Pyrolysis reactor and recovery apparatus for carbon fibers and glass fibers containing the same

Abstract

To provide a thermal decomposition reactor and a recovery system of carbon fiber and glass fiber capable of recovering recycle fiber in a short time by maximizing heat transfer efficiency.SOLUTION: The present inventions are a thermal decomposition reactor and a recovery system of carbon fiber and glass fiber including the same. The thermal decomposition reactor includes an inner casing, a shaft, at least one moving module, and at least one mixing module. The moving module moves waste composite material in the inner casing, and the mixing module mixes the waste composite material with hot wind in the inner casing. The present invention effectively transmits heat to the waste composite material with the mixing module so as to shorten the time necessary in a thermal decomposition process.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a pyrolysis reactor and a recovery device for carbon fiber and glass fiber including the same.

Background Art

[0002] Wind power generation is a power generation method that rotates blades with the kinetic energy of wind to convert it into mechanical energy and then converts the mechanical energy into electrical energy. Its utilization is increasing as an alternative to existing power generation methods that mainly use fossil fuels.

[0003] In a wind turbine, a plurality of blades are attached to the rotating shaft of the generator. In order to produce more electrical energy, the blades are made long and wide. As the size of the blade increases, the weight of the blade increases. However, the blades must be made as light as possible for energy efficiency. Also, since the blades continuously collide with the wind, the strength of the blades must be improved and durability must be ensured. To solve such problems, carbon fiber reinforced plastic or glass fiber reinforced plastic is used as the material of the blades. Composite materials containing carbon fiber and glass fiber are light but have high strength, and are used in various fields such as the automotive field and the aviation field in addition to blades.

[0004] However, after the blades of a wind turbine are damaged or their lifespan is exhausted, the treatment of waste blades becomes a problem. Generally, composite materials such as carbon fiber reinforced plastic or glass fiber reinforced plastic are difficult to recycle and are mostly landfilled. However, it is impossible to continuously landfill the increasing composite material waste, and the need for treatment methods other than landfill or recyclable methods has been continuously emerging.

[0005] Therefore, there is a need to develop reactors and recovery equipment that can effectively recover carbon fibers or glass fibers from used waste blades. In addition, there is a need to develop equipment and methods that can recover carbon fibers and glass fibers from waste composite materials discharged not only from waste blades but also from the automotive and aerospace industries. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Korean Registered Patent No. 10-1810284 (Title: Method for separating carbon fibers from waste carbon fiber reinforced plastics) [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] The present invention aims to provide a pyrolysis reactor and a carbon fiber and glass fiber recovery apparatus that can maximize heat transfer efficiency and recover recycled fibers in a short time. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A pyrolysis reactor according to one embodiment of the present invention includes an internal casing, a shaft, at least one moving module, and at least one stirring module. The internal casing is formed in a cylindrical shape. The shaft is located at the radial center of the internal casing and can extend in the longitudinal direction of the internal casing. The moving module can be fixed on the shaft. The stirring module may be fixed on the shaft and arranged alternately with the moving module.

[0009] A pyrolysis reactor according to one embodiment of the present invention may further include a heating furnace equipped with a burner and containing an internal casing.

[0010] In a pyrolysis reactor according to one embodiment of the present invention, the mobile module may comprise a plurality of horizontal support bases, one end of which extends horizontally from the axis; a plurality of vertical support bases, one end of which extends vertically from the axis; and a helical blade having a predetermined width, connected to the other end of the horizontal support bases and the other end of the vertical support bases.

[0011] In a pyrolysis reactor according to one embodiment of the present invention, the stirring module may include a plurality of stirring plates arranged at equal angular intervals along an axis. The stirring plates may include an "n" shaped horizontal plate, one end of which is fixed to the axis and extends horizontally, and a rectangular vertical plate that extends vertically on the horizontal plate.

[0012] A pyrolysis reactor according to one embodiment of the present invention may further include an input section located on one side of the heating furnace and connected to one end of the internal casing.

[0013] A pyrolysis reactor according to one embodiment of the present invention may further include a discharge section located on the other side of the heating furnace and connected to the other end of the internal casing.

[0014] A pyrolysis reactor according to one embodiment of the present invention is capable of supplying a combustion gas at 400 to 500°C into its internal casing.

[0015] In a pyrolysis reactor according to one embodiment of the present invention, the separation distance between the inner wall of the internal casing and the helical blades may be 4 to 10 mm.

[0016] In a pyrolysis reactor according to one embodiment of the present invention, the distance between adjacent helices of the helical blades may be 0.3 to 0.5 m.

[0017] In a pyrolysis reactor according to one embodiment of the present invention, the diameter of the shaft may be 0.1 to 0.3 m.

[0018] A pyrolysis reactor according to another embodiment of the present invention includes an internal casing, a shaft, a moving module, and a stirring module. The internal casing is formed in a cylindrical shape. The shaft is located at the radial center of the internal casing and may extend in the longitudinal direction of the internal casing. The stirring module may comprise a plurality of stirring plates fixed on the shaft and extending in the longitudinal direction of the shaft. The moving module may be fixed on the stirring plates and unfold in the longitudinal direction of the shaft.

[0019] In another embodiment of the present invention, the pyrolysis reactor may include an "n" shaped horizontal plate fixed at one end to an axis and extended horizontally, and a rectangular vertical plate extending vertically on the horizontal plate.

[0020] A carbon fiber and glass fiber recovery apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a waste composite material supply unit, a reaction unit for heating the waste composite material supplied from the waste composite material supply unit, a heat supply unit for supplying heat to the reaction unit, and a separation unit comprising a separation section for separating the result of the reaction unit into a first substance and a second substance, a first chamber for containing the first substance, and a second chamber for containing the second substance. The reaction unit may include at least one pyrolysis reactor. The pyrolysis reactor includes an internal casing, a shaft, at least one moving module, and at least one stirring module. The internal casing is formed in a cylindrical shape. The shaft is located at the radial center of the internal casing and may extend in the longitudinal direction of the internal casing. The moving module can be fixed on the shaft. The stirring module may be fixed on the shaft and arranged alternately with the moving module.

[0021] In a carbon fiber and glass fiber recovery apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention, the pyrolysis reactor may further include a heating furnace equipped with a burner and containing an internal casing.

[0022] In a carbon fiber and glass fiber recovery device according to an embodiment of the present invention, the moving module can include a plurality of horizontal support bases with one end extending horizontally from a shaft, a plurality of vertical support bases with one end extending vertically from the shaft, and a spiral blade connected to the other ends of the horizontal support bases and the other ends of the vertical support bases and having a predetermined width.

[0023] In a carbon fiber and glass fiber recovery device according to an embodiment of the present invention, the stirring module can include a plurality of stirring plates arranged at equal angular intervals around a shaft. The stirring plate can have an "n" shape and include a horizontal plate with one end fixed to the shaft and extending horizontally, and a rectangular vertical plate extending vertically on the horizontal plate.

[0024] The carbon fiber and glass fiber recovery device according to an embodiment of the present invention can supply combustion gas at 400 to 500 °C into the inner casing.

[0025] In a carbon fiber and glass fiber recovery device according to an embodiment of the present invention, the separation distance between the inner wall of the inner casing and the spiral blade may be 4 to 10 mm.

[0026] In a carbon fiber and glass fiber recovery device according to an embodiment of the present invention, the distance between adjacent spirals of the spiral blade may be 0.3 to 0.5 m.

[0027] In a carbon fiber and glass fiber recovery device according to an embodiment of the present invention, the diameter of the shaft may be 0.1 to 0.3 m.

Advantages of the Invention

[0028] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the heat transfer efficiency can be maximized to recover recycled fibers within a short time.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0029] [Figure 1] It is a diagram showing a pyrolysis reactor according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This figure shows a pyrolysis reactor according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This figure shows a cross-sectional view of a pyrolysis reactor according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This figure shows a mobile module in a pyrolysis reactor according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] This figure shows a stirring plate in a pyrolysis reactor according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] This figure shows a stirring module in a pyrolysis reactor according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] This figure shows a pyrolysis reactor according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] This figure shows a transfer module and a stirring module in a pyrolysis reactor according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] This figure schematically shows a carbon fiber and glass fiber recovery apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] This figure shows two pyrolysis reactors according to an embodiment of the present invention, arranged in a stacked configuration. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0030] While the present invention can have various embodiments through diverse transformations, specific embodiments will be illustrated and described in detail in the detailed description. However, it should be understood that this does not intend to limit the present invention to specific embodiments, but rather includes all transformations, equivalents, or substitutions that fall within the spirit and technical scope of the present invention.

[0031] The terms used in this invention are used solely to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the invention. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this invention, terms such as “includes” or “having” are intended to specify the existence of features, figures, stages, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, and should be understood not to preemptively exclude the possibility of the existence or addition of one or more other features, figures, stages, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0032] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. Note that, in the attached drawings, identical components are represented by the same reference numerals whenever possible. Furthermore, detailed descriptions of known functions and configurations that may obscure the gist of the present invention will be omitted. For similar reasons, some components in the attached drawings are exaggerated, omitted, or shown schematically.

[0033] Figure 1 shows a pyrolysis reactor according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 shows a pyrolysis reactor according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the pyrolysis reactor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the pyrolysis reactor 1000 according to the present invention includes an internal casing 1100, a shaft 1200, a moving module 1300, a stirring module 1400, a heating furnace 1500, an input section 1600, and an output section 1700.

[0035] The internal casing 1100 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The waste composite material is thermally decomposed within the internal casing 1100. Combustion gas is injected into and discharged from the internal casing 1100 to maintain a reducing atmosphere during the thermal decomposition of the waste composite material. Combustion gas at 400-500°C can be injected into the internal casing 1100.

[0036] The interior of the internal casing 1100 can maintain a reducing atmosphere. To maintain the reducing atmosphere, the gas exhausted from the internal casing 1100 can be recirculated into the internal casing. The exhaust gas consists of nitrogen, carbon dioxide, etc. One or more oxygen measuring sensors may be placed inside the internal casing 1100. The oxygen concentration inside the internal casing 1100 is continuously measured and controlled to keep the oxygen concentration inside the internal casing 1100 below 10%.

[0037] The internal casing 1100 has a length that ensures a sufficient residence time for the waste composite material. The residence time may be at least 2 hours or more. In addition, air with an oxygen concentration of 10% or less is injected into the internal casing 1100 to prevent the waste composite material from accumulating and to allow the waste composite material to mix well with the air.

[0038] The shaft 1200 is positioned at the center of the internal casing 1100, along the longitudinal direction of the internal casing 1100. The shaft 1200 extends outside the internal casing 1100 and can be rotated by a drive unit (not shown). As the shaft 1200 rotates, a high-temperature gas can be circulated through the internal casing 1200 to prevent the accumulation of waste composite material. The high-temperature gas may be exhaust gas, and the oxygen content may be 10% or less.

[0039] The diameter of the shaft 1200 may be 0.1 to 0.3 m. The diameter of the shaft 1200 can be set to be larger as the diameter of the internal casing 1200 increases. As the diameter of the shaft 1200 increases, the area receiving heat transfer within the internal casing 1100 decreases, improving the heat transfer efficiency to the waste composite material. Thus, the present invention can improve heat transfer efficiency while maintaining a large diameter for the internal casing 1200.

[0040] On the other hand, the shaft 1200 is pipe-shaped, allowing high-temperature gas to flow through its internal space. The shaft 1200 may also be made of a metal with high thermal conductivity. The shaft 1200 can transfer more heat to the waste composite material.

[0041] The moving module 1300 moves the waste composite material within the internal casing 1100. As shown in Figure 2, the moving module 1300 has a helical vane fixed to the shaft 1200 by a support base.

[0042] The stirring module 1400 mixes the waste composite material with hot air within the internal casing 1100. The stirring plate of the stirring module 1400 effectively transfers heat to the waste composite material.

[0043] As shown in Figure 3, the waste composite material is located at the bottom of the internal casing 1100, but heat is not easily transferred uniformly to the inside of the internal casing 1100. However, the moving module 1300 and the stirring module 1400 enable efficient heat transfer to the waste composite material while moving and mixing it. At least one moving module 1300 and at least one stirring module 1400 may be arranged alternately. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, three moving modules 1300 and two stirring modules 1400 are arranged alternately, but the invention is not limited to this, and various lengths and numbers of moving modules 1300 and stirring modules 1400 may be arranged alternately.

[0044] The residence time of the waste composite material can be adjusted by adjusting the length of the stirring module 1400. The length of the stirring module 1400 is designed considering the residence time during the pyrolysis reaction, and the residence time is determined by the overall length of the internal casing 1100, the length of the stirring module 1400, and the rotational speed of the shaft 1200. The material of the shaft 1200, the moving module 1300, and the stirring module 1400 may be a metal with high thermal conductivity. The larger the radius of the shaft 1200, the smaller the radial width of the stirring plate in the stirring module 1400. This reduces the area of ​​the stirring plate that receives heat, and by allowing the stirring plate to receive more heat per unit area, high-temperature heat can be effectively transferred to the waste composite material. The moving module 1300 and the stirring module 1400 will be described in detail later.

[0045] The heating furnace 1500 supplies heat to the waste composite material. High-temperature gas flows into the heating furnace 1500. The heating furnace 1500 indirectly heats the waste composite material using the high-temperature gas.

[0046] High-temperature gas can be generated by a burner (not shown) located outside the heating furnace 1500. The burner burns pyrolysis gas and LNG to produce combustion gas. The generated high-temperature combustion gas is supplied into the external casing 1100. The temperature of the combustion gas may be 400 to 500°C.

[0047] The input section 1600 transmits the crushed waste composite material to the internal casing 1100. The input section 1600 is located on one side of the heating furnace 1500. The input section 1600 is connected to one end of the internal casing 1100.

[0048] The input section 1600 includes a hopper 1610, a first valve 1620, a second valve 1630, a gas inlet 1640, and a gas outlet 1650. The upper end of the hopper 1610 is open, and waste composite material is supplied through the upper end of the hopper 1610. The hopper 1600 may have a frustoconical shape, with a larger diameter at the top and a smaller diameter towards the bottom, to facilitate the supply of waste composite material. A tubular passage extends below the hopper 1600.

[0049] For the thermal decomposition of waste composite material, the composition of the air inside the internal casing 1100 must be kept constant. However, when the input section 1600 is opened to supply waste composite material, outside air flows in together, causing a change in the gas composition inside the internal casing 1100. To prevent this, the input section 1600 is equipped with a first valve 1620 and a second valve 1630. The first valve 1620 is located on the upstream side of the passage, and the second valve 1630 is located on the downstream side of the passage.

[0050] The first valve 1620 and the second valve 1630 are not opened simultaneously but are controlled to open sequentially. The first valve 1620 and the second valve 1630 can be opened in a sliding manner, and the degree to which they are opened can be adjusted according to the amount of waste composite material to be fed in. In this embodiment, the feeding section 1600 forms a double structure with the first and second valves 1620 and 1630, but is not limited to this, and may have three or more valves on the feeding section side. Each valve can move within a predetermined range. By opening each of the multiple valves, the desired amount of crushed waste composite material can be fed into the internal casing 1100. Furthermore, such a double valve system allows for continuous feeding of waste composite material into the internal casing 1100, and minimizes the inflow of oxygen during feeding.

[0051] The first valve 1620 can be opened when the second valve 1630 is closed. After the first valve 1620 is opened and a predetermined amount of crushed waste composite material is fed in, the second valve 1630 is opened when the first valve 1620 is closed and the input section 1600 is sealed. Simultaneously with the opening of the second valve 1630, flue gas can be injected through the gas inlet 1640. Flue gas is supplied into the passage of the input section 1600 while the second valve 1630 is open, and when the second valve 1630 is closed again, the flue gas is released through the gas outlet 1650. The waste composite material is fed into the internal casing 1100 when the second valve 1630 is opened. To facilitate the drawing of the waste composite material into the internal casing 1100, the passage of the input section 1600 may have an inclined surface that slopes toward the internal casing 1100. The double valve and flue gas supply minimize the inflow of oxygen into the internal casing 1100.

[0052] The thermally decomposed carbon fibers, glass fibers, and char are discharged through the discharge section 1700. The discharge section 1700 is located on the other side of the heating furnace 1500. The discharge section 1700 is connected to the downstream end of the internal casing 1100.

[0053] The pyrolysis reaction products discharged from the discharge section 1700 can be moved to a reaction product collection section (not shown). The reaction product collection section contains the pyrolysis reaction products. The reaction product collection section is connected to the discharge section 1700. The reaction product collection section may have a slope formed on the side adjacent to the discharge section 1700 so that the pyrolysis results discharged from the discharge section 1700 do not abruptly collide with the bottom surface of the reaction product collection section.

[0054] The reaction material collection section can have a flue gas atmosphere of 100°C or higher to prevent damage to the recycled fibers due to a rapid drop in temperature. Carbon fibers, glass fibers, and char are collected in the reaction material collection section.

[0055] Figure 4 shows a moving module in a pyrolysis reactor according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 5 shows a stirring plate in a pyrolysis reactor according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 6 shows a stirring module in a pyrolysis reactor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0056] The moving module 1300 and the stirring module 1400 will be described in more detail.

[0057] As shown in Figure 4, the moving module 1300 comprises a helical blade 1310, a horizontal support base 1320, and a vertical support base 1330. The helical blade 1310 is positioned at a distance from the shaft 1200. The helical blade 1310 is supported by multiple horizontal support bases 1320 and vertical support bases 1330.

[0058] Multiple horizontal support bases 1320 are fixed at one end to the shaft 1200 and extend horizontally. The other ends of the multiple horizontal support bases 1320 are fixed to the helical blades 1310 and support the helical blades 1310 horizontally. Multiple vertical support bases 1330 are fixed at one end to the shaft 1200 and extend vertically. The other ends of the multiple vertical support bases 1330 are fixed to the helical blades 1310 and support the helical blades 1310 vertically.

[0059] The width of the helical blades 1310 can be adjusted according to the design specifications. For example, the width of the helical blades 1310 may be 10 to 15 cm. The spacing between adjacent helical blades 1310 can be set differently depending on the target residence time. For example, the spacing between helical blades may be 0.3 to 0.5 m. The material of the helical blades 1310 may be a metal with high thermal conductivity.

[0060] The spacing between the spiral blades 1310 and the rotational speed of the shaft 1200 can be adjusted to control the retention rate of the waste composite material and the state of the reactants.

[0061] The spiral blade 1310 can be separated from the inner wall surface of the internal casing 1100 by 4 to 10 mm. By separating the spiral blade 1310 from the inner wall surface of the internal casing 1100, the durability of the spiral blade 1310 is ensured, while also effectively moving the waste composite material 2000 located at the bottom surface of the internal casing 1100.

[0062] The moving module 1300 moves the waste composite material by rotating the helical blades 1310 as the shaft 1200 rotates. The residence time of the waste composite material 2000 within the internal casing can be adjusted by adjusting the rotational speed of the shaft 1200. Since the helical blades 1310 are supported by the horizontal support base 1320 and the vertical support base 1330, it is possible to prevent the waste composite material 2000 from getting caught or stuck in the space between the helical blades 1310 and the shaft 1200. This improves the durability of the moving module 1300.

[0063] The stirring module 1400 comprises a plurality of stirring plates 1410. The plurality of stirring plates 1410 are arranged on the axis 1200 at equal angular intervals. Two to four stirring plates 1410 may be arranged on the axis 1200.

[0064] The stirring plate 1410 comprises a horizontal plate 1411 and a vertical plate 1412.

[0065] The horizontal plate 1411 has an "n" shape. The horizontal plate 1411 can transfer heat by bringing the waste composite material into contact with the plate surface. The horizontal plate 1411 may be extended horizontally with its base portion 1411a fixed to the shaft. The other end of the base portion 1411a is connected to the flat portion 1411b. The flat portion 1411b has a long side extending in the longitudinal direction of the shaft 1200 and a short side extending in the radial direction of the internal casing 1200. The length of the short side, i.e., the width S of the flat portion 1411b, can be determined according to the specifications of the pyrolysis reactor.

[0066] The degree of heat transfer applied to the waste composite material 2000 changes depending on the width S of the flat section 1411b. If the width S of the flat section 1411b is large, a larger amount of waste composite material will come into contact with the stirring plate 1410 when the stirring plate 1410 rotates. If the size of the waste composite material 2000 to be thermally decomposed is large, or if the amount of waste composite material 2000 is large, the width S of the flat section 1411b may be increased so that a larger area of ​​the waste composite material 2000 comes into contact with the stirring plate 1410, or so that more crushed waste composite material 2000 comes into contact with the stirring plate 1410.

[0067] As the waste composite material 2000 falls into the space between the base portion 1411a and the flat portion 1411b, it is prevented from being pinched or stuck to the stirring plate 1410. In addition, not only is heat transferred to the waste composite material 2000 more efficiently, but the waste composite material 2000 is also better mixed with the high-temperature air as it falls from the stirring plate 1410 to the bottom surface of the internal casing 1100. This maximizes the heat transfer efficiency to the waste composite material. To more firmly fix the horizontal plate 1411 to the shaft 1200, a connecting portion may be further provided between the flat portion 1411b and the shaft 1200.

[0068] The vertical plate 1412 is positioned on the horizontal plate 1411, perpendicular to the horizontal plate 1411. The vertical plate 1412 is rectangular in shape, with a long side extending in the longitudinal direction of the axis 1200 and a short side extending in the radial direction of the internal casing. The vertical plate 1412 can transfer heat by bringing the waste composite material into contact with its plate surface. Furthermore, the waste composite material 2000 that has been raised by the horizontal plate 1411 does not fall immediately, but remains in contact with the horizontal plate 1411 and the vertical plate 1412 for a longer period, further improving the heat transfer efficiency. The material of the stirring plate 1410 may be a metal with high thermal conductivity.

[0069] At least one moving module 1300 and at least one stirring module 1400 may be arranged alternately.

[0070] Figure 7 shows a pyrolysis reactor according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 8 shows a transfer module and a stirring module in a pyrolysis reactor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0071] In other embodiments, the moving module 1300 and the stirring module 1400 may extend continuously along the longitudinal direction of the axis and be arranged overlapping each other within the internal casing 1100.

[0072] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the stirring module 1400 can be fixed on an axis and extend in the longitudinal direction of the axis. The stirring module 1400 comprises a plurality of stirring plates 1410'. The plurality of stirring plates 1410' are arranged at equal angular intervals on the axis 1200. There may be 2 to 4 stirring plates 1410' arranged on the axis 1200. The plurality of stirring plates 1410' extend along the longitudinal direction of the axis 1200.

[0073] The stirring plate 1410' comprises a horizontal plate 1411 and a vertical plate 1412.

[0074] The horizontal plate 1411 has an "n" shape. The horizontal plate 1411 can transfer heat by bringing the waste composite material into contact with the plate surface. The width S of the horizontal plate 1411 can be determined according to the specifications of the pyrolysis reactor.

[0075] The degree of heat transfer applied to the waste composite material 2000 changes depending on the width S of the horizontal plate 1411. If the width S of the horizontal plate 1411 is large, a larger amount of waste composite material will come into contact with the stirring plate 1410' when the stirring plate 1410' rotates. If the size of the waste composite material 2000 to be thermally decomposed is large, or if the amount of waste composite material 2000 is large, the width S of the horizontal plate 1411 may be increased so that a larger area of ​​the waste composite material 2000 comes into contact with the stirring plate 1410', or so that more of the crushed waste composite material 2000 comes into contact with the stirring plate 1410.

[0076] Multiple connecting parts can be provided to firmly fix the horizontal plate 1411 to the shaft 1200. This prevents the waste composite material 2000 from being pinched or stuck to the stirring plate 1410' as it falls into the space between the horizontal plate 1411 and the shaft 1200. In addition, this not only allows for better heat transfer to the waste composite material 2000, but also allows the waste composite material 2000 to mix better with the high-temperature air as it falls from the stirring plate 1410' to the bottom of the internal casing 1100. This maximizes the heat transfer efficiency to the waste composite material.

[0077] The vertical plate 1412 is positioned on the horizontal plate 1411, perpendicular to the horizontal plate 1411. The vertical plate 1412 is rectangular in shape, with a long side extending in the longitudinal direction of the axis 1200 and a short side extending in the radial direction of the internal casing. The vertical plate 1412 can transfer heat by bringing the waste composite material into contact with its plate surface. Furthermore, the horizontal plate 1411 restricts the fall of the waste composite material 2000 that has risen, preventing the waste composite material from falling immediately and allowing it to remain in contact with the horizontal plate 1411 and the vertical plate 1412 for a longer period, thereby further improving the heat transfer efficiency. The material of the stirring plate 1410' may be a metal with high thermal conductivity.

[0078] The mobile module 1300 is fixed to one side of the stirring plate 1410' and extends longitudinally along the shaft 1200. The mobile module 1300 is equipped with a helical blade 1310'. The helical blade 1310' is positioned at a distance from the shaft 1200. The helical blade 1310' is supported by being sandwiched between the horizontal plates 1411 of the multiple stirring plates 1410'. For more robust support of the helical blade 1310', the mobile module 1300 may further be equipped with multiple support bases. The multiple support bases may have one end fixed to the shaft 1200 and extend radially to secure the helical blade 1310'.

[0079] The width of the helical blades 1310' can be adjusted according to the design specifications. For example, the width of the helical blades 1310' may be 10 to 15 cm. The spacing between adjacent helical blades 1310 can be set differently depending on the target residence time. For example, the spacing between helical blades may be 0.3 to 0.5 m. The material of the helical blades 1310' may be a metal with high thermal conductivity.

[0080] The spacing between the spiral blades 1310' and the rotational speed of the shaft 1200 can be adjusted to control the retention rate of the waste composite material and the state of the reactants.

[0081] The spiral blade 1310' can be separated from the inner wall surface of the internal casing 1100 by 4 to 10 mm. By separating the spiral blade 1310' from the inner wall surface of the internal casing 1100, the durability of the spiral blade 1310' is ensured, while also effectively moving the waste composite material 2000 located at the bottom surface of the internal casing 1100.

[0082] The moving module 1300 moves the waste composite material while the spiral blades 1310' rotate due to the rotation of the shaft 1200. The residence time of the waste composite material 2000 within the internal casing 1100 can be adjusted by adjusting the rotation speed of the shaft 1200. The spiral blades 1310' are supported by the horizontal plate 1411 of the stirring plate 1410' at a distance from the shaft 1200, which prevents the waste composite material 2000 from getting caught or stuck in the space between the spiral blades 1310' and the stirring plate 1410' and the shaft 1200. This improves the durability of the moving module 1300.

[0083] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram showing a carbon fiber and glass fiber recovery apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 10 shows that two pyrolysis reactors according to an embodiment of the present invention are arranged in a stacked configuration.

[0084] As shown in Figure 9, the carbon fiber and glass fiber recovery apparatus 3000 includes a waste composite material supply unit 3100, a reaction unit 3200, a heat supply unit 3300, a modification unit 3400, and a separation unit 3500.

[0085] The waste composite material supply unit 3100 supplies waste composite material to the reaction unit 3200. The waste composite material supply unit 3100 can pre-treat the waste composite material to a state suitable for thermal decomposition before supplying it to the reaction unit 3200.

[0086] The waste composite material supply unit 3100 comprises a crushing module, a conveying module, a storage module, and a feeding module. The crushing module crushes the collected waste composite material to a predetermined size and moves it to the storage module via the conveying module. The crushing module can crush waste composite material cut to a predetermined length to a thickness of 20 mm or less. On the other hand, the crushing module can adjust the crushing size of the cut waste composite material. The crushing size of the waste composite material can be adjusted according to the target condition of the waste composite material and the final result. If long fibers can be recovered, the crushing size of the waste blades may be larger.

[0087] Conveyors may be used to transport the waste composite material to its respective units and modules during the recovery process. Multiple conveyors may be installed continuously or in parallel along the path of the waste composite material. The waste composite material may be screened during transport.

[0088] Hot air is supplied to the storage module to reduce the generation of water vapor during the thermal decomposition process of waste composite materials, thereby drying the stored waste composite materials.

[0089] The input module feeds the waste composite material into the pyrolysis reactor 1000 of the reaction unit 3200. A single-screw feeder can be used to feed the crushed waste composite material. The input module can feed the waste composite material into the input section 1600 of the pyrolysis reactor 1000 either sporadically or continuously.

[0090] On the other hand, it is necessary to lower the temperature of the waste composite material placed in the input module. Cooling jackets can be placed on the bottom and sides of the input module to cool the waste composite material. The pyrolysis reactor connected to the bottom of the input section is at a high temperature due to the high-temperature gas flowing inside. By placing cooling jackets on the bottom and sides of the input module, it is possible to prevent fires from occurring in the waste blades located inside the input module before the heat released from the pyrolysis reactor is transferred to the input module and fed into the pyrolysis reactor. The cooling jackets can receive chilled water from the cooling tower of the reforming unit to lower the temperature of the waste composite material being fed in.

[0091] The reaction unit 3200 receives waste composite material from the waste composite material supply unit 3100 and pyrolyzes it. The reaction unit 3200 includes at least one pyrolysis reactor 1000. The pyrolysis reactor 1000 may include an internal casing 1100, a shaft 1200, a moving module 1300, a stirring module 1400, a heating furnace 1500, an input section 1600, and an output section 1700.

[0092] As the pyrolysis reactor 1000 has been described above, its explanation will be omitted.

[0093] The waste composite material introduced into the pyrolysis reactor 1000 is pyrolyzed within the reactor 1000. The pyrolysis step can consist of a primary pyrolysis step and a secondary pyrolysis step. Primary pyrolysis gasifies resins such as epoxy and wood contained in the waste composite material. Secondary pyrolysis decomposes the resin and char, which still contain carbon fibers and glass fiber clumps. The internal temperature of the pyrolysis reactor 1000 during primary and secondary pyrolysis may be 400 to 600°C.

[0094] Primary and secondary pyrolysis may be carried out by the pyrolysis reactor 1000. Two or more pyrolysis reactors may be used in conjunction, taking into consideration the residence time of the waste composite material in the reactor, the size of the waste composite material being introduced, etc. For example, the reaction unit 3200 may include one primary pyrolysis reactor 1000 and one secondary pyrolysis reactor 1000'. Alternatively, to ensure sufficient residence time during primary pyrolysis, the reaction unit 3200 may include two primary pyrolysis reactors 1000 and one secondary pyrolysis reactor 1000'.

[0095] The primary pyrolysis reactor 1000 for primary pyrolysis and the secondary pyrolysis reactor 1000' for secondary pyrolysis may be connected horizontally or vertically. As shown in Figure 10, when multiple pyrolysis reactors are connected vertically, there is an advantage in that the overall size of the plant can be reduced and the design flexibility can be increased.

[0096] During primary pyrolysis, the oxygen concentration inside the primary pyrolysis reactor 1000 must be maintained at 10% or less. A sensor can be placed inside the primary pyrolysis reactor 1000 to continuously measure the oxygen concentration. In another embodiment, a sensor may be placed in the exhaust line to measure the oxygen concentration in the exhaust gas.

[0097] During primary pyrolysis, the residence time of the crushed waste composite material in the primary pyrolysis reactor 1000 may be 9 hours or less. If the residence time exceeds 9 hours, the reactants may become excessively carbonized. The temperature inside the primary pyrolysis reactor 1000 may be 400 to 500°C.

[0098] As a result of primary pyrolysis, resins such as epoxy and wood contained in the waste composite material are gasified in the pyrolysis reactor 1000, leaving behind carbon fiber and glass fiber aggregates as the final product. At this time, any resin that has not yet been gasified is carbonized (charred) and remains on the surface of the carbon fiber and glass fiber.

[0099] As a result of the first pyrolysis process, in addition to gas and char, oil vapor is produced. The oil vapor is cooled as it passes through the reforming unit 3400, and some of it can be extracted as gas and some as oil. The oil vapor can be cooled with water. The gas produced from the oil vapor has a calorific value and can be flowed into the gas tank of the heat supply unit 3300 and used as an indirect heat source for secondary pyrolysis.

[0100] Secondary pyrolysis may be carried out in a secondary pyrolysis reactor 1000'. Secondary pyrolysis is a combustion reaction. The carbon fiber and glass fiber mass, from which some of the char has been removed, is moved to the secondary pyrolysis reactor 1000'. In this step, the carbon fiber and glass fiber may have char attached between each fiber. In the secondary pyrolysis process, a combustion gas containing about 10% oxygen burns off the residual epoxy and char. The residual epoxy and char are removed by the secondary pyrolysis process, i.e., the combustion process, leaving only the carbon fiber and glass fiber.

[0101] The heat source for secondary pyrolysis may be combustion gas. The temperature of the combustion gas injected into the secondary pyrolysis reactor 1000' may be 500-600°C, preferably 500°C. The oxygen concentration in the combustion gas may be about 10%. The combustion reaction in the secondary pyrolysis reactor 1000' decomposes the resin and char remaining in the carbon fiber and glass fiber mass.

[0102] The residence time in the secondary pyrolysis reactor 1000' for carbon fiber and glass fiber blocks may be 3 hours or less. At this time, if the oxygen concentration in the secondary pyrolysis reactor 1000' is high, oxidation of the heated material may occur, so the oxygen concentration should be maintained at 10% or less.

[0103] As a result of secondary thermal decomposition, high-purity carbon fibers and glass fibers remain.

[0104] The heat supply unit 3300 may include a burner, a heat exchanger, a blower, a scrubber, and a chimney. The thermal energy required for the pyrolysis reaction can be supplied by the burner. The burner can supply combustion gas to the external casing in an indirect heating manner. The burner can use pyrolysis gas or LNG as fuel. The blower injects external air into the heat exchanger so that the external air is subjected to heat exchange. The external air is heated by the heat exchanger and supplied to the storage module.

[0105] The scrubber treats the waste gas. A dust collector using an aqueous NaOH solution can be used as the scrubber. In this embodiment, a washing dust collector using an aqueous NaOH solution is used, but it is not limited to this, and scrubbers using a filtration method, electrostatic method, etc. may also be used. The chimney discharges the waste gas and by-products.

[0106] The reforming unit 3400 may include a catalyst tower, a heat exchanger, a separation tank, a washing tank, and a pressure control tank. The reforming unit 3400 converts pyrolysis gas into oil. Approximately 30% of the total pyrolysis gas can be converted into pyrolysis oil. This allows for a reduction in the amount of fuel used for pyrolysis.

[0107] While commercially available zeolite catalysts such as ZSM-5 can be used as the catalyst tower, the system is not limited to them. The pyrolysis gas flows into the lower part of the catalyst tower and is reformed as it flows upward. The heat exchanger cools the pyrolysis gas that has passed through the catalyst tower, converting the oil vapor back into oil.

[0108] The separation tank separates the condensed pyrolysis gas into gas and oil. The cooled pyrolysis gas moves to the separation tank. The gaseous pyrolysis gas is discharged to the top of the separation tank, and the condensed oil is discharged to the bottom of the separation tank. The condensed oil can be stored in a pyrolysis oil storage tank.

[0109] The pyrolysis gas discharged from the top of the separation tank flows into a washing tank where impurities in the gaseous pyrolysis gas are removed. The washing tank neutralizes the pyrolysis gas to reduce the amount of hydrogen chloride (HCl) in it, and the neutralized pyrolysis gas flows into the pressure control tank. The pressure control tank is positioned to prevent backflow of the pyrolysis gas before it is supplied to the burner. The pyrolysis gas discharged from the pressure control tank can then be supplied to the burner.

[0110] The reformed pyrolysis gas is again used as fuel for heating the primary and secondary pyrolysis reactors 1000 and 1000'. By reusing the pyrolysis gas as fuel, overall fuel consumption can be reduced, and pollutant emissions can be lowered.

[0111] The separation unit 3500 may comprise a washing section, a separation section, a first chamber, a second chamber, a carding module, and a pelleting module. The washing section washes the secondary pyrolysis product so that only chunks of carbon fiber and glass fiber remain, and the separation section separates the secondary pyrolysis product into r-CF (recycled carbon fiber) and r-GF (recycled glass fiber). r-CF and r-GF can be separated using density differences. There are two methods for using density differences: a dry method and a wet method. The dry method utilizes airflow, creating airflow over the second pyrolysis product moving on a conveyor to move the lighter carbon fibers.

[0112] The wet method is a method of separating carbon fibers and glass fibers using a liquid with an intermediate density between that of carbon fibers and glass fibers.

[0113] The carbon fibers and glass fibers separated by the separation unit can be moved to the first chamber and the second chamber, respectively. The separation of carbon fibers and glass fibers may be performed on a conveyor.

[0114] The carbon fibers and glass fibers stored in the first and second chambers, respectively, can be post-processed for retrieval.

[0115] The carding module brushes r-CF and r-GF of a predetermined length. The length of the r-CF and r-GF from which the resin has been removed is 50 mm or less. Because r-CF and r-GF have short fiber lengths, they are brushed for post-processing. The brushed r-CF and r-GF are compressed and processed into a nonwoven fabric. If the length of r-CF and r-GF is 5 mm or less, they are not fed into the carding module because brushing is not easy. Before the recovered r-CF and r-GF are fed into the carding module, r-CF and r-GF with a length of 5 mm or less can be separated using a mesh or the like.

[0116] The pelletizing module melts and mixes the recovered r-CF and r-GF with resin to produce pellets. The pelletizing module cuts the nonwoven fabric produced in the carding module to a predetermined size and mixes it with the molten resin. The r-CF and r-GF nonwoven fabric, whose structure has hardened due to compression, hardens together with the resin and is discharged.

[0117] r-CF and r-GF with a length of 5 mm or less are immediately fed into the pelletizing module. r-CF and r-GF with a length of 5 mm or less are immediately mixed with resin and pelletized.

[0118] The control unit receives information on the size of the waste composite material particles fed from the waste composite material supply unit 3100 to the pyrolysis reactor, and can determine whether the carbon fibers and glass fibers stored in the first and second chambers, respectively, move to the pelletizing module via the carding module, or move directly to the pelletizing module. Depending on the user's needs, the size of the crushed waste composite material may be adjusted in the crushing step.

[0119] In this invention, the waste composite material may be crushed, thermally decomposed, and separated from carbon fibers and glass fibers in a single process, or it may be moved to each unit by a conveyor. One or more conveyors can be coordinated to adjust the residence time at each unit.

[0120] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, a person with ordinary skill in the art can modify and change the present invention in various ways by adding, changing, deleting, or adding components, without departing from the spirit of the invention as described in the claims, and this is also included within the scope of the rights of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0121] 1000: Pyrolysis reactor, 1100: Internal casing 1200: Axis, 1300: Movement module 1310: Helical blade, 1320: Horizontal support base 1330: Vertical support base, 1400: Stirring module 1410: Stirring plate, 1411: Horizontal plate 1412: Vertical plate, 1500: Heating furnace 1600: Input section, 1610: Hopper 1620: First valve, 1630: Second valve 1640: Gas inlet, 1650: Gas outlet 1700: Discharge section, 2000: Waste composite material

Claims

1. A cylindrical internal casing, An axis positioned at the radial center of the internal casing and extending in the longitudinal direction of the internal casing, At least one movable module fixed on the aforementioned axis, It includes at least one stirring module fixed on the shaft and arranged alternately with the moving module, The stirring module comprises a plurality of stirring plates arranged at equal angular intervals along the axis, Each of the aforementioned plurality of stirring plates is "n" shaped, with one end fixed to the shaft and extending radially in the internal casing, It is rectangular in shape and comprises a vertical plate extending vertically on the horizontal plate, The aforementioned horizontal plate is The flat part and The shaft has a plurality of base portions that are spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the shaft, A pyrolysis reactor in which each of the plurality of bases has one end fixed to the axis and the other end connected to the planar portion, and is unfolded in the radial direction.

2. The radial width of the planar portion is wider than the radial width of the plurality of base portions. The pyrolysis reactor according to claim 1.

3. The pyrolysis reactor according to claim 1, further comprising a heating furnace equipped with a burner and having the internal casing housed inside.

4. The aforementioned mobile module is Multiple horizontal support bases, one end of which extends horizontally from the axis, Multiple vertical support bases, one end of which extends perpendicularly from the aforementioned axis, A pyrolysis reactor according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising a spiral blade having a predetermined width, connected to the other end of the plurality of horizontal support bases and the other end of the plurality of vertical support bases.

5. The radial position on which the vertical plate is provided on the horizontal plate is closer to the axis than the radial position on which the helical blade is provided. The pyrolysis reactor according to claim 4.

6. The pyrolysis reactor according to claim 3, further comprising a feeding section disposed on one side of the heating furnace and connected to one end of the internal casing.

7. The pyrolysis reactor according to claim 3, further comprising a discharge section disposed on the other side of the heating furnace and connected to the other end of the internal casing.

8. The pyrolysis reactor according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a combustion gas at 400 to 500°C is supplied into the internal casing.

9. The pyrolysis reactor according to claim 4, wherein the separation distance between the inner wall of the internal casing and the helical blades is 4 to 10 mm.

10. The pyrolysis reactor according to claim 4, wherein the distance between adjacent helices in the helical vanes is 0.3 to 0.5 m.

11. A waste composite material supply unit, A reaction unit for heating the waste composite material supplied from the waste composite material supply unit, A heat supply unit that provides heat to the reaction unit, A reforming unit that separates the pyrolysis gas discharged from the reaction unit into gas and oil, The separation unit includes a separation section for separating the result of the reaction unit into a first substance and a second substance, a first chamber for containing the first substance, and a second chamber for containing the second substance. The reaction unit includes at least one pyrolysis reactor, The aforementioned pyrolysis reactor is A cylindrical internal casing, An axis positioned at the radial center of the internal casing and extending in the longitudinal direction of the internal casing, At least one movable module fixed on the aforementioned axis, The system comprises at least one stirring module fixed on the shaft and arranged alternately with the moving module, The stirring module comprises a plurality of stirring plates arranged at equal angular intervals along the axis, The aforementioned multiple stirring plates are "n" shaped, with one end fixed to the shaft and extending radially in the internal casing, It is rectangular in shape and includes a vertical plate that extends vertically on the horizontal plate, The aforementioned horizontal plate is The flat part and The shaft has a plurality of base portions that are spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the shaft, A carbon fiber and glass fiber recovery device in which each of the plurality of base portions has one end fixed to the axis and the other end connected to the planar portion, and is deployed in the radial direction.

12. The aforementioned pyrolysis reactor is The carbon fiber and glass fiber recovery apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising a heating furnace equipped with a burner and having the internal casing housed inside.

13. The aforementioned mobile module is Multiple horizontal support bases, one end of which extends horizontally from the axis, Multiple vertical support bases, one end of which extends perpendicularly from the aforementioned axis, A carbon fiber and glass fiber recovery apparatus according to claim 11 or 12, comprising a spiral blade having a predetermined width, connected to the other end of the plurality of horizontal support bases and the other end of the plurality of vertical support bases.

14. The carbon fiber and glass fiber recovery apparatus according to claim 11 or 12, wherein a combustion gas at 400 to 500°C is supplied into the internal casing.

15. The carbon fiber and glass fiber recovery apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the separation distance between the inner wall of the internal casing and the helical blades is 4 to 10 mm.

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