-axis directions is defined as the Z-axis direction. The X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis are mutually orthogonal.

[0019] In this disclosure, "approximately orthogonal" is not limited to 90°, but allows for a difference of 90° ± 5°.

[0020] <<Reactor 1>> The reactor 1 is configured to accommodate the particles 3 and the material to be processed 11.

[0021] The material of the reactor 1 is not particularly limited, as long as it is stable in terms of surface temperature and atmosphere on the inside of the reactor 1, that is, on the side where the material to be processed 11 is contained.

[0022] For example, if the inside of the reactor 1 is a nitrogen gas atmosphere and the inner surface temperature of the reactor 1 is 400°C or less, the material of the reactor 1 can be metals such as iron (Fe) and titanium (Ti); inorganic compounds such as alumina (Al2O3), zirconia (ZrO3), silicon carbide (SiC), silicon nitride (Si3N4), and mullite (3Al2O3·2SiO2) or ceramics thereof; or alloys such as stainless steel, Inconel (INCONEL®), and Hastelloy (HASTELLOY®). These may be used individually or in combination of two or more. Among these, when the inside of the reactor 1 is a nitrogen gas atmosphere and the inner surface temperature of the reactor 1 is 400°C or less, from the viewpoint of material cost, iron (Fe) and general stainless steels such as SUS304, SUS304L, SUS316, and SUS316L are preferred as the material of the reactor 1.

[0023] For example, if the inside of reactor 1 is a nitrogen gas atmosphere and the inner surface temperature of reactor 1 is between 400°C and 700°C, the material of reactor 1 may be an inorganic compound such as alumina (Al2O3), zirconia (ZrO3), silicon carbide (SiC), silicon nitride (Si3N4), mullite (3Al2O3·2SiO2), or ceramics thereof; or an alloy such as stainless steel (e.g., SUS316L, SUS310S, etc.), Inconel (INCONEL®), Hastelloy (HASTELLOY®).

[0024] For example, if the inside of reactor 1 is a nitrogen gas atmosphere and the inner surface temperature of reactor 1 is between 700°C and 950°C, the material of reactor 1 can be an inorganic compound such as alumina (Al2O3), zirconia (ZrO3), silicon carbide (SiC), silicon nitride (Si3N4), mullite (3Al2O3·2SiO2), or ceramics thereof; or an alloy such as SUS310S (INCONEL®) or Hastelloy (HASTELLOY®).

[0025] For example, if the inside of the reactor 1 is a steam atmosphere and the inner surface temperature of the reactor 1 is 700°C or less, the material of the reactor 1 can be an inorganic compound such as alumina (Al2O3), zirconia (ZrO3), silicon carbide (SiC), silicon nitride (Si3N4), mullite (3Al2O3·2SiO2), or ceramics thereof; or an alloy such as stainless steel (e.g., SUS316, SUS316L, SUS310S, etc.), Inconel®, Hastelloy®, etc.

[0026] For example, if the inside of reactor 1 is a steam atmosphere and the inner surface temperature of reactor 1 is between 700°C and 950°C, the material of reactor 1 can be an inorganic compound such as alumina (Al2O3), zirconia (ZrO3), silicon carbide (SiC), silicon nitride (Si3N4), mullite (3Al2O3·2SiO2), or ceramics thereof; or an alloy such as Inconel® or Hastelloy®.

[0027] There are no particular restrictions on the shape, structure, and size of the reactor 1, as long as it is capable of accommodating the particles 3 and the material to be processed 11.

[0028] Examples of the shape of reactor 1 include cylindrical, rectangular, conical, and frustoconical shapes.

[0029] The size of the reactor 1 is not particularly limited, as long as it has a length and inner diameter that can accommodate the particles 3 and the material to be processed 11.

[0030] <<Heating section 2>> The heating section 2 is a component that heats the particles 3. The structure, shape, material, and size of the heating section 2 are not particularly limited as long as they can heat the reactor 1, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose.

[0031] There are no particular restrictions on the heating method of the heating unit 2. It may be an external heating method in which the reactor 1 is heated by heat transfer from the outside, or an internal heating method in which the reactor 1 itself generates heat. For the heating unit 2 of the external heating method, for example, a known electric furnace can be used. For the heating unit 2 of the internal heating method, for example, a resistance heating method can be used in which two electrodes are attached to the reactor 1 in contact and heat is generated by applying a voltage between the electrodes. When using the resistance heating method as the heating method of the heating unit 2, the particles 3 should be made of a conductive material, which will be discussed later.

[0032] The temperature of reactor 1 can be measured by inserting a thermocouple into the center of reactor 1.

[0033] <<Particle 3>> Particles 3 are granular and are supplied from the particle supply unit 4 to the reactor 1 and removed from the particle removal unit 6.

[0034] The particles 3 may be continuously supplied from the particle supply unit 4 to the reactor 1 when the heat treatment apparatus 100 is in operation, or they may be supplied intermittently from the particle supply unit 4 to the reactor 1 at desired timings. The particles 3 supplied into the reactor 1 are supported by a closed open / close shutter 10 when the heat treatment apparatus 100 is in operation and function as a fixed bed. By opening the open / close shutter 10 at desired timings, the particles 3 supplied into the reactor 1 are removed from the open / close shutter 10 to the particle removal unit 6. The supply and removal of particles 3 to and from the reactor 1 can be suitably controlled by a control unit 200, which will be described later.

[0035] There are no particular restrictions on the material of particle 3, and it can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. However, a material that is stable at the temperature and atmosphere in which it is used is preferred. Examples include elemental elements, alloys, oxides, carbides, or nitrides of one or more elements selected from groups 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15. When the inside of the reactor 1 is a nitrogen gas atmosphere, the material of particle 3 can be nichrome, Kanthal, tungsten, molybdenum, tantalum, silica, silica sand, silicon carbide, etc., and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. Furthermore, when durability is required, such as when the inside of the reactor 1 is a water vapor atmosphere, the material of particle 3 can be tantalum, silica, silica sand, or silicon carbide. For example, when the heating method of the heating section 2 is resistance heating, the material of particle 3 can be nichrome, Kanthal, tungsten, molybdenum, or tantalum.

[0036] Furthermore, the particles 3 may be formed by coating the surface of the material with ceramics such as tungsten oxide, molybdenum(VI) oxide, molybdenum disilide, lanthanum chromite, triiron tetroxide, copper(I) oxide, tin dioxide, indium oxide, silica, or carbon, so that they are stable in the atmosphere inside the reactor 1.

[0037] From the viewpoint of not hindering thermal conduction or electrical connections between particles 3, the film thickness of the coating on particle 3 is preferably 0.001 μm to 5 μm.

[0038] There are no particular limitations on the method for coating the surface of particle 3. A known method can be appropriately selected depending on the material, shape, structure, and size of particle 3. For example, a method of coating with a ceramic raw material such as tungsten oxide using a spray coating method, printing method, immersion method, dispenser coating method, etc. Particle 3 coated with the ceramic raw material can be fired using a known method to form a ceramic coating on its surface.

[0039] Furthermore, the particle 3 may be coated by a dry method such as physical vapor deposition, chemical vapor deposition, or sputtering, or the surface of the particle 3 itself may be oxidized to form an oxide film of the aforementioned thickness.

[0040] A catalyst may be supported on the surface of particle 3, depending on the purpose of the heat treatment. There are no particular restrictions on the type of catalyst, but examples include various zeolites and FCC catalysts, provided that the product 12 is at least one chemical selected from the group consisting of olefins and aromatic hydrocarbons having 2 to 5 carbon atoms. The catalyst supported on the surface of particle 3 may be an unused catalyst or a catalyst that has been used in heat treatment one or more times.

[0041] The particles 3 may have pores. If the particles 3 have pores, the mass per particle can be reduced, making it easier to supply them from the particle supply unit 4 and to remove them from the particle extraction unit 6.

[0042] There are no particular restrictions on the particle size of particle 3, and it can be appropriately selected depending on the type of material to be processed 11, but 0.045 mm to 125 mm is preferred, and 0.09 mm to 90 mm is more preferred. When the particle size of particle 3 is 0.045 mm or larger, the voids between the particles 3 are appropriate, making it easy to maintain an appropriate flow rate for the material to be processed 11. Also, when the particle size of particle 3 is 125 mm or smaller, the particles 3, which may be metal or the like, do not become too heavy, resulting in excellent handling.

[0043] In this disclosure, the particle size of particle 3 is measured by a dry sieving test in accordance with ISO 2591-1:1988.

[0044] <<Particle supply section 4>> The particle supply unit 4 is connected to the reactor 1 and supplies particles 3 to the reactor 1.

[0045] In this disclosure, "connection" of the particle supply unit 4 to the reactor 1 means that the inside of the particle supply unit 4 and the inside of the reactor 1 are in communication so that particles 3 can pass through them.

[0046] There are no particular restrictions on the material of the particle supply unit 4; for example, it can be appropriately selected from the same materials as those used for the reactor 1, depending on the purpose.

[0047] The shape, structure, and size of the particle supply unit 4 are not particularly limited as long as it can be connected to the reactor 1 and supply particles 3 to the reactor 1. They can be appropriately selected according to the purpose, for example, a cylindrical shape or a rectangular parallelepiped. Also, if a part of the reactor 1 has an opening, this opening can be used as the particle supply unit 4.

[0048] The particle supply unit 4 may be integrated with the material to be processed supply unit 5. That is, the particles 3 and the material to be processed 11 may be supplied from a supply unit that integrates the particle supply unit 4 and the material to be processed supply unit 5.

[0049] <<Processing Material Supply Unit 5>> The material to be processed supply unit 5 is connected to the reactor 1 and supplies the material to be processed 11 to the reactor 1.

[0050] In this disclosure, "connection" of the material to be processed supply unit 5 to the reactor 1 means that the inside of the material to be processed supply unit 5 and the inside of the reactor 1 are in communication so that the material to be processed 11 can pass through them.

[0051] There are no particular restrictions on the material of the material supply unit 5 to be processed; for example, it can be appropriately selected from the same materials as those used for the reactor 1, depending on the purpose.

[0052] The shape, structure, and size of the material to be processed supply unit 5 are not particularly limited as long as it can be connected to the reactor 1 and supply the material to be processed 11 to the reactor 1, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose, for example, cylindrical or rectangular parallelepiped shapes. Also, if a part of the reactor 1 has an opening, this opening can be used as the material to be processed supply unit 5. The material to be processed 11 is not particularly limited as long as it is thermally decomposed in an inert gas, but it is preferably an organic material such as a plastic composition, oil or fat, or biomass, and is preferably an industrially discarded waste plastic composition.

[0053] <<Particle extraction section 6>> The particle removal unit 6 is connected to the reactor 1 and removes particles 3 from the reactor 1. Since particles 3, products 12, and reaction residues are mixed inside the reactor 1, the particle removal unit 6 removes not only particles 3 but also products 12 and reaction residues. Furthermore, particles 3 supplied into the reactor 1 are removed to the particle removal unit 6 through an open / close shutter 10 that is opened at a desired timing. Specifically, reaction residues refer to solids derived from the treated material 11 that remain in the reactor 1 after the treated material 11 has been decomposed, such as undecomposed treated material, wax components generated by the decomposition of the treated material, charred plastics and other organic materials in the treated material 11, and inorganic solids in the treated material 11.

[0054] In this disclosure, "connection" of the particle extraction unit 6 to the reactor 1 means that the inside of the particle extraction unit 6 and the inside of the reactor 1 are in communication so that particles 3 can pass through them.

[0055] There are no particular restrictions on the material of the particle extraction section 6; for example, it can be appropriately selected from the same materials as those used for the reactor 1, depending on the purpose.

[0056] The shape, structure, and size of the particle removal section 6 are not particularly limited as long as it can be connected to the reactor 1 and remove particles 3 from the reactor 1. They can be appropriately selected according to the purpose, for example, a cylindrical shape or a rectangular parallelepiped. Also, if a part of the reactor 1 has an opening, this opening can be used as the particle removal section 6.

[0057] <<Product extraction section 7>> The product extraction unit 7 is connected to the particle extraction unit 6 to extract the product 12 obtained by processing in the reactor 1. Alternatively, the product extraction unit 7 may be connected to a product gas recovery unit that recovers the product gas contained in the product 12, and the product gas may be recovered in the product gas recovery unit.

[0058] In this disclosure, "connection" of the product extraction unit 7 to the particle extraction unit 6 means that the inside of the product extraction unit 7 and the inside of the particle extraction unit 6 are in communication so that the product 12 can pass through them.

[0059] A disperser 8 is positioned between the product extraction unit 7 and the particle extraction unit 6. The presence of the disperser 8 allows for the efficient separation of only the product 12 from the mixture containing the particles 3, product 12, and reaction residue, and its recovery from the product extraction unit 7.

[0060] There are no particular restrictions on the material of the disperser 8; for example, it can be appropriately selected from the same materials as those used for the reactor 1, depending on the purpose.

[0061] The disperser 8 has through holes, and there are no particular restrictions on the inner diameter of the through holes as long as only the generated gas can be separated, but it is preferable that it be smaller than the number-average particle size of the particles.

[0062] There are no particular restrictions on the material of the product extraction section 7; for example, it can be appropriately selected from the same materials as those used for the reactor 1, depending on the purpose.

[0063] The shape, structure, and size of the product removal section 7 are not particularly limited as long as they can remove the product 12 obtained by processing in the reactor 1, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. Examples include cylindrical shapes and rectangular parallelepipeds. Furthermore, if a part of the reactor 1 has an opening, this opening can also be used as the product removal section 7.

[0064] The product extraction unit 7 may be connected to the particle extraction unit 6 as a single unit, or multiple units may be connected. If multiple product extraction units 7 are connected to the particle extraction unit 6, a disperser 8 is placed between the particle extraction unit 6 and each product extraction unit 7.

[0065] If by-products are generated in reactor 1, the product removal unit 7 may also remove the by-products.

[0066] Furthermore, when the reactor 1 is used as a batch reactor, the material supply unit 5 and the product removal unit 7 may be the same. That is, a single component located in the same position may be both the material supply unit 5 that supplies the material 11 to the reactor 1 and the product removal unit 7 that removes the product 12 processed in the reactor 1. In this case, both the first supply rate adjustment unit 14 and the first removal rate adjustment unit 18, which will be described later, are also a single component located in the same position.

[0067] <<Open / close shutter 10>> The retractable shutter 10 is a component positioned between the reactor 1 and the particle removal section 6. The open / closed state of the retractable shutter 10 is controlled by the retractable shutter controller 206f. When the retractable shutter 10 is closed, the particles 3 in the reactor 1 are supported by the retractable shutter 10, preventing the particles 3 from being removed to the particle removal section 6. When the retractable shutter 10 is open, the particles 3 in the reactor 1 are removed to the particle removal section 6. This controls the timing of the removal of particles 3 from the reactor 1.

[0068] The structure, shape, material, and size of the retractable shutter 10 are not particularly limited as long as the timing of the removal of particles 3 from the reactor 1 can be controlled by opening and closing the retractable shutter 10, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose, but a material having through holes, such as a dispersion plate or mesh plate, is preferred. This allows the product 12 to be continuously removed while keeping the particles 3 inside the reactor 1, even when the retractable shutter 10 is closed.

[0069] The inner diameter of the through-hole is larger than the size through which the product 12 can flow, but smaller than the particle size of the particles 3. This allows the product 12 to be continuously extracted while keeping the particles 3 inside the reactor 1, even when the retractable shutter 10 is closed.

[0070] -Product 12- There are no particular restrictions on the product 12, and it can be appropriately selected depending on the type of material to be processed 11. For example, the product 12 may be a hydrocarbon compound having 1 to 10 carbon atoms. The hydrocarbon compound may be, for example, at least one chemical selected from the group consisting of olefins and aromatic hydrocarbons. Therefore, the heat treatment apparatus 100 can be suitably used as a production apparatus for at least one chemical selected from the group consisting of olefins having 2 to 10 carbon atoms and aromatic hydrocarbons. In addition, the product 12 may also include by-products other than the at least one chemical selected from the group consisting of olefins having 2 to 10 carbon atoms and aromatic hydrocarbons, but in that case, the product 12 will include the at least one chemical selected from the group consisting of olefins having 2 to 10 carbon atoms and aromatic hydrocarbons, as well as the by-products.

[0071] <<Other components>> Other components are not particularly limited as long as they do not impair the effectiveness of the heat treatment apparatus according to the first embodiment of this disclosure. Examples include a temperature sensor 13, a first supply speed adjustment unit 14, a second supply speed adjustment unit 15, a first supply speed sensor 16, a second supply speed sensor 17, a first extraction speed adjustment unit 18, a second extraction speed adjustment unit 19, a first extraction speed sensor 20, a second extraction speed sensor 21, and a control unit 200. Depending on the type of material to be processed 11 and the product 12, the apparatus may also be equipped with a product recovery unit 12, a product separation unit 12, and so on.

[0072] -Temperature sensor 13- The temperature sensor 13 measures the temperature of the particles 3. The temperature detection signal from the temperature sensor 13 is preferably transmitted to the first temperature controller 206a of the control unit 200. The presence of the temperature sensor 13 in the heat treatment apparatus 100 is preferable because the first temperature controller 206a can provide feedback control over the temperature of the particles 3.

[0073] There are no particular restrictions on the temperature sensor 13, as long as it can accurately measure the temperature of the particles 3. Although the illustration here shows the temperature sensor 13 in contact with the particles 3 to measure the temperature, it is not limited to this, and the temperature sensor 13 may measure the temperature without contacting the particles 3.

[0074] If the temperature sensor 13 measures temperature by contacting the particles 3, examples include thermocouples and platinum thermometers.

[0075] If the temperature sensor 13 measures temperature without contact with the particles 3, examples include radiation thermometers and infrared thermographic cameras.

[0076] -First supply speed adjustment section 14- The first supply rate adjustment unit 14 adjusts the supply rate at which the material to be processed supply unit 5 supplies the material to be processed 11 to the reactor 1, or stops the material to be processed supply unit 5 from supplying the material to be processed 11 to the reactor 1.

[0077] For example, a known pump, a cock, or the like can be used as the first supply speed adjustment unit 14.

[0078] The rate at which the material to be processed 11 is supplied to the reactor 1 by the first supply rate adjustment unit 14 can be adjusted by the first supply rate controller 206b of the control unit 200, which will be described later.

[0079] -First supply rate sensor 16- The first supply speed sensor 16 measures the supply speed of the material to be processed 11 by the first supply speed adjustment unit 14. The first supply speed sensor 16 is not particularly limited as long as it can accurately measure the supply speed of the material to be processed 11 by the first supply speed adjustment unit 14. For example, known flow sensors for solids or viscous fluids, level gauges connected to the container of the material to be processed 11, load cells, etc., can be used.

[0080] The supply rate detection signal from the first supply rate sensor 16 is suitably transmitted to the first supply rate controller 206b of the control unit 200. The heat treatment apparatus 100 is preferable in that it has the first supply rate sensor 16, which improves the yield of the product 12 and minimizes the power consumption of the particles 3, and the first supply rate controller 206b can provide feedback control of the supply rate of the material to be processed supply unit 5.

[0081] -Second supply speed adjustment section 15- The second supply rate adjustment unit 15 adjusts the supply rate at which the particle supply unit 4 supplies particles 3 to the reactor 1, or stops the particle supply unit 4 from supplying particles 3 to the reactor 1.

[0082] For the second supply speed adjustment unit 15, for example, a known pump, a cock, etc., can be used.

[0083] The rate at which particles 3 are supplied to the reactor 1 by the second supply rate adjustment unit 15 can be adjusted by the second supply rate controller 206c of the control unit 200, which will be described later.

[0084] -Second supply rate sensor 17- The second supply rate sensor 17 measures the supply rate of particles 3 by the second supply rate adjustment unit 15. The second supply rate sensor 17 is not particularly limited as long as it can accurately measure the supply rate of particles 3 by the second supply rate adjustment unit 15; for example, a known flow rate sensor for solid particles can be used.

[0085] The supply rate detection signal from the second supply rate sensor 17 is suitably transmitted to the second supply rate controller 206c of the control unit 200. The presence of the second supply rate sensor 17 in the heat treatment apparatus 100 is preferable because it allows the second supply rate controller 206c to provide feedback control over the supply rate of the particles 3 by the second supply rate adjustment unit 15.

[0086] -First extraction speed adjustment unit 18- The first extraction speed adjustment unit 18 adjusts the extraction speed at which the product extraction unit 7 extracts the product 12 from the reactor 1, or stops the product extraction unit 7 from extracting the product 12 from the reactor 1.

[0087] For example, a known pump, a cock, or the like can be used as the first extraction speed adjustment unit 18.

[0088] The rate at which the first extraction rate adjustment unit 18 extracts the product 12 from the reactor 1 can be adjusted by the first extraction rate controller 206d of the control unit 200, which will be described later.

[0089] By adjusting the supply of the material to be processed 11 to the reactor 1 by the first supply rate adjustment unit 14 and the removal of the product 12 from the reactor 1 by the first removal rate adjustment unit 18, the reactor 1 can be used as a batch reactor or a continuous reactor.

[0090] For example, by stopping the removal of product 12 from the reactor 1 using the first removal rate adjustment unit 18, supplying a certain amount of material to be processed 11 to the reactor 1 using the first supply rate adjustment unit 14, then stopping the supply of material to be processed 11 to the reactor 1 using the first supply rate adjustment unit 14, and then heating the material to be processed 11 with particles 3, the reactor 1 can be used as a batch reactor to perform a batch reaction.

[0091] Furthermore, for example, if the first extraction speed adjustment unit 18 continuously extracts the product 12 from the reactor 1 while the first supply speed adjustment unit 14 continuously supplies the material to be processed 11 to the reactor 1, the reactor 1 can be used as a continuous reaction vessel to carry out a continuous reaction.

[0092] -First extraction speed sensor 20- The first extraction speed sensor 20 measures the extraction speed of the product 12 by the first extraction speed adjustment unit 18. The first extraction speed sensor 20 is not particularly limited as long as it can accurately measure the extraction speed of the product 12 by the first extraction speed adjustment unit 18; for example, a known flow sensor for liquids or gases can be used.

[0093] The extraction speed detection signal from the first extraction speed sensor 20 is suitably transmitted to the first extraction speed controller 206d of the control unit 200. The heat treatment apparatus 100 is preferable because it has the first extraction speed sensor 20, which improves the yield of the product 12 and minimizes the power consumption of the particles 3, and because the first extraction speed controller 206d can provide feedback control of the extraction speed of the product extraction unit 7.

[0094] -Product Analysis Department 22- The product analysis unit 22 analyzes the composition of the product 12 extracted from the first extraction rate adjustment unit 18. By analyzing the composition of the product 12, the yield of the desired generated gas contained in the product 12 can be measured. The product analysis unit 22 is not particularly limited as long as it can analyze the composition of the product 12, and known gas analyzers or liquid analyzers such as gas chromatography apparatus, Fourier transform infrared spectrometer, elemental analyzer, etc., can be used.

[0095] If the yield of the desired generated gas contained in the product 12 is below a reference value, the product analysis unit 22 transmits a signal to the first supply rate controller 206b of the control unit 200, allowing for feedback control of the supply rate of the processed material supply unit 5. Furthermore, the product analysis unit 22 transmits a signal to the first temperature controller 206a of the control unit 200, allowing for feedback control of the temperature of the particles 3.

[0096] -Second extraction speed adjustment unit 19- The second extraction speed adjustment unit 19 adjusts the extraction speed at which the particle extraction unit 6 extracts particles 3 from the reactor 1, or stops the particle extraction unit 6 from extracting particles 3 from the reactor 1.

[0097] For the second extraction speed adjustment unit 19, for example, a known pump, a cock, etc., can be used.

[0098] The rate at which the second extraction rate adjustment unit 19 extracts particles 3 from the reactor 1 can be adjusted by the second extraction rate controller 206e of the control unit 200, which will be described later.

[0099] The amount of particles 3 in the reactor 1 can be adjusted by adjusting the supply of particles 3 to the reactor 1 by the second supply rate adjustment unit 15 and the removal of particles 3 from the reactor 1 by the second removal rate adjustment unit 19.

[0100] -Second extraction speed sensor 21- The second extraction speed sensor 21 measures the extraction speed of the particles 3 by the second extraction speed adjustment unit 19. The second extraction speed sensor 21 is not particularly limited as long as it can accurately measure the extraction speed of the particles 3 by the second extraction speed adjustment unit 19; for example, a known flow sensor for solid particles can be used.

[0101] The extraction speed detection signal from the second extraction speed sensor 21 is suitably transmitted to the second extraction speed controller 206e of the control unit 200. The presence of the second extraction speed sensor 21 in the heat treatment apparatus 100 is preferable because it allows the second extraction speed controller 206e to provide feedback control over the extraction speed of the particles 3.

[0102] -Control Unit 200- Figure 1B is a block diagram showing an example of a control unit of a heat treatment apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0103] The control unit 200 optimally controls each component of the heat treatment apparatus 100. For example, depending on the type of material to be treated 11, it controls each component based on processing recipe data 208, which consists of processing conditions such as the temperature of the heating unit 2, the temperature of the particles 3, the rate at which the material to be treated 11 is supplied to the reactor 1 by the first supply rate adjustment unit 14, the rate at which the product 12 is removed from the reactor 1 by the first removal rate adjustment unit 18, the rate at which the particles 3 are supplied to the reactor 1 by the second supply rate adjustment unit 15, and the rate at which the particles 3 are removed from the reactor 1 by the second removal rate adjustment unit 19.

[0104] The control unit 200 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 201, a memory 202, a display unit 203, an input / output unit 204, a communication unit 205, various controllers 206, and a storage unit 207.

[0105] --CPU201-- The CPU 201 reads various programs and data necessary for program execution from the storage unit 207 as needed and uses them.

[0106] --Memory 202-- Memory 202 is used for various processes performed by CPU 201.

[0107] --Display section 203-- The display unit 203 is a liquid crystal display that displays the operation screen, selection screen, etc., of the heat treatment apparatus 100.

[0108] --Input / output section 204-- The input / output unit 204 consists of an operation panel, keyboard, and other components for the operator to perform various operations, such as inputting various types of data and outputting various types of data to a predetermined storage medium.

[0109] --Communications Department 205-- The communications unit 205 handles data exchange via networks and other means.

[0110] --Controller 206-- The various controllers 206 control various parts of the heat treatment apparatus 100. Examples of the various controllers 206 include a first temperature controller 206a, a first supply rate controller 206b, a second supply rate controller 206c, a first extraction rate controller 206d, a second extraction rate controller 206e, and an open / close shutter controller 206f.

[0111] ---First temperature controller 206a--- The first temperature controller 206a controls the temperature of the particles 3 in the reactor 1 by controlling the temperature of the heating unit 2. The first temperature controller 206a can use semiconductor-based phase control, semiconductor-based PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) control, etc. Furthermore, the first temperature controller 206a can take in the temperature detection signal from the temperature sensor 13 of the particles 3 in the reactor 1 and feedback control the temperature of the heating unit 2 using PID (Proportional-Integral-Differential) control or on-off control. Among these, PID control is preferred for the first temperature controller 206a from the viewpoint of suppressing temperature overshoot in the particles 3 in the reactor 1 and suppressing side reactions at high temperatures.

[0112] ---First supply rate controller 206b--- The first supply rate controller 206b controls the supply rate of the material to be processed 11 to the reactor 1 by the first supply rate adjustment unit 14. The first supply rate controller 206b receives the supply rate detection signal from the first supply rate sensor 16 and can feedback control the supply rate of the material to be processed 11 using PID control or on-off control.

[0113] ---Second supply rate controller 206c--- The second supply rate controller 206c controls the supply rate of particles 3 to the reactor 1 by the second supply rate adjustment unit 15. The second supply rate controller 206c receives the supply rate detection signal from the second supply rate sensor 17 and can feedback control the supply rate of particles 3 using PID control or on-off control.

[0114] ---First extraction speed controller 206d--- The first extraction speed controller 206d controls the extraction speed of the product 12 from the reactor 1 by the first extraction speed adjustment unit 18. The first extraction speed controller 206d receives the extraction speed detection signal from the first extraction speed sensor 20 and can feedback control the extraction speed of the product 12 using PID control or on-off control.

[0115] ---Second extraction speed controller 206e--- The second extraction speed controller 206e controls the extraction speed of particles 3 from the reactor 1 by the second extraction speed adjustment unit 19. The second extraction speed controller 206e receives the extraction speed detection signal from the second extraction speed sensor 21 and can feedback control the extraction speed of particles 3 using PID control or on-off control.

[0116] ---Open / Close Shutter Controller 206f--- The open / close shutter controller 206f controls the timing of the removal of particles 3 from the reactor 1 by the open / close shutter 10.

[0117] --Storage section 207-- The memory unit 207 consists of a hard disk drive (HDD) and other components that store various programs executed by the CPU 201 and data necessary for program execution.

[0118] [Example of operation of the heat treatment apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment] Next, a specific example of the operation of the heat treatment apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment will be described. First, the material to be processed 11 is supplied from the material to be processed supply unit 5 into the reactor 1. At this time, the supply rate of the material to be processed 11 into the reactor 1 is adjusted by the first supply rate adjustment unit 14. The supply rate of the material to be processed 11 is measured by the first supply rate sensor 16, and the supply rate detection signal is transmitted to the first supply rate controller 206b of the control unit 200 for control. At the same time, the supply rate detection signal is transmitted to the open / close shutter controller 206f of the control unit 200, and the open / close shutter 10, which is located between the reactor 1 and the particle removal unit 6, is controlled to be in a closed state.

[0119] The material to be processed 11 supplied into the reactor 1 comes into contact with particles 3 and is heated. At this time, the temperature of particles 3 is measured by a temperature sensor 13. The temperature detection signal from the temperature sensor 13 is suitably transmitted to the first temperature controller 206a of the control unit 200. Inside the reactor 1, the material to be processed 11 is heated and product 12 is generated.

[0120] If the temperature of particle 3 is not constant, the temperature of the heating unit 2 is adjusted by feedback control from the first temperature controller 206a of the control unit 200 so that the temperature of particle 3 becomes constant. Also, if the temperature of particle 3 is to be lowered or raised, the temperature of the heating unit 2 is adjusted to the desired temperature by changing the input value to the input / output unit 204 by the operator.

[0121] In the case of a batch reaction, after a desired time has elapsed since the supply of the material to be processed 11, a signal is transmitted to the open / close shutter controller 206f, which controls the open / close shutter 10 to an open state, and the particle removal unit 6 is activated. In the case of a continuous reaction, along with the operation of the material to be processed supply unit 5, a signal is transmitted to the open / close shutter controller 206f, which controls the open / close shutter 10 to an open state, and the particle removal unit 6 is activated. As a result, particles 3, product 12, and reaction residue are removed from the particle removal unit 6. At this time, the first supply rate adjustment unit 14 adjusts the supply rate of the material to be processed 11 to the reactor 1, and the first removal rate adjustment unit 18 adjusts the removal rate of the product 12 from the reactor 1. The removal rate of the product 12 is measured by the first removal rate sensor 20, and the removal rate detection signal is transmitted to the first removal rate controller 206d of the control unit 200.

[0122] In a continuous reaction, if the supply rate of the material to be processed 11 exceeds the extraction rate of the product 12, and the material to be processed 11 in the reactor 1 is about to overflow, feedback control is used to either slow down the supply rate of the material to be processed 11 by the first supply rate controller 206b, or increase the extraction rate of the product 12 by the first extraction rate controller 206d. This ensures that a certain amount of material to be processed 11 comes into contact with the particles 3. Furthermore, if the composition of the product 12 detected by the product analysis unit 22 falls outside the desired range, the first supply rate controller 206b adjusts the supply rate of the material to be processed 11, or the first temperature controller 206a adjusts the temperature of the particles 3, according to a pre-registered program.

[0123] In the series of reactions described above, particles 3 are intermittently supplied to and removed from the reactor 1. For example, if deterioration and / or coking of particles 3 is detected, the supply of particles 3 from the particle supply unit 4 and the removal of particles 3 from the particle removal unit 6 are started, and the particles 3 in the reactor 1 are replaced with particles 3 that are not deteriorated and / or coked. This allows the heat treatment apparatus 100 to operate continuously and stably. This can be achieved by the operator changing the input value to the input / output unit 204 to stop or start the supply and removal of particles 3.

[0124] During the exchange of particles 3 within the reactor 1, the supply rate of particles 3 to the reactor 1 is adjusted by the second supply rate adjustment unit 15. The supply rate of particles 3 is measured by the second supply rate sensor 17, and the supply rate detection signal is transmitted to the second supply rate controller 206c of the control unit 200 for control. In addition, the removal rate of particles 3 from the reactor 1 is adjusted by the second removal rate adjustment unit 19. The removal rate of particles 3 from the reactor 1 is measured by the second removal rate sensor 21, and the removal rate detection signal is transmitted to the second removal rate controller 206e of the control unit 200 for control.

[0125] These operations can be stored in the memory unit 207, and the desired reaction conditions can be read from the memory unit 207 and used as appropriate.

[0126] In this way, the heat treatment apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment can operate stably for a long period of time, efficiently thermally decompose the object to be treated 11, and prevent deterioration due to heat.

[0127] <Second Embodiment> Figure 2A is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a heat treatment apparatus according to the second embodiment of this disclosure. The heat treatment apparatus according to the second embodiment of this disclosure differs from the heat treatment apparatus according to the first embodiment in that it further comprises an inert gas supply unit 30. Furthermore, the heat treatment apparatus according to the second embodiment of this disclosure may further comprise other components related to the inert gas supply unit 30.

[0128] <<Inert gas supply unit 30>> The inert gas supply unit 30 is connected to the reactor 1 and supplies inert gas 31 to the reactor 1.

[0129] In this disclosure, "connecting" the inert gas supply unit 30 to the reactor 1 means that the inside of the inert gas supply unit 30 and the inside of the reactor 1 are in communication so that the inert gas 31 can pass through them.

[0130] There are no particular restrictions on the material of the inert gas supply unit 30; for example, it can be appropriately selected from the same materials as those used for the reactor 1, depending on the purpose.

[0131] The shape, structure, and size of the inert gas supply unit 30 are not particularly limited as long as it can be connected to the reactor 1 and supply inert gas 31 to the reactor 1. They can be appropriately selected according to the purpose, for example, a cylindrical shape or a rectangular parallelepiped. Also, if a part of the reactor 1 has an opening, this opening can be used as the inert gas supply unit 30.

[0132] The location of the inert gas supply unit 30 is not particularly restricted as long as it can be connected to the reactor 1, and can be appropriately selected depending on the type of material to be processed 11.

[0133] Note that the material to be processed supply unit 5 and the inert gas supply unit 30 may be the same. That is, a single component located at the same position may be both the material to be processed supply unit 5, which supplies the material to be processed 11 to the reactor 1, and the inert gas supply unit 30, which supplies the inert gas 31 to the reactor 1. In this case, both the first supply rate adjustment unit 14 and the inert gas supply rate adjustment unit 32, which will be described later, are a single component located at the same position.

[0134] -Inert gas 31- There are no particular restrictions on the type of inert gas used; it can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. Examples include noble gases such as argon, nitrogen gas, and water vapor. These may be used individually or in combination of two or more.

[0135] <<Other components>> The heat treatment apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment of this disclosure may also have other components, such as an inert gas supply rate adjustment unit 32 and an inert gas supply rate sensor 33, and the controller 206 of the control unit 200 may have an inert gas supply rate controller 206g.

[0136] -Inert gas supply rate adjustment unit 32- The inert gas supply rate adjustment unit 32 adjusts the supply rate at which the inert gas supply unit 30 supplies inert gas 31 to the reactor 1, or stops the supply of inert gas 31 to the reactor 1 by the inert gas supply unit 30.

[0137] For example, a known pump, a cock, or the like can be used as the inert gas supply rate adjustment unit 32.

[0138] The rate at which the inert gas 31 is supplied to the reactor 1 by the inert gas supply rate adjustment unit 32 can be adjusted by the controller 206 of the control unit 200 using the inert gas supply rate controller 206g.

[0139] -Inert gas supply rate sensor 33- The inert gas supply rate sensor 33 measures the supply rate of the inert gas 31 by the inert gas supply rate adjustment unit 32. The inert gas supply rate sensor 33 is not particularly limited as long as it can accurately measure the supply rate of the inert gas 31 by the inert gas supply rate adjustment unit 32; for example, a known flow sensor for liquids or gases can be used.

[0140] -Control Unit 200- Figure 2B is a block diagram showing an example of a control unit of a heat treatment apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. The control unit 200 of the heat treatment apparatus according to the second embodiment differs from the control unit 200 of the heat treatment apparatus according to the first embodiment in that the controller 206 has an inert gas supply rate controller 206g.

[0141] --Inert gas supply rate controller 206g-- The inert gas supply rate controller 206g controls the supply rate of the inert gas 31 by the inert gas supply rate adjustment unit 32. The inert gas supply rate controller 206g receives the inert gas supply rate detection signal from the inert gas supply rate sensor 33 and can feedback control the amount of inert gas 31 supplied by PID control or on-off control.

[0142] [Example of operation of the heat treatment apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment] Next, a specific example of the operation of the heat treatment apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment will be described, highlighting the differences from the heat treatment apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment. Inert gas 31 is supplied into the reactor 1 from the inert gas supply unit 30. At this time, the inert gas supply rate adjustment unit 32 adjusts the supply rate of the inert gas 31 into the reactor 1. The supply rate of the inert gas 31 is measured by the inert gas supply rate sensor 33, and the inert gas supply rate detection signal is transmitted to the inert gas supply rate controller 206g of the control unit 200 for control.

[0143] The timing of starting or stopping the supply of inert gas 31, the supply amount, and the supply rate can be controlled by the operator by changing the input values ​​to the input / output unit 204. Furthermore, if the measured value obtained by the inert gas supply rate sensor 33 differs from the input value for the supply rate of inert gas 31, the inert gas supply rate controller 206g provides feedback control to adjust the supply of a constant amount of inert gas 31 into the reactor 1 according to the input value.

[0144] The inert gas 31 supplied into the reactor 1 may be discharged from the product removal section 7 to the outside of the reactor 1 along with the removal of the product 12 from the product removal section 7, or it may be discharged from the particle removal section 6 to the outside of the reactor 1 along with the removal of the particles 3 from the particle removal section 6, or it may be discharged from both the product removal section 7 and the particle removal section 6.

[0145] The discharge rate of the inert gas 31 from the product extraction unit 7 is adjusted by the first extraction rate adjustment unit 18 together with the extraction rate of the product 12 from the reactor 1. The extraction rates of the product 12 and the inert gas 31 are measured by the first extraction rate sensor 20, and the extraction rate detection signal is transmitted to the first extraction rate controller 206d of the control unit 200 for control.

[0146] The discharge rate of the inert gas 31 from the product extraction unit 7 is adjusted in the second extraction rate adjustment unit 19 together with the extraction rate of the particles 3 from the reactor 1. The extraction rates of the particles 3 and the inert gas 31 are measured by the second extraction rate sensor 21, and the extraction rate detection signal is transmitted to the second extraction rate controller 206e of the control unit 200. In this case, it is preferable that the heat treatment apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment has both a flow rate sensor for solid particles and a flow rate sensor for gases in the second extraction rate sensor 21.

[0147] In this way, the heat treatment apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment can further efficiently thermally decompose the object to be treated 11.

[0148] <Third Embodiment> Figure 3A is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a heat treatment apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure. The heat treatment apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure differs from the heat treatment apparatus according to the first embodiment in that it includes a particle recovery unit 9 arranged in the direction of particle extraction for recovering particles, and further includes a conveying unit 40 for conveying particles 3 from the particle recovery unit 9 to the particle supply unit 4. Furthermore, the heat treatment apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure may further include other components related to the conveying unit 40.

[0149] Furthermore, the heat treatment apparatus according to the third embodiment may also be the heat treatment apparatus according to the second embodiment, further comprising a transport unit 40.

[0150] <<Conveying section 40>> The conveying unit 40 conveys the particles 3 from the particle extraction unit 6 to the particle supply unit 4. In Figure 3A, the direction of conveyance of the particles 3 is indicated by an arrow. Preferably, the conveying unit 40 has a conveying channel and conveying means.

[0151] -Conveyor channel- The conveying channel is the channel for the particles 3 and constitutes the exterior of the conveying unit 40. There are no particular restrictions on the material of the conveying unit 40, and it can be appropriately selected according to the type of conveying means, but it is preferable that it has heat resistance, and for example, it can be appropriately selected from the same materials as the reactor 1, depending on the purpose.

[0152] The shape, structure, and size of the transport channel are not particularly limited as long as they can transport the particles 3, and examples include cylindrical, rectangular parallelepiped, or a combination thereof. Furthermore, the size of the transport channel is not particularly limited as long as it has a length and inner diameter that allows the particles 3 to be transported from the particle extraction section 6 to the particle supply section 4.

[0153] -Conveying means- There are no particular restrictions on the means used to transport the particles 3 by the transport unit 40, and they can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. Examples include transport gas, screw conveyors, bucket conveyors, and vacuum conveyors. Furthermore, if there is a part within the transport unit 40 that transports the particles 3 in the direction of gravity, the particles 3 may be transported by gravity without providing any special transport means.

[0154] When the transport path of the transport unit 40 is divided in the order of transport into a region 40A for taking out particles 3 taken out from the particle extraction unit 6 in the Y-axis direction, a region 40B for transporting particles 3 from region 40A in the X-axis direction, a region 40C for transporting particles 3 from region 40B in the Y-axis direction, and a region 40D for transporting particles 3 from region 40C to the particle supply unit 4 in the X-axis direction, the transport means for regions 40A, 40B, 40C, and 40D may all be the same, or two or more regions may be different. When two or more regions have different transport means, the means for transporting the particles 3 may be used individually or in combination of two or more types.

[0155] Furthermore, the transport channel of the transport unit 40 does not necessarily consist of four regions: region 40A, region 40B, region 40C, and region 40D. For example, if the particle extraction unit 6 is located on the side of the reactor 1, region 40A, which extracts particles 3 in the Y-axis direction, becomes unnecessary, and the particle extraction unit 6 can be directly connected to region 40B, which transports particles 3 in the X-axis direction. In this way, the transport channel of the transport unit 40 can consist of one or more regions depending on the arrangement of each unit.

[0156] --Transport gas-- When using a conveying gas as a conveying means, the gas used may be the inert gas 31 discharged from the particle extraction unit 6, or a gas generator may be placed in one or more locations within the conveying unit 40 to generate the conveying gas. Alternatively, the inert gas 31 may be used as the conveying gas, and a gas generator may also be placed in one or more locations within the conveying unit 40.

[0157] Within the transport section 40, possible locations for the gas generator include, but are not limited to, the outlet of the particle extraction section 6, the space between region 40A and region 40B, the space between region 40B and region 40C, and the space between region 40C and region 40D.

[0158] There are no particular restrictions on the type of conveying gas, as long as it does not affect the properties of the particles 3, and it can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. Examples include inert gases such as nitrogen gas and argon gas. Also, when conveying the particles 3 while maintaining their temperature at 150°C or below, the conveying gas may be air. However, when using air as the conveying gas, the second supply rate adjustment unit 15 is structured to supply only the particles 3 into the reactor 1, and not allow the conveying gas to enter the reactor 1.

[0159] -Screw Conveyor- When using a screw conveyor as a means of transport, there are no particular restrictions on the material of the screw conveyor, but it is preferable that it be made of a heat-resistant material. For example, it can be appropriately selected from the same materials as those used for reactor 1, depending on the purpose.

[0160] When using a screw conveyor as a means of conveying, there are no particular restrictions on the shape, structure, and size of the screw conveyor, as long as it can convey the particles 3, and it can be appropriately selected from known screw conveyors used for conveying powders. An example of a known screw conveyor is the Sanitary Screw Conveyor U-Trough Type (manufactured by Fukuchi Sangyo Co., Ltd.).

[0161] -Bucket conveyor- When using a bucket conveyor as a means of transport, there are no particular restrictions on the material of the bucket conveyor, but it is preferable that it be made of a heat-resistant material. For example, it can be appropriately selected from the same materials as those used for reactor 1, depending on the purpose.

[0162] When using a bucket conveyor as a means of transport, there are no particular restrictions on the shape, structure, and size of the bucket conveyor as long as it can transport particles 3, and it can be appropriately selected from known bucket conveyors used for transporting powders. Examples of known bucket conveyors include NFV Flight Bear, BLF Flight Bear, PA Pivot Bear, LC Flow (all manufactured by Tsubakimoto Chain Co., Ltd.), SB type Snecon, and SBP type Snecon (products of ESTEC Co., Ltd.).

[0163] -Vacuum conveyor- When using a vacuum conveyor as a means of transport, there are no particular restrictions on the material of the vacuum conveyor, but it is preferable that it be made of a heat-resistant material. For example, it can be appropriately selected from the same materials as those used for the reactor 1, depending on the purpose.

[0164] When using a vacuum conveyor as a means of conveyance, there are no particular restrictions on the shape, structure, and size of the vacuum conveyor as long as it can convey the particles 3, and it can be appropriately selected from known vacuum conveyors used for conveying powders. Examples of known vacuum conveyors include the piFLOW® series (manufactured by piab) and the VS series (manufactured by Volkmann).

[0165] Specific examples of the conveying section include, for instance, a method in which particles 3 are taken out from the particle extraction section 6 along with inert gas 31 in the Y-axis direction, the particles 3 are conveyed in region 40A by the inert gas 31, a gas generator is placed between region 40A and region 40B, the particles 3 are conveyed from region 40A to region 40B by the inert gas 31 and the conveying gas generated by the gas generator, the particles 3 are conveyed from region 40C to region 40D by a screw conveyor, a gas generator is placed between region 40C and region 40D, and the particles 3 conveyed by the screw conveyor in region 40C are conveyed to the particle supply section 4 by the conveying gas. Thus, the conveying means may be used in appropriate combinations depending on the purpose.

[0166] <<Other components>> Other components are not particularly limited as long as they do not impair the effects of the heat treatment apparatus according to the third embodiment of this disclosure. For example, the controller 206 of the control unit 200 may have a transport speed controller 206h. The heat treatment apparatus according to the third embodiment may also have a storage unit in any region of the transport unit 40 for temporarily storing the particles 3 taken from the heating unit 2 before transporting them to the particle supply unit 4.

[0167] -Control Unit 200- Figure 3B is a block diagram showing an example of a control unit of a heat treatment apparatus according to the third embodiment of this disclosure. The control unit 200 of the heat treatment apparatus according to the third embodiment differs from the control unit 200 of the heat treatment apparatus according to the first embodiment in that it has a transport speed controller 206h.

[0168] --Conveyor speed controller 206h-- The transport speed controller 206h controls the transport speed of the particles 3 by the transport unit 40. The transport speed controller 206h receives the extraction speed detection signal from the second extraction speed sensor 21 and the supply speed detection signal from the second supply speed sensor 17, and can feedback control the transport speed of the particles 3 using PID control or on-off control.

[0169] [Example of operation of the heat treatment apparatus 100 according to the third embodiment] Next, a specific example of the operation of the heat treatment apparatus 100 according to the third embodiment will be described, highlighting the differences from the heat treatment apparatus 100 according to the first and second embodiments. The particles 3 are transported from the particle removal unit 6 to the particle supply unit 4 by the transport unit 40. At this time, the second removal speed adjustment unit 19 adjusts the removal speed of the particles 3 from the reactor 1 to the transport unit 40. The second supply speed adjustment unit 15 adjusts the supply speed of the particles 3 from the transport unit 40 to the reactor 1. The removal speed of the particles 3 is measured by the second removal speed sensor 21, and the particle removal speed detection signal is transmitted to the second removal speed controller 206e and the transport speed controller 206h of the control unit 200. The supply speed of the particles 3 is measured by the second supply speed sensor 17, and the particle removal speed detection signal is transmitted to the second supply speed controller 206c and the transport speed controller 206h of the control unit 200.

[0170] The transport speed of the particles 3 in the transport unit 40 controlled by the transport speed controller 206h may be controlled collectively for the transport speeds of the particles 3 in regions 40A, 40B, 40C, and 40D, or the transport speeds of the particles 3 in regions 40A, 40B, 40C, and 40D may be controlled individually.

[0171] In this way, the heat treatment apparatus 100 according to the third embodiment can reuse the particles 3 used in the reactor 1, and can operate more efficiently, inexpensively, and stably for a long period of time.

[0172] (Operation method of heat treatment equipment) An operating method of a heat treatment apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure involves heat-treating an object to be treated using the heat treatment apparatus of the present disclosure.

[0173] A method for operating a heat treatment apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a supply step of supplying particles and a material to be treated from a supply unit into the inside of a reactor; a heating step of heating the particles in a heating unit while bringing the particles into contact with the material to be treated; and a removal step of removing the product from a product removal unit connected to the reactor via a disperser. The heat treatment method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may further include other processes as necessary.

[0174] Figure 4 is an example of a flowchart of the operation method of a heat treatment apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0175] <Supply process S101> In the supply process S101, particles 3 and materials to be processed 11 are supplied to the reactor 1 from the particle supply unit 4 and the materials to be processed supply unit 5, respectively.

[0176] There are no particular restrictions on the supply rate of particles 3 to the reactor 1, and it can be selected as appropriate for the purpose. There are no particular restrictions on the supply rate of materials to be processed 11 to the reactor 1, and it can be selected as appropriate for the type of materials to be processed 11, etc.

[0177] <Heating process S102> In the heating step S102, the particles 3 are heated in the heating unit 2 while in contact with the object to be processed 11. The supply step S101 and the heating step S102 may be performed separately or simultaneously.

[0178] There are no particular restrictions on the heating temperature in heating step S102, and it can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose, but 400°C or higher is preferred, 650°C to 950°C is more preferred, and 700°C to 900°C is even more preferred.

[0179] Furthermore, the heating temperature should be controlled so that the inner surface of the reactor 1 does not become so hot that the material cannot be used stably. The relationship between the heating temperature and the temperature of the inner surface of the reactor 1 varies depending on various conditions such as the distance between the inner surface of the reactor 1 and the particles 3, the type of inert gas 31, and the supply rate of the inert gas 31. For example, if the inert gas 31 is nitrogen gas or water vapor, and the distance between the inner surface of the reactor 1 and the particles 3 is 2 mm or more and 15 mm or less, a heating temperature of 750°C or less is preferable because the temperature of the inner surface of the reactor 1 does not rise too high, and SUS316 stainless steel or SUS316L stainless steel can be used.

[0180] When product 12 is at least one chemical selected from the group consisting of olefins having 1 to 10 carbon atoms and aromatic hydrocarbons, and heating step S102 is performed without a catalyst, the supply rate v(m) of the inert gas 31 3 The value calculated by the following formula 1 for the ( / minute) is preferably between 0.05 and 10, and more preferably between 0.1 and 4. [Formula 1] 60 x L R ×(AB) / v However, in Equation 1, L R A represents the length (m) of particle 3, and A represents the cross-sectional area (m) of reactor 1. 2 ) shows that B is the cross-sectional area of ​​particle 3 (m 2 ) indicates that v is the supply rate of the inert gas 31 v(m 3 This indicates the time ( / minute).

[0181] <Product extraction process S103> The product extraction step S103 involves extracting the product 12 from the product extraction unit 7, which is connected to the reactor 1 via the disperser 8. The product extraction step S103 is performed in the heating step S102.

[0182] <Particle extraction process S104> The particle extraction process S104 may be performed together with or between any of the processes in the flowchart 300. That is, the particle extraction process S104 may be performed intermittently before or after any appropriately selected process between each of the processes in the flowchart 300, or it may be performed continuously during or together with each of the processes in the flowchart 300.

[0183] <Other processing> Other processes are not particularly limited and can be selected as appropriate depending on the purpose. Examples include a regeneration process, an inert gas supply process, a plastic pretreatment process, a process for recovering useful components from the product 12 obtained by decomposing the plastic, and a process for separating useful components.

[0184] <<Regeneration process>> The regeneration process involves transporting particles from the particle recovery unit to the supply unit via the transport unit after the particle extraction process S104, and reusing the particles. The regeneration process is carried out by the transport unit.

[0185] The inert gas supply process involves supplying inert gas to the inside of the reactor. The inert gas supply process is performed by the inert gas supply unit.

[0186] <<Pre-treatment process>> The pretreatment step is the pretreatment of the plastic before subjecting it to the heating step S102. By making the plastic easier to decompose in the pretreatment step, the plastic can be decomposed more efficiently in the heating step S102.

[0187] Examples of pretreatment processes include crushing the plastic, pelletizing (chipping) the crushed plastic, and melting the plastic.

[0188] There are no particular restrictions on the method for obtaining pulverized plastic, and any conventionally known method can be appropriately selected. For example, a method of crushing plastic with a pulverizer to obtain powder or flakes can be used.

[0189] Furthermore, there are no particular restrictions on the method of pelletizing (chipping) the pulverized material, and any conventionally known method can be appropriately selected. For example, one method is to melt-extrude the pulverized material and then cut the strand-shaped melt-extruded material to obtain chipped raw material.

[0190] There are no particular restrictions on the melting treatment of the plastic, and a suitable method can be selected from conventionally known methods. However, it is preferable to treat the plastic at a temperature above its melting point and below its thermal decomposition temperature, and more preferably at a temperature of 100°C to 300°C.

[0191] Plastics can also be supplied to the heat treatment as a molten material; for example, this can be done by supplying them to the heat treatment using a molten extruder.

[0192] <<Disassembly process>> The decomposition process is a process of decomposing the plastic before subjecting it to the heating process S102. In the decomposition process, the plastic may be used as is, or it may be used after pre-treatment.

[0193] There are no particular restrictions on the method of decomposing plastic, and any conventionally known method can be appropriately selected. For example, one method is to heat-treat the plastic at a temperature above its decomposition temperature (e.g., 200°C or higher).

[0194] The material to be processed 11 may also be plastic decomposition products, which may be supplied to the reactor 1 using, for example, a melt extruder.

[0195] <<Recovery Process>> The recovery process involves recovering gases, which are products containing ethylene and other lower olefins obtained by decomposing the plastic in the heating process S102, as well as liquid substances as needed. The recovery process is carried out by the recovery unit.

[0196] There are no particular restrictions on the recovery method, and a method can be appropriately selected from known methods depending on the type of product obtained. For example, gaseous products can be separated by pressurized distillation at atmospheric pressure, and liquid hydrocarbons can be separated by atmospheric pressure and reduced pressure distillation.

[0197] <<Separation process>> The separation process involves separating only the useful components from the gas and liquid substances recovered in the recovery process and removing unwanted components. The separation process is carried out by the separation unit described above.

[0198] By decomposing plastics, useful components such as ethylene and other lower olefins may be generated, as well as by-components such as hydrocarbon compounds with 1 to 10 carbon atoms.

[0199] In the separation process, there are no particular restrictions on the method used to separate the useful components from the by-components, and a method can be appropriately selected from known methods depending on the type of product obtained or the type of by-component.

[0200] (Method for producing hydrocarbon compounds) A method for producing a hydrocarbon compound according to one embodiment of the present disclosure involves heat-treating the object to be treated using the heat treatment apparatus of the present disclosure.

[0201] A method for producing a hydrocarbon compound according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a supply step of supplying particles and a material to be processed from a supply unit into the inside of a reactor; a heating step of heating the particles in a heating unit while bringing the particles and the material to be processed into contact; a production step of producing a hydrocarbon compound by bringing the particles and the material to be processed into contact inside the reactor; and a extraction step of extracting the hydrocarbon compound from a product extraction unit connected to the reactor via a disperser. The heat treatment method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may further include other processes as necessary.

[0202] Figure 5 is an example of a flowchart of a method for producing a hydrocarbon compound according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0203] <Supply process S201> In the supply process S201, particles 3 and materials to be processed 11 are supplied to the reactor 1 from the particle supply unit 4 and the materials to be processed supply unit 5, respectively.

[0204] There are no particular restrictions on the supply rate of particles 3 to the reactor 1, and it can be selected as appropriate for the purpose. There are no particular restrictions on the supply rate of materials to be processed 11 to the reactor 1, and it can be selected as appropriate for the type of materials to be processed 11, etc.

[0205] <Heating process S202> In the heating step S202, the particles 3 are heated in the heating unit 2 while being in contact with the object to be processed 11. The supply step S201 and the heating step S202 may be performed separately or simultaneously.

[0206] There are no particular restrictions on the heating temperature in heating step S202, and it can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose, but 400°C or higher is preferred, 650°C to 950°C is more preferred, and 700°C to 900°C is even more preferred.

[0207] Furthermore, the heating temperature should be controlled so that the inner surface of the reactor 1 does not become so hot that the material cannot be used stably. The relationship between the heating temperature and the temperature of the inner surface of the reactor 1 varies depending on various conditions such as the distance between the inner surface of the reactor 1 and the particles 3, the type of inert gas 31, and the supply rate of the inert gas 31. For example, if the inert gas 31 is nitrogen gas or water vapor, and the distance between the inner surface of the reactor 1 and the particles 3 is 2 mm or more and 15 mm or less, a heating temperature of 750°C or less is preferable because the temperature of the inner surface of the reactor 1 does not rise too high, and SUS316 stainless steel or SUS316L stainless steel can be used.

[0208] When product 12 is at least one chemical selected from the group consisting of olefins having 1 to 10 carbon atoms and aromatic hydrocarbons, and heating step S202 is performed without a catalyst, the supply rate v(m) of the inert gas 31 3The numerical value calculated by the following formula 2 is preferably set to be 0.05 to 10, and more preferably 0.1 to 4. [Formula 2] 60×L R ×(A - B) / v However, in Formula 1, L R represents the length (m) of the particle 3, A represents the cross-sectional area (m 2 ) of the reactor 1, B represents the cross-sectional area (m 2 ) of the particle 3, and v represents the supply rate v (m 3 / min) of the inert gas 31.

[0209] <Production Step S203> In the production step S203, the particle 3 and the object to be treated 11 are brought into contact inside the reactor 1 to generate a hydrocarbon compound. The production step S203 is performed in the heating step S202.

[0210] The hydrocarbon compound is a hydrocarbon compound having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and is, for example, at least one chemical selected from the group consisting of olefins and aromatic hydrocarbons.

[0211] <Other Treatments> There are no particular restrictions on other treatments, and they can be appropriately selected according to the purpose, and the same treatments as those in other treatments in the operation method of the heat treatment device can be performed. For example, a regeneration step, an inert gas supply step, a pretreatment step for plastic, a recovery step for useful components in the product 12 obtained by decomposing plastic, a separation step for useful components, etc. can be mentioned.

[0212] As described above, this disclosure has been explained based on specific embodiments, but these embodiments are merely examples, and this disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments. The above embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various combinations, omissions, substitutions, additions, modifications, etc., are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims of the invention and its equivalents. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0213] 1… Reactor 2...Heating part 3…particles 4...Particle supply section 5… Processing material supply unit 6...Particle extraction section 7…Product extraction section 8...Distributor 9...Particle recovery unit 10…Openable shutter 11...Objects to be processed 12...Product 13…Temperature sensor 14...First supply speed adjustment section 15...Second supply speed adjustment section 16…First supply rate sensor 17…Second supply rate sensor 18...First extraction speed adjustment unit 19...Second extraction speed adjustment unit 20...First extraction speed sensor 21...Second extraction speed sensor 22...Product analysis department 30...Inert gas supply unit 31...Inert gas 32...Inert gas supply rate adjustment unit 33...Inert gas supply rate sensor 40…Conveyor Unit 100... Heat treatment equipment 200... Control Unit 202...Memory 203...Display section 204…Input / output section 205... Communications Department 206... Various controllers 206a...First temperature controller 206b...First supply rate controller 206c...Second supply rate controller 206d...First extraction speed controller 206e...Second extraction speed controller 206f... Open / close shutter controller 206g...Inert gas supply rate controller 206h... Conveyor speed controller 207...Storage section 208…Processing recipe data

Claims

1. A reactor with particles arranged inside, A heating section for heating the aforementioned particles, A particle supply unit connected to the reactor and supplying the particles to the reactor, A processing material supply unit connected to the reactor and supplying the processing material to the reactor, A particle extraction unit connected to the reactor and used to extract the particles from the reactor, An openable and closable shutter is positioned between the reactor and the particle removal section, A product extraction unit connected to the particle extraction unit for extracting products from the reactor, A disperser is disposed between the particle extraction unit and the product extraction unit, A heat treatment apparatus characterized by comprising the following:

2. The heat treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the disperser has through holes, and the inner diameter of the through holes is smaller than the number-average particle size of the particles.

3. The heat treatment apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, comprising a plurality of the dispersers and the product extraction units.

4. The heat treatment apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising an inert gas supply unit connected to the reactor and supplying an inert gas to the reactor.

5. The heat treatment apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising a particle recovery unit connected to the particle extraction unit, positioned in the direction of particle extraction, and for recovering the particles.

6. The heat treatment apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a conveying unit for conveying the particles from the particle recovery unit to the particle supply unit.

7. The heat treatment apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the particle supply unit and the processing material supply unit are integrated into one unit.

8. The heat treatment apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the particles are elements, alloys, oxides, carbides, or nitrides of one or more elements selected from groups 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15.

9. A supply process involves supplying particles and materials to be processed from a supply unit into the inside of the reactor, A heating step in which the particles are heated in a heating section while the particles are in contact with the object to be processed, A product extraction step is performed to extract the product from the product extraction unit, which is connected to the reactor and the disperser via the aforementioned reactor, A method for operating a heat treatment apparatus, including the operation of the heat treatment apparatus.

10. A regeneration process in which the particles are transported from a particle recovery unit that collects the particles to a supply unit via a transport unit, and the particles are reused, A method for operating the heat treatment apparatus according to claim 9, including the method described in claim 9.

11. The method for operating the heat treatment apparatus according to claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the material to be treated is a waste plastic composition.

12. The method for operating the heat treatment apparatus according to claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the product is a hydrocarbon compound.

13. The method for operating a heat treatment apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the hydrocarbon compound is a hydrocarbon compound having 1 to 10 carbon atoms.

14. The process includes supplying an inert gas to the inside of the reactor, The method for operating a heat treatment apparatus according to claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the inert gas is one or more selected from nitrogen, water vapor, and noble gases.

15. A supply process involves supplying particles and materials to be processed from a supply unit into the inside of the reactor, A heating step in which the particles are heated in a heating section while the particles are in contact with the object to be processed, A production step in which the particles and the object to be processed are brought into contact inside the reactor to produce a hydrocarbon compound, A extraction step for extracting hydrocarbon compounds from a product extraction unit connected to the reactor via a disperser, A method for producing hydrocarbon compounds, including

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