Crushing equipment

Abstract

To reduce a water content rate of biomass.SOLUTION: A crushing apparatus 120 includes: a reactor 210 for compressing biomass to a pressure more than atmospheric pressure; a cyclone 230 for separating a solid-gas mixture including biomass, which is discharged from the reactor 210, into solid matters and gases; and a gas supply part 240 for supplying a dry gas D to the cyclone 230.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a comminution device. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, there has been a demand to reduce CO2 (carbon dioxide) emissions in order to prevent global warming. For this reason, technologies to burn biomass in addition to coal or instead of coal in boilers are being considered. In order to burn biomass in a boiler, the biomass needs to be pulverized.

[0003] As a technology for pulverizing biomass, a technology has been developed in which biomass and steam are introduced into a sealed container, pressurized, and then rapidly depressurized to steam explode the biomass (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2016-507634 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the steam explosion technology, there is a demand for the development of a technology that can reduce the moisture content of biomass after explosion.

[0006] In view of these problems, the present disclosure aims to provide a crushing device that can reduce the moisture content of biomass. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problem, a pulverization device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes: The biomass extractor includes a sealed container that contains biomass and a heating unit that heats the sealed container from the outside.A reactor that pressurizes biomass to a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure, a cyclone that separates a solid-gas mixture containing biomass discharged from the reactor into solid and gas, and a gas supply unit that supplies a dry gas to the cyclone. a drying section that dries the biomass discharged from the cyclone; Equipped with The heating unit surrounds the outside of the sealed container and has a pipe through which a heated gas flows, and the drying unit dries the biomass by the heated gas discharged from the pipe. do. In order to solve the above problems, another pulverization device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a reactor that pressurizes biomass to a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure, a cyclone that separates a solid-gas mixture containing biomass discharged from the reactor into solid and gas, a gas supply unit that supplies dry gas to the cyclone, a classifier that classifies the biomass discharged from the cyclone, a return device that returns biomass classified by the classifier and having a first particle size or larger to the reactor, and a drying hopper that stores biomass classified by the classifier and having a particle size smaller than the first particle size.

[0008] The gas supply unit may also supply dry gas to an upper portion of the cyclone.

[0009] The gas supply unit may also supply the drying gas along the flow of the biomass in the cyclone.

[0010] The pulverizer may further include a biomass receiving port formed in an upper portion of the cyclone, and the gas supply unit may supply the dry gas through the biomass receiving port.

[0011] The gas supply unit may supply dry gas at a temperature higher than room temperature. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to reduce the moisture content of biomass. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the grinding system according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the crushing device according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the moisture content of biomass in Examples and Comparative Examples. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dimensions, materials, specific numerical values, etc. shown in the embodiments are merely examples for ease of understanding and do not limit the present disclosure unless otherwise specified. In this specification and drawings, elements having substantially the same functions and configurations are designated by the same reference numerals to avoid redundant explanation, and elements not directly related to the present disclosure are not shown.

[0015] [Crushing System 100] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a pulverization system 100 according to this embodiment. In FIG. 1, solid arrows indicate the flow of biomass. In FIG. 1, dashed arrows indicate the flow of dry gas. In FIG. 1, dashed arrows indicate the flow of fluids other than biomass and dry gas.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, the pulverization system 100 includes a feeder 110, a pulverizer 120, a first conveying device 130, a dryer 140, a classifier 150, a second conveying device 160, and a post-drying hopper 170.

[0017] The comminution system 100 comminuts the biomass.

[0018] The biomass is one or more of woody biomass, herbaceous biomass, and waste biomass. Woody biomass includes, for example, wood chips, sawdust, and bark. Herbaceous biomass includes, for example, wheat straw and rice straw. Waste biomass includes, for example, empty fruit bunches (EFBs), palm kernel shells (PKS), and grain and fruit pomace that are generated as a result of producing palm oil from palm trees.

[0019] The feeder 110 feeds biomass to the grinder 120. The feeder 110 includes an receiving conveyor 112, a receiving hopper 114, and a weigh feeder .

[0020] The receiving conveyor 112 transports the biomass to the receiving hopper 114. The receiving hopper 114 temporarily stores the biomass. The receiving hopper 114 is provided with a screw conveyor 114a. The screw conveyor 114a transports the biomass stored in the receiving hopper 114 to a weigh feeder 116. The weigh feeder 116 supplies a predetermined amount of biomass to the crushing device 120.

[0021] The pulverizer 120 steam explodes (steam-explodes) the biomass. The specific configuration of the pulverizer 120 will be described in detail later.

[0022] The first conveying device 130 conveys the biomass pulverized by the pulverizing device 120 to the dryer 140. The first conveying device 130 is configured by, for example, a conveyor.

[0023] The dryer 140 dries the pulverized biomass. In this embodiment, the dryer 140 is a heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the biomass and the heated gas. As will be described in detail later, the heated gas that has passed through the pulverizer 120 is introduced into the dryer 140.

[0024] The classifier 150 classifies the dried biomass. For example, the classifier 150 classifies the biomass into biomass with a particle size of 2 mm or more and biomass with a particle size of less than 2 mm. The biomass with a particle size of 2 mm or more is returned to the receiving conveyor 112. The biomass with a particle size of less than 2 mm is transported by the second transport device 160 to the hopper 170 after drying.

[0025] The second transport device 160 is configured, for example, by a conveyor. The post-drying hopper 170 temporarily stores dried biomass with a particle size of less than 2 mm. The biomass stored in the post-drying hopper 170 is transported to downstream biomass processing equipment via a weighing feeder 172 and a slat valve 174.

[0026] The biomass processing facility is, for example, a boiler such as a pulverized coal-fired boiler, or a pellet manufacturing facility.

[0027] [Crusher 120] Next, the pulverizer 120 according to this embodiment will be described. Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating the pulverizer 120 according to this embodiment. In Fig. 2, solid arrows indicate the flow of biomass. In Fig. 2, dashed arrows indicate the flow of dry gas D. In Fig. 2, dashed arrows indicate the flow of fluids other than biomass and dry gas D.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 2, the pulverizing device 120 includes a reactor 210 , a communicating pipe 220 , a cyclone 230 , a gas supply section 240 , and a condenser section 250 .

[0029] The reactor 210 pressurizes the biomass above atmospheric pressure and includes an enclosed vessel 212, a heating section 214, and an agitation section 216.

[0030] The sealed container 212 includes a container body 212a, a lid 212b, and an on-off valve 212c. The container body 212a contains the biomass supplied by the supply device 110. The container body 212a is cylindrical. In this embodiment, the upper part of the container body 212a is cylindrical with its central axis in the vertical direction, and the lower part is conical with its central axis in the vertical direction. The central axis of the upper part (cylindrical shape) of the container body 212a coincides with the central axis of the lower part (conical shape) of the container body 212a. The top and bottom surfaces of the container body 212a are open. The biomass is supplied into the container body 212a through an upper opening formed on the top surface of the container body 212a.

[0031] The lid 212b is provided so as to be able to open and close an upper opening formed on the top surface of the container body 212a, and the on-off valve 212c is provided so as to be able to open and close a lower opening formed on the bottom surface of the container body 212a.

[0032] The upper opening of the container body 212a is closed by the lid 212b, and the lower opening of the container body 212a is closed by the on-off valve 212c, thereby sealing the inside of the sealed container 212.

[0033] The heating unit 214 heats the sealed container 212 from the outside. In this embodiment, the heating unit 214 heats the outer wall of the container body 212a. The heating unit 214 is configured with, for example, a trace heater. The heating unit 214 includes an enclosing unit 214a, a first discharge pipe 214b, a second discharge pipe 214c, and an aspirator 214d.

[0034] The surrounding portion 214a is a pipe that spirally surrounds the outside of the sealed container 212. A supply source of the heated gas H is connected to one end of the surrounding portion 214a. The heated gas H is, for example, water vapor or combustion exhaust gas. A first exhaust pipe 214b is connected to the other end of the surrounding portion 214a. In this embodiment, the supply source of the heated gas H is connected to the upper end of the surrounding portion 214a. Furthermore, the first exhaust pipe 214b is connected to the lower end of the surrounding portion 214a.

[0035] The first exhaust pipe 214b connects the surrounding portion 214a and the dryer 140. The second exhaust pipe 214c connects the dryer 140 and the suction side of the aspirator 214d. The aspirator 214d aspirates the heated gas H. The aspirator 214d is, for example, a fan, a compressor, or a pump.

[0036] Therefore, the heated gas H passes through the surrounding portion 214a, the first exhaust pipe 214b, and the dryer 140, and then passes through the second exhaust pipe 214c and is sucked into the aspirator 214d.

[0037] When the sealed container 212 is heated by the heating unit 214, the water contained in the biomass inside the sealed container 212 turns into steam. As a result, the inside of the sealed container 212 becomes pressurized (for example, 1.5 MPa or more and 2.8 MPa or less). The temperature inside the sealed container 212 becomes 200°C or more and 220°C or less. For example, the pressure inside the sealed container 212 becomes 220°C and 2.3 MPa.

[0038] The agitator 216 agitates the inside of the sealed container 212. In this embodiment, the agitator 216 includes a rotating shaft 216a, an agitator blade 216b, and a motor 216c. The rotating shaft 216a penetrates the lid 212b. The agitator blade 216b is provided on one end side of the rotating shaft 216a. The agitator blade 216b is provided so as to be located inside the sealed container 212 when the lid 212b is closed. The motor 216c rotates the agitator blade 216b via the rotating shaft 216a. The motor 216c is provided so as to be located outside the sealed container 212 when the lid 212b is closed. The agitator 216 can efficiently distribute the heat supplied by the heating unit 214 throughout the biomass inside the sealed container 212.

[0039] The communication pipe 220 is a pipe that connects the on-off valve 212c and the cyclone 230.

[0040] The cyclone 230 separates the solid-gas mixture containing biomass discharged from the reactor 210. The cyclone 230 includes a main body 232 and an exhaust pipe 234.

[0041] The main body 232 is a cylindrical container. The top and bottom surfaces of the main body 232 are sealed. In this embodiment, the main body 232 has a cylindrical shape. A biomass receiving port 232a is formed in the upper part of the side wall of the main body 232. The communicating pipe 220 is connected to the biomass receiving port 232a provided in the main body 232. A biomass discharge port 232b is formed in the bottom surface of the main body 232. The main body 232 is at a lower pressure (approximately atmospheric pressure) than the sealed container 212 in a pressurized state. The main body 232 is also at a lower temperature (for example, room temperature (25°C)) than the sealed container 212 in a pressurized state.

[0042] The exhaust pipe 234 is a pipe that penetrates the upper surface of the main body 232. An upper end 234a of the exhaust pipe 234 is connected to a condenser section 250, which will be described later. A lower end of the exhaust pipe 234 is located below the biomass receiving port 232a.

[0043] The screw conveyor 236 is provided in the lower part of the main body 232. The screw conveyor 236 transports the biomass that has fallen inside the cyclone 230 to the biomass discharge outlet 232b and collects it.

[0044] When steam explosion of biomass is performed, first, the lower opening of the container body 212a is closed by the on-off valve 212c. Next, biomass is supplied into the sealed container 212 (container body 212a) by the supply device 110, and then the upper opening of the container body 212a is closed by the lid 212b. Then, the sealed container 212 is heated by the heating unit 214, so that the water contained in the biomass in the sealed container 212 turns into steam, and the inside of the sealed container 212 becomes pressurized.

[0045] Thereafter, the lower opening of the container body 212a is opened by the on-off valve 212c. Then, the biomass in the sealed container 212 is introduced into the cyclone 230 and depressurized, and the water vapor contained in the biomass explodes due to adiabatic expansion. This causes the biomass to explode. Then, in the cyclone 230, a solid-gas mixture containing the exploded (pulverized) biomass and water vapor is separated into solid and gas.

[0046] As described above, the cyclone 230 (main body 232) is at a lower temperature than the pressurized sealed container 212. Therefore, the water vapor is rapidly cooled and condensed in the cyclone 230, becoming mist-like. This mist-like water then adheres to the pulverized biomass, causing the moisture content of the biomass to increase to 60% by mass (wt%) or more.

[0047] Therefore, the pulverization device 120 according to this embodiment includes a gas supply unit 240. The gas supply unit 240 supplies dry gas D through the biomass receiving port 232a. The dew point of the dry gas D is lower than the temperature of the cyclone 230 (main body 232) (for example, a dew point of -10°C or lower). The dry gas D is, for example, dry air or combustion exhaust gas. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the gas supply unit 240 supplies dry gas D at a temperature higher than the temperature inside the cyclone 230 (main body 232). For example, the gas supply unit 240 supplies dry gas D at a temperature higher than room temperature.

[0048] The gas supply unit 240 includes a supply pipe 242 and a sender 244. The supply pipe 242 connects a supply source of the dry gas D to the communicating pipe 220. The sender 244 is provided in the supply pipe 242. The sender 244 is, for example, a fan or a compressor. The suction side of the sender 244 is connected to the supply source of the dry gas D via the supply pipe 242. The discharge side of the sender 244 is connected to the biomass receiving port 232a via the supply pipe 242 and the communicating pipe 220. The discharge pressure of the sender 244 is lower than the pressure of the pressurized sealed container 212. Therefore, the dry gas D is supplied along the flow of the biomass in the cyclone 230.

[0049] This increases the linear velocity of the solid-gas mixture of biomass and gas (water vapor, air, and dry gas D) in the cyclone 230 compared to when dry gas D is not supplied. This improves the solid-gas separation efficiency in the cyclone 230. In other words, the efficiency of separating water vapor from the pulverized biomass increases. This makes it possible to reduce the moisture content of the pulverized biomass.

[0050] Thus, the water vapor separated in the cyclone 230 is exhausted to the condenser 250 through the exhaust pipe 234 together with the air and the dry gas D. Meanwhile, the biomass separated in the cyclone 230 is deposited in the lower part of the main body 232. The deposited biomass is guided by the screw conveyor 236 to the first transport device 130 through the biomass discharge port 232b.

[0051] The condenser 250 cools the mixture of water vapor, air, and dry gas D exhausted through the exhaust pipe 234. In this embodiment, the condenser 250 is a heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the mixture and a refrigerant. The refrigerant is, for example, industrial water. The condensed liquid (water) condensed by the condenser 250 is drained. Furthermore, the gas from which the condensed liquid has been removed is released into the atmosphere.

[0052] As described above, the pulverizer 120 according to this embodiment is equipped with the gas supply unit 240, and therefore is able to reduce the moisture content of biomass. That is, the pulverizer 120 can efficiently dry biomass with a simple configuration in which the drying gas D is simply supplied to the cyclone 230. This makes it possible to reduce the load on the dryer 140 provided downstream of the pulverizer 120. This allows the energy consumption of the dryer 140 to be reduced.

[0053] As described above, the gas supply unit 240 supplies the dry gas D at a temperature higher than room temperature. This makes it possible to prevent condensation of water vapor by the dry gas D. Therefore, it becomes possible to promote drying of the biomass in the cyclone 230.

[0054] Furthermore, the gas supply unit 240 supplies the dry gas D through the biomass receiving port 232a, i.e., the gas supply unit 240 supplies the dry gas D to the upper part of the cyclone 230. This makes it possible to expand the region in the cyclone 230 where the linear velocity of the solid-gas mixture increases, compared to when the dry gas D is supplied to the middle or lower part of the cyclone 230. In other words, it is possible to extend the time during which the linear velocity of the solid-gas mixture increases in the cyclone 230. Therefore, it is possible to improve the solid-gas separation efficiency in the cyclone 230.

[0055] As described above, the gas supply unit 240 supplies the dry gas D through the biomass receiving port 232a. This eliminates the need to form a dedicated opening in the main body 232 for supplying the dry gas D.

[0056] [Example] The moisture content of the biomass exploded using the crushing device 120 was measured. The volume of the cyclone 230 (main body 232) was approximately 42 L. The moisture content of the biomass was measured when dry gas D was supplied (Example) and when dry gas D was not supplied (Comparative Example). In the Example, the temperature of dry gas D was 6.1°C. The flow rate of dry gas D was 3000 L / min.

[0057] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the moisture content of biomass in Examples and Comparative Examples. In Fig. 3, white indicates the moisture content of biomass before explosion. In Fig. 3, black indicates the moisture content of biomass after explosion.

[0058] As shown in Figure 3, in the comparative example, the moisture content of the biomass before explosion was 70.6% by mass [wt%]. Also, in the comparative example, the moisture content of the biomass after explosion was 71.2% by mass. From this result, it was found that in the comparative example, the moisture content of the biomass after explosion was higher than before explosion.

[0059] On the other hand, in the example, the moisture content of the biomass before explosion was 70.1% by mass [wt%]. Also, in the example, the moisture content of the biomass after explosion was 59.9% by mass. From these results, it was confirmed that in the example, the moisture content of the biomass after explosion was reduced by about 10% by mass compared to before explosion.

[0060] Although the embodiments have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, it goes without saying that the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments. It is clear that a person skilled in the art can conceive of various modifications or alterations within the scope of the claims, and it is understood that these also naturally fall within the technical scope of the present disclosure.

[0061] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the gas supply unit 240 supplies the dry gas D from the biomass receiving port 232a. However, it is sufficient that the gas supply unit 240 can supply the dry gas D along the flow of the biomass inside the cyclone 230. In other words, the gas supply unit 240 can supply the dry gas D to an upper or middle portion of the side wall of the cyclone 230. For example, an opening separate from the biomass receiving port 232a may be formed in an upper or middle portion of the side wall of the main body 232, and the gas supply unit 240 may supply the dry gas D from this opening.

[0062] Furthermore, the gas supply unit 240 is not limited to a supply position as long as it can supply the dry gas D into the cyclone 230 from an opening other than the exhaust pipe 234. For example, the gas supply unit 240 may supply the dry gas D to a lower portion of the cyclone 230. Furthermore, the gas supply unit 240 may supply the dry gas D into the cyclone 230 from a plurality of locations.

[0063] In the above embodiment, the gas supply unit 240 supplies the dry gas D at a temperature higher than room temperature. However, the temperature of the gas supply unit 240 is not limited as long as the gas supply unit 240 can supply the dry gas D to the cyclone 230. In any case, by the gas supply unit 240 supplying the dry gas D to the cyclone 230, it becomes possible to separate water vapor from the biomass.

[0064] In the above embodiment, the heating unit 214 is a trace heater. However, the configuration of the heating unit 214 is not limited as long as it can heat the sealed container 212 from the outside. For example, the heating unit 214 may be an electric heater.

[0065] In the above embodiment, the case where agitator 216 includes rotating shaft 216a, agitator blade 216b, and motor 216c has been exemplified. However, agitator 216 is not limited to any particular configuration as long as it can agitate the contents inside sealed container 212. Agitator 216 may be, for example, a mechanism that reciprocates sealed container 212 itself.

[0066] In the above embodiment, the crushing device 120 is provided with the agitating unit 216. However, the agitating unit 216 is not an essential component.

[0067] In the above embodiment, the pulverization system 100 is provided with the dryer 140. However, depending on the moisture content of the biomass required in the downstream biomass processing facility, the dryer 140 may be omitted.

[0068] This disclosure can contribute, for example, to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Goal 7: "Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy" and Goal 13: "Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts." [Explanation of symbols]

[0069] 120 Crushing Equipment 210 Reactor 230 Cyclone 232a Biomass Receiving Entrance 240 Gas Supply Unit

Claims

1. A reactor having a sealed container for accommodating biomass and a heating unit for externally heating the sealed container, and for pressurizing the biomass to a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure; a cyclone for separating solid and gas from the solid-gas mixture containing the biomass discharged from the reactor; a gas supply unit that supplies a dry gas to the cyclone; a drying section that dries the biomass discharged from the cyclone; Equipped with the heating unit surrounds the outside of the sealed container and has a pipe through which a heating gas flows, The drying section is a pulverization device that dries the biomass by the heated gas discharged from the piping.

2. a reactor for pressurizing the biomass to above atmospheric pressure; a cyclone for separating solid and gas from the solid-gas mixture containing the biomass discharged from the reactor; a gas supply unit that supplies a dry gas to the cyclone; a classifier that classifies the biomass discharged from the cyclone; A return device that returns the biomass having a first particle size or larger classified by the classifier to the reactor; a drying hopper that stores the biomass classified by the classifier to have a particle size smaller than the first particle size.

3. The pulverization device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the gas supply unit supplies the dry gas to an upper portion of the cyclone.

4. The pulverization device according to claim 1 , wherein the gas supply unit supplies the dry gas along a flow of the biomass in the cyclone.

5. a biomass receiving port formed in an upper portion of the cyclone; The pulverization device according to claim 1 , wherein the gas supply unit supplies the dry gas through the biomass receiving port.

6. The pulverization device according to claim 1 , wherein the gas supply unit supplies the dry gas at a temperature higher than room temperature.

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