Synthetic fuel production device and production method

Abstract

Provided is a synthetic fuel production apparatus capable of realizing a plurality of processes with a single unit when producing synthetic fuel by mixing oil and water. 【Solution means】In order to continuously perform the steps of mixing and reacting water and oil with different specific gravities and then separating the two types of liquids, a reaction / separation tank T3, T4 having an inner reaction tank T3 and an outer separation tank T4 is provided. The inner reaction tank T3 reacts while stirring the mixed liquid sent by the stirring pump P2, and the mixed liquid is discharged from the lower part of the reaction tank T3 to the outer separation tank T4 through a separation pipe 3 that sends it to the upper part of the separation tank T4. The discharged mixed liquid is separated into two types due to the difference in specific gravity and discharged from the oil discharge port at the upper part of the separation tank and the water discharge port at the lower part of the separation tank. At this time, the separation pipe 3 can adjust the outlet height to the separation tank according to the reaction time in the reaction tank T3.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a production apparatus for producing a hydrocarbon-based synthetic fuel equivalent to a base oil by adding water to a hydrocarbon-based fuel base oil, and a production method using the apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, attempts have been made to increase the amount of oil by mixing water with fossil fuels, reduce the emission of CO2 (carbon dioxide), and reduce the environmental load.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a process for generating activated water by irradiating water with ultrasonic waves, a stirring and mixing step of adding a hydrocarbon fuel base oil to the activated water and stirring and mixing it under a reactive environment, a fusing step of fusing the fuel base oil and the activated water under a reactive environment through the stirring and mixing step, and a primary generated hydrocarbon-based fuel oil collecting step of collecting the fuel oil obtained from the mixed liquid through the fusing step as a primary generated hydrocarbon-based fuel oil. The primary generated hydrocarbon-based fuel is used as a secondary fuel base oil, and the stirring and mixing step, the fusing step, and the fuel oil collecting step are repeated to obtain a secondary generated hydrocarbon-based fuel oil. Subsequently, the obtained hydrocarbon-based fuel oil is sequentially used as a fuel base oil, and the above steps are repeated a plurality of times to generate a plurality of times generated hydrocarbon-based fuel oil having a volume larger than the initial fuel base oil. In the reactive environment in the stirring and mixing step, a technique of stirring water while irradiating ultrasonic waves to water added with a catalyst is disclosed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in the above Patent Document 1, only emulsified fuel oil is produced by simply mixing fuel oil and water with the addition of catalase as a reaction accelerator, and synthetic fuel in which fuel oil and water are organically chemically bonded is not produced.

[0006] Moreover, since a large-scale manufacturing apparatus in which equipment such as a reaction tank for stirring and mixing fuel oil and water and fusing them, a settling tank for primarily storing the purified liquid after the fusing step, and further a reaction accelerator injection unit for supplying a reaction accelerator (catalase) are respectively connected is required, there is a drawback that the manufacturing equipment space also becomes large.

[0007] In view of the above, the present invention aims to provide a synthetic fuel manufacturing apparatus and a manufacturing method capable of reacting oil and water while stirring to produce synthetic fuel, that is, artificially combining hydrogen (H2) and carbon (C) to form hydrocarbons, and performing separation and discharge in a simultaneous parallel operation, and realizing a plurality of processes with one unit.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, in an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a synthetic fuel manufacturing apparatus for continuously performing a step of mixing and reacting water and oil having different specific gravities and then separating the two types of liquids, comprising a reaction / separation tank having at least an inner reaction tank and an outer separation tank, wherein the inner reaction tank stirs and reacts a mixed liquid fed by mixing two liquids of water and oil by a stirring pump, and is provided with a separation pipe for taking out the reacted mixed liquid from the lower part of the reaction tank and sending it to the upper part of the outer separation tank, the outer separation tank separates the mixed liquid discharged from the inner reaction tank into oil and water due to the difference in specific gravity, an oil discharge port is provided at the upper part of the separation tank, a water discharge port is provided at the lower part of the separation tank, and the separation pipe is characterized in that the height of the outlet to the separation tank is adjustable.

[0009] In the above configuration, a reaction-separation tank having an inner reaction tank and an outer separation tank is used. In the inner reaction tank, a reaction step is carried out in which a mixed liquid of water and oil is stirred by a stirring pump while reacting, and the mixed liquid reacted in the reaction step is discharged from the lower part of the reaction tank and sent to the upper part of the separation tank by a separation pipe, and the mixed liquid is discharged to the outer separation tank. A separation step of separating the mixed liquid discharged from the reaction tank into oil and water due to the difference in specific gravity, an oil discharge step of discharging the oil separated in the separation step from the upper part of the separation tank, and a water discharge step of discharging the water separated in the separation step from the lower part of the separation tank can be continuously carried out by one reaction-separation tank.

[0010] In the reaction step of the two liquids of water and oil, the reaction time depends on the amount of the mixed liquid and the discharge time from the reaction tank. If the outlet height of the separation pipe is too low, the mixed liquid will be discharged before the reaction is completed and the target yield cannot be obtained. Conversely, if the outlet height of the separation pipe is too high, the residence time in the reaction tank will be too long and a reverse reaction will occur, resulting in the inability to obtain the target yield. Therefore, the outlet height of the separation pipe is adjusted to ensure an appropriate reaction time for the mixed liquid and to ensure the target yield.

[0011] In this case, the separation pipe includes an outer pipe and an inner pipe fitted inside the outer pipe, and both pipes are movable in the pipe length direction relative to each other so that the outlet height to the separation tank can be adjusted. According to this configuration, the outlet height of the separation pipe can be adjusted with a simple configuration of a double pipe of an outer pipe and an inner pipe.

[0012] Further, the reaction-separation tank can include a water tank for storing and separating the water discharged from the lower part of the separation tank further outside the outer separation tank. Thereby, the reaction step, the separation step, the oil discharge step, and the water discharge step can be continuously carried out by one reaction-separation tank.

[0013] That is, it is a method for producing synthetic fuel in which water and oil with different specific gravities are mixed and reacted, and then the two types of liquids are separated continuously. A reaction-separation tank having an inner reaction tank and an outer separation tank is used. In the inner reaction tank, a reaction step of reacting a mixed liquid of water and fuel oil mixed by a stirring pump while stirring, and a separation pipe that takes out the mixed liquid reacted in the reaction step from the lower part of the reaction tank and sends it to the upper part of the separation tank, discharging it to the outer separation tank, and a separation step of separating the mixed liquid discharged from the reaction tank into oil and water due to the difference in specific gravity, an oil discharge step of discharging the oil separated in the separation step from the upper part of the separation tank, and a water discharge step of discharging the water separated in the separation step from the lower part of the separation tank are included, and the reaction step, separation step, oil discharge step, and water discharge step are carried out simultaneously and continuously by one reaction-separation tank.

Advantages of the Invention

[0014] In the manufacturing apparatus of Patent Document 1 above, the stirring step, reaction step, separation step, and discharge step were carried out in separate tanks. However, in the present invention, the above four steps are carried out simultaneously in a reaction-separation tank, and it has an excellent effect that oil and water can be completely separated.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of the synthetic fuel production apparatus of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the synthetic fuel production apparatus 1 includes an aeration tank T1, a photocatalyst apparatus S1, a stirring tank T2, reaction / separation tanks T3 and T4, a water tank T5, a precipitation tank T6, an oil storage tank T7, and a filter F1, which are connected by pipes to form a structure.

[0017] That is, the synthetic fuel production apparatus 1 includes an aeration tank T1 for mixing air into water to dissolve oxygen and carbon dioxide, a photocatalyst apparatus S1 for irradiating the water sent from the aeration tank T1 by a pump P1 with sunlight or UV to bring the water into contact with the photocatalyst to activate the water, a stirring tank T2 for storing the functional water and oil (kerosene, light oil, heavy oil, etc.) sent from the photocatalyst apparatus S1 while stirring the functional water and oil, a reaction tank T3 for continuously sucking and injecting the oil and water stored in the stirring tank T2 by a pump P2 to sufficiently stir the oil and water to cause a chemical reaction, a separation tank T4 for automatically separating the oil and water sent from the reaction tank T3, a water tank T5 for storing the water separated in the separation tank T4, a precipitation tank T6 for sending out and precipitating the oil separated in the separation tank T4, an oil storage tank T7 for storing the oil discharged from the precipitation tank T6, and a filter F1 for further filtering the oil in the oil storage tank T7.

[0018] The aeration tank 1 is for mixing air into water to dissolve oxygen (O) and carbon dioxide (CO2), and is a tank with an open upper part for mixing air. Tap water is used for the water, but any of well water, groundwater, rivers, lakes, marsh water, or seawater may be used.

[0019] The photocatalytic device S1 irradiates water sent from the aeration tank T1 by the pump P1 with sunlight or ultraviolet rays (UV) to bring the water into contact with the photocatalyst contained therein, thereby activating the water. As the photocatalyst, for example, as described in Japanese Patent No. 5082034, the porous composite functional photocatalyst developed by the present inventors can be used. That is, as the composite functional photocatalyst, a composite functional photocatalyst dispersion liquid composed of titanium oxide, titanium oxide sol, oxidation catalyst, ceramic powder and aqueous binder is impregnated into an inorganic porous body such as zeolite and supported on the inorganic porous body, and these are filled into a transparent column for use. While passing the water through the transparent column, sunlight or ultraviolet rays (UV) are irradiated onto the porous composite functional photocatalyst in the column, thereby activating the water to obtain functional water.

[0020] The stirring tank T2 stores oil (kerosene, light oil, heavy oil, etc.) and mixes and stirs it with the functional water sent from the photocatalytic device S1. It is desirable to store the oil in the stirring tank T2 in advance and send the functional water thereto. Here, the stirring action is performed by the water supply pressure of the functional water or the like and the pump pressure of the stirring pump P2 described later. In addition to this, stirring blades may be provided in the stirring tank T2 and the mixed liquid may be stirred by rotating and driving them.

[0021] Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of the reaction / separation tanks T3 and T4, Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of the reaction tank T3 among the reaction / separation tanks T3 and T4, and Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view of the separation tank T4 among the reaction / separation tanks T3 and T4. As shown in the figure, the reaction / separation tanks T3 and T4 include an inner reaction tank T3 and an outer separation tank T4. The inner reaction tank T3 stirs and reacts the mixed liquid of water and oil sent in by the stirring pump P2 from the stirring tank T2, and has a plurality of separation pipes 3 that discharge the reacted mixed liquid from the lower part of the reaction tank T3 to the separation tank T4 side.

[0022] This separation pipe 3 is an L-shaped pipe that protrudes horizontally from the lower part of the reaction tank T3, extends upward partway, and has a discharge outlet 3c at its tip. This L-shaped separation pipe 3 includes an outer pipe 3a and an inner pipe 3b that fits inside the outer pipe 3a. Both pipes 3a and 3b are movable relative to each other in the pipe length direction, so that the height of the discharge outlet 3c to the separation tank T4 can be adjusted. In this embodiment, the outer pipe 3a is formed in an L shape, and its proximal end side is connected to the lower part of the reaction tank T3. A straight inner pipe 3b is connected to the upper end opening so as to be vertically movable. Note that it may also be configured such that the inner pipe 3b is formed in an L shape and connected to the lower part of the reaction tank T3, and a straight outer pipe 3a is arranged at the upper end of the inner pipe 3b. By adjusting the height of the outlet 3c of the separation pipe by such a double pipe structure of the outer pipe 3a and the inner pipe 3b, the reaction time of the mixed liquid in the reaction tank T3 can be adjusted. The height adjustment of the separation pipe 3 can be performed manually by moving both pipes 3a and 3b up and down (for example, screwing both pipes 3a and 3b together and adjusting the length according to the degree of fitting), or by using a combination of a rack and pinion or the like and a motor, or further by using a physical driving means such as a fluid pressure cylinder.

[0023] The outer separation tank T4 separates the mixed liquid discharged from the inner reaction tank T3 into two types of liquids (oil and water) due to the difference in specific gravity, and has an oil discharge port 4a at the upper part of the separation tank T4 and a water discharge port 4b at the lower part of the separation tank. The water discharge port 4b is arranged at the bottom of the separation tank T4 and can be opened and closed by a drain valve 4c.

[0024] The reaction and separation tanks T3 and T4 include a water tank T5 that stores and separates the water discharged from the lower part of the outer separation tank T4 further outside the outer separation tank T4. As a result, the reaction process, separation process, oil discharge process, and water discharge process can be continuously performed by a single tank T3, T4, and T5.

[0025] The sedimentation tank T6 is partitioned into a plurality of sedimentation chambers 6b by a plurality of partition walls 6a with a communication flow path formed at one end side so that the oil flowing through the tank meanders vertically. A plurality of drain holes 6c are formed at the bottom of the sedimentation tank T6 corresponding to the sedimentation chambers 6b.

[0026] The oil storage tank T7 temporarily stores the oil sent from the sedimentation tank T6, and here, oil from which impurities have been substantially removed and refined can be obtained. Then, the oil further refined through the filter F1 can be supplied from this oil storage tank T7.

[0027] An example of the manufacturing process of the synthetic fuel manufacturing apparatus 1 with the above configuration is shown. Water (for example, tap water) is put into the aeration tank T1 at 15 liters per minute. Air is introduced into the water by aeration (1 m 3 / min) to dissolve oxygen and carbon dioxide in the water. The water from this aeration tank T1 is sent to the photocatalyst device S1 by the pump P1 at 15 liters per minute. At this time, oxygen is dissolved in the water at 25 milliliters per minute to 35 milliliters per minute.

[0028] On the other hand, oil (kerosene, light oil, A heavy oil) is sent to the stirring tank T2 for oil supply (25 liters per minute to 35 liters per minute), and 60 liters are stored in the stirring tank T2. Functional water at 10 liters per minute to 20 liters per minute is introduced from the photocatalyst device S1 into the stirring tank T2 for storing the oil. This operation is performed continuously.

[0029] The oil and water stored in the stirring tank T2 are continuously sucked by the pump P2 and introduced into the reaction tank T3. The oil and water introduced into the reaction tank T3 are sufficiently stirred to cause a chemical reaction. All the reacted oil and water are sent to the separation tank T4. In the separation tank T4, the oil and water are automatically separated due to the specific gravity difference, and the oil separated on the upper side is sent to the sedimentation tank T6, and the water separated on the lower side is sent to the water tank T5.

[0030] The oil sent to the sedimentation tank T6 is further precisely separated from water while repeating meandering in the vertical direction, and only the oil is sent to the oil storage tank T7. The oil in the oil storage tank T7 is further filtered by the fine filter F1 to complete the purification. On the other hand, the water in the water tank T5 is filtered and regenerated. According to the experiments of the present inventors, by simply mixing and stirring the catalyst water with the oil, sulfur oxides (SOx) can be reduced to 0 ppm, and the NOx of the oil can be reduced from 1200 to 1400 ppm to 400 ppm.

[0031] Thus, by using the reaction-separation tanks T3 and T4 having the inner reaction tank T3 and the outer separation tank T4, in the inner reaction tank T3, a reaction step of reacting a mixed liquid sent out by mixing two liquids of water and oil by the stirring pump P2 while stirring, discharging the mixed liquid chemically reacted in the reaction step to the outer separation tank T4, and separating the mixed liquid discharged from the reaction tank T3 into two types of liquids due to the difference in specific gravity, an oil discharging step of discharging the oil separated in the separation step from the upper part of the separation tank T4, and a water discharging step of discharging the water separated in the separation step from the lower part of the separation tank T4 can be continuously carried out by one reaction-separation tank T3 and T4.

[0032] At this time, a separation pipe 3 is provided for taking out the mixed liquid reacted in the reaction step from the lower part of the reaction tank T3 and sending it to the upper part of the separation tank T4. However, the height of the take-out outlet 3c of this separation pipe 3 affects the reaction step of the two liquids of water and oil in the reaction tank T3. That is, if the height of the outlet 3c of the separation pipe 3 is too low, the mixed liquid will be discharged from the reaction tank T3 before the reaction in the reaction tank T3 is completed, and the target yield cannot be obtained. Conversely, if the height of the outlet of the separation pipe 3 is too high, the mixed liquid in the reaction tank T3 will cause a reverse reaction as a secondary reaction, and the target yield cannot be obtained. Therefore, the height of the outlet 3c of the separation pipe 3 is an important factor. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the height of the outlet 3c of the separation pipe 3 is adjusted according to the amount of the mixed liquid in the reaction tank T3 and the reaction time, an appropriate reaction time is ensured for the mixed liquid, and the target yield is ensured.

[0033] FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of the synthetic fuel production apparatus according to the second embodiment. This synthetic fuel production apparatus 1 is different from the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 in the following points. That is, a cooling tower K1 is provided between the aeration tank T1 and the photocatalyst device S1, the oil from the reaction-separation tanks T3 and T4 is sent to the oil storage tank T7 by the pump P5 without providing a water tank T5 and a sedimentation tank T6 outside the reaction-separation tanks T3 and T4, and the water from the separation tank T4 is configured to be returned to the aeration tank T1 by the pump P6.

[0034] The reaction tank T3 is provided with a separation pipe 3 at its lower part, and a discharge valve 3d is provided at the bottom of the tank so as to be openable and closable. When the discharge valve 3d is opened, the mixed liquid from the reaction tank T3 is discharged into the separation tank T4. Further, a drain valve 4c is provided at the bottom of the separation tank T4 so as to be openable and closable, and when the drain valve is opened, water is returned to the aeration tank T1 via the pump P6 and the filter F2. Since the other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment, the description here is omitted.

[0035] An example of the manufacturing process of the synthetic fuel manufacturing apparatus 1 having the above configuration is shown. Store 100 liters of tap water in the aeration tank T1 (20 liters / min). The tap water stored in the aeration tank T1 is sent by the pump P1 to the cooling tower K1 for 100 liters at 20 liters / min, and cooled so as to lower the temperature of the water by, for example, 5 degrees.

[0036] The water cooled by the cooling tower K1 is passed through the photocatalyst device S1 by the pump P3 (20 liters / min). The passed water (activated water, catalyst water) is introduced into the stirring tank T2 (for 50 liters).

[0037] Before introducing the activated water and the catalyst water from the photocatalyst device K2 into the stirring tank T2, an appropriate amount of oil is stored in advance at a certain amount (30 liters) at 30 liters / min by the pump P4. When the water sent from the photocatalyst device K2 enters the stirring tank T2, it is simultaneously sucked in by the plunger pump P3 (50 liters / min) and sent to the reaction / separation tanks T3 and T4. At this time, they are mixed and stirred at a mixing ratio of water:oil = 2:3.

[0038] The mixed liquid of water and oil sent into the reaction / separation tanks T3 and T4 is introduced into the inner reaction tank (15 liters). At this time, the sent mixed liquid rises from the bottom of the tank to the extraction outlet 3c near the oil-water surface by the separation pipe 3 and is discharged into the separation tank T4.

[0039] The discharged mixed liquid separates into water and oil in the separation tank T4. The water sinks to the bottom, and the oil floats on the oil-water surface. The oil floating on the upper part of the tank is taken out from the discharge port 4a and returned to the oil storage tank T7 through the pump P5 and the filter F1. The water that has fallen in the separation tank T4 is taken out from the drain port 4c at the bottom and returned to the aeration tank T1 through the filter F2. Through repeated execution of this series of operations, synthetic fuel with an increased volume is produced.

[0040] As is clear from the above description, in the above embodiment, it is a method for producing synthetic fuel in which water and oil with different specific gravities are mixed and reacted, and then the step of separating these two types of liquids is continuously performed. Using reaction / separation tanks T3 and T4 having an inner reaction tank and an outer separation tank, in the inner reaction tank T3, a reaction step of reacting the mixed liquid sent in by mixing two liquids of water and oil by a stirring pump while stirring, and the mixed liquid reacted in the reaction step is taken out from the lower part of the reaction tank T3 and discharged to the outer separation tank T4 through the separation pipe 3 that sends it to the upper part of the separation tank. A separation step of separating the discharged mixed liquid into two types based on the difference in specific gravity, an oil discharge step of discharging the oil separated in the separation step from the upper part of the separation tank, and a water discharge step of discharging the water separated in the separation step from the lower part of the separation tank are included. A series of operations of the reaction step, separation step, oil discharge step, and water discharge step are continuously performed by one reaction / separation tank.

[0041] Therefore, not only is the installation space of the synthetic fuel production device reduced, but also a series of synthetic fuel can be significantly increased in volume. In addition, manufacturing new fuel oil using carbon dioxide in the air as a raw material leads to decarbonization and can achieve carbon-free.

Explanation of Signs

[0042] 1 Synthetic fuel production device 3 Separation pipe 3a Outer pipe 3b Inner pipe 3c Outlet T1 Aeration tank T2 Stirring tank T3 Reaction tank T4 Separation Tank T5 Water Tank T6 Settling Tank T7 Oil Storage Tank S1 Photocatalyst Device F1 Filter P1 - P6 Pumps

Claims

1. A synthetic fuel manufacturing apparatus for continuously performing a process of mixing and reacting water and oil having different specific gravities and then separating the two types of liquids, comprising a reaction / separation tank having at least an inner reaction tank and an outer separation tank, wherein the inner reaction tank stirs and reacts a mixed liquid fed by mixing two liquids of water and oil by a stirring pump, and is provided with a separation pipe for taking out the reacted mixed liquid from the lower part of the reaction tank and sending it to the upper part of the outer separation tank, the outer separation tank separates the mixed liquid discharged from the inner reaction tank into oil and water due to the difference in specific gravity, and is provided with an oil discharge port at the upper part of the separation tank and a water discharge port at the lower part of the separation tank, the separation pipe includes an outer pipe and an inner pipe fitted inside the outer pipe, and the two pipes are movable in the pipe length direction with respect to each other, and the outlet height to the separation tank is adjustable. A synthetic fuel manufacturing apparatus characterized by this.

2. The synthetic fuel manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reaction / separation tank further includes a water tank outside the outer separation tank, and the water tank stores and separates the water discharged from the lower part of the separation tank.

3. A method for manufacturing synthetic fuel, which continuously performs a process of mixing and reacting water and oil having different specific gravities and then separating the two types of liquids. Using a reaction / separation tank having an inner reaction tank and an outer separation tank, in the inner reaction tank, a reaction step of stirring and reacting a mixed liquid fed by mixing two liquids of water and oil by a stirring pump, and a separation step of separating the mixed liquid reacted in the reaction step into oil and water due to the difference in specific gravity by a separation pipe that takes out the mixed liquid from the lower part of the reaction tank and sends it to the upper part of the separation tank and discharges it to the outer separation tank, an oil discharge step of discharging the fuel oil separated in the separation step from the upper part of the separation tank, and a water discharge step of discharging the water separated in the separation step from the lower part of the separation tank. The reaction step, separation step, oil discharge step, and water discharge step are continuously performed in one reaction / separation tank, and the separation pipe includes an outer pipe and an inner pipe fitted inside the outer pipe. By making the two pipes movable in the pipe length direction with respect to each other, the outlet height of the separation pipe is adjusted according to the amount of the mixed liquid in the reaction tank and the reaction time. A method for manufacturing synthetic fuel characterized by this.

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