Drying and removal apparatus for improving biomass drying efficiency

Abstract

A drying and removal apparatus for improving biomass drying efficiency, according to one embodiment of the present invention, may comprise: a chamber into which biomass is introduced; a plurality of driving belts disposed in multiple stages in order to move the biomass introduced into the chamber; a plurality of movement pipes which are disposed at the inner side of the driving belts, and through which supply water for district heating moves; and a removal device which is rotatably disposed at the inner side of the driving belts, and which strikes the inner surfaces of the driving belts during rotation so as to shake off the biomass attached to the driving belts.

Description

Drying and stripping device to improve biomass drying efficiency

[0001] The present invention relates to a drying and stripping device for improving biomass drying efficiency, and more particularly, to a drying and stripping device for improving biomass drying efficiency using a porous belt and the circulation of waste heat from a power plant.

[0002] Waste heat from existing power plants was mainly used to provide heating for nearby crops or microalgae photoculture, and the existing harvested microalgae biomass was dehydrated and then dried using an electric dryer to produce powder, which resulted in the problem of consuming a significant amount of energy.

[0003] In other words, since the electric dryer itself takes up a lot of space and does not dry uniformly, it is necessary to save energy by utilizing exhaust gas and waste heat from heating water generated from power plants.

[0004] In the past, there were cases where power plants used waste heat or carbon dioxide to supply it to farms and promote crop growth, or where waste heat from power plants was used for heating in the photo-cultivation of microalgae. However, there was no technology to use waste heat from exhaust gas and district heating water before chimney discharge to promote photo-growth of microalgae and dry biomass. Therefore, this could be used to produce high-value materials and save energy.

[0005] The present invention provides a drying and stripping device for improving biomass drying efficiency, which has a structure that can dry microalgae biomass using power plant exhaust gas and heating water waste heat, rather than using electric dryers that consume a lot of energy.

[0006] In addition, the present invention provides a drying and stripping device for improving biomass drying efficiency, which can reduce loss rate and improve drying performance by increasing the amount of residual biomass transported by a drive belt compared to the inflowing biomass by forming injection holes and injection grooves on the surface of an injection roller to inject biomass.

[0007] In addition, the present invention provides a drying and stripping device for improving biomass drying efficiency, in which biomass adhered to the surface of a drive belt is stripped by applying a strong impact to the drive belt through rotational force using a stripping device, so that the biomass can be dried more effectively while being transported on the drive belt.

[0008] The problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to the problems mentioned above, and other problems not mentioned herein will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.

[0009] A drying and stripping device for improving biomass drying efficiency according to one embodiment of the present invention may include: a chamber into which biomass is introduced; a plurality of drive belts arranged in multiple stages to move biomass introduced into the chamber; a plurality of moving pipes arranged inside the drive belts and through which district heating supply water moves; and a stripping device rotatably arranged inside the drive belt and striking the inner surface of the drive belt during rotation to remove biomass attached to the drive belt.

[0010] The above-mentioned removal device may include a rotating shaft rotatably installed on the inside of the drive belt; a shaft member installed in a direction perpendicular to the rotating shaft; and a removal body installed on at least one end of the shaft member and having a striking protrusion on the surface that strikes the inner surface of the drive belt.

[0011] The above-mentioned removal body can be installed at each end of the above-mentioned shaft member.

[0012] The above-mentioned removal body is formed in a cylindrical shape, and a plurality of the impact protrusions may be provided along the circumference of the removal body.

[0013] The above striking projection may be provided so as to protrude from the surface of the removal body so as to have a triangular cross-section.

[0014] The overall length of the above-mentioned removal device can be formed to be longer than the height at which the above-mentioned drive belt is installed.

[0015] The above-mentioned removal device can strike the inner surface of the drive belt while rotating in the opposite direction to the transport direction of the drive belt.

[0016] A gas discharge unit is installed inside the chamber, and the gas discharge unit can have a gas discharge port formed toward the drive belt through which exhaust gas for drying biomass is discharged.

[0017] The above gas discharge unit can be placed between the drive belts and below the drive belt.

[0018] The above gas discharge portion is arranged at the front and rear of the drive belt, and the gas discharge port can be formed to be inclined toward the upper and lower surfaces of the drive belt.

[0019] A pair of injection rollers for injecting biomass may be installed at the entrance of the above chamber.

[0020] A plurality of injection holes may be formed along the longitudinal direction on the surface of the above injection roller.

[0021] A plurality of injection grooves may be formed on the surface of the above injection roller along the longitudinal direction or the circumferential direction.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the present invention, existing microalgae biomass is mainly dried using energy-intensive electric dryers, but in this embodiment, it is possible to dry using effective power plant exhaust gas and heating water waste heat, thereby enabling significant energy savings.

[0023] In addition, according to one embodiment of the present invention, since biomass is injected by forming injection holes and injection grooves on the surface of the injection roller, the amount of residual biomass transported by the drive belt is increased compared to the biomass introduced, so the loss rate is reduced and drying performance can be improved.

[0024] In addition, according to one embodiment of the present invention, since the biomass stuck to the surface of the drive belt is removed by applying a strong impact to the drive belt by rotational force using a removal device, the biomass can be dried more effectively while being transported on the drive belt.

[0025] FIG. 1 is a drawing illustrating a drying and stripping device for improving biomass drying efficiency according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 2 is a drawing showing an example of an injection roller.

[0027] Figure 3 is a drawing showing another example of an injection roller.

[0028] Figure 4 is a drawing showing another example of an injection roller.

[0029] Figure 5 is a drawing showing another example of an injection roller.

[0030] Figure 6 is a drawing showing the arrangement configuration of a gas discharge unit placed within a chamber.

[0031] FIG. 7 is a drawing illustrating a stripping device of a drying and stripping device for improving biomass drying efficiency according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 8 is a drawing showing the operation of the removal device illustrated in Figure 7 to remove biomass attached to the drive belt.

[0033] FIG. 9 is a drawing showing another example of a stripping device of a drying and stripping device for improving biomass drying efficiency according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 10 is a drawing showing the operation of the removal device illustrated in Figure 9 to remove biomass attached to the drive belt.

[0035] The present invention is susceptible to various modifications and embodiments, and specific embodiments are illustrated and described in detail in the drawings. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to specific embodiments, but rather to encompass all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and technical scope of the present invention. In describing the present invention, detailed descriptions of related known technologies will be omitted if they are deemed to obscure the gist of the present invention.

[0036] Terms such as first, second, etc. may be used to describe various components, but these components should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used solely to distinguish one component from another.

[0037] The terminology used in this application is only used to describe specific embodiments and is not intended to limit the present invention. The singular expression includes the plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this application, it should be understood that the terms "comprises" or "has" indicate the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof described in the specification, but do not preclude the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0038] Additionally, throughout the specification, when we say "connected," this does not only mean that two or more components are directly connected, but also that two or more components are indirectly connected through other components, that they are electrically connected as well as physically connected, or that they are referred to by different names depending on location or function but are one.

[0039] Hereinafter, one embodiment of a drying and stripping device for improving biomass drying efficiency according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. In the description with reference to the attached drawings, identical or corresponding components are assigned the same drawing numbers, and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0040] FIG. 1 is a drawing illustrating a drying and stripping device for improving biomass drying efficiency according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a drawing illustrating an example of an injection roller, FIG. 3 is a drawing illustrating another example of an injection roller, FIG. 4 is a drawing illustrating another example of an injection roller, FIG. 5 is a drawing illustrating another example of an injection roller, and FIG. 6 is a drawing illustrating the arrangement configuration of a gas exhaust unit arranged in a chamber.

[0041] As shown therein, a drying and stripping device for improving biomass drying efficiency according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a chamber (1) into which biomass is introduced, a plurality of drive belts (10) arranged in multiple stages to move the biomass introduced into the chamber (1), a plurality of moving pipes (12) arranged inside the drive belt (10) and through which district heating supply water moves, and a stripping device (40) arranged rotatably on the inside of the drive belt (10) and striking the inner surface of the drive belt (10) during the rotation to shake off the biomass attached to the drive belt (10).

[0042] Chamber (1) provides a space for drying biomass such as microalgae cultured through a photo-cultivation process. Inside the chamber (1), a plurality of drive belts (10) may be arranged in multiple stages. In this drawing, the drive belts (10) are illustrated as being arranged in two stages, but this is not limited to this and may be arranged in three or more stages.

[0043] The drive belt (10) serves to move the biomass introduced into the chamber (1). The drive belt (10) is placed inside the chamber (1) and circulates to move the biomass, thereby performing drying. The drive belt (10) may be a mesh belt made of a porous material. The mesh belt has good breathability, facilitates water drainage, and can increase the utilization of upper and lower pipe heat during drying.

[0044] A moving pipe (12) is installed inside the drive belt (10), and the heat of the district heating supply water passing through the moving pipe (12) can be used to dry biomass above and below the drive belt (10), thereby increasing drying efficiency. The temperature of the district heating supply water is 90 to 100°, which is higher than the temperature of the district heating return water, which is 40 to 50°, and is therefore effective for drying.

[0045] Referring to Fig. 1, the drive belt (10) moves from left to right in the first stage so that the biomass is dried evenly, and the dried biomass naturally moves down to the second stage and is dried while moving from right to left. While the existing electric dryer consumes a lot of energy and is fixed, making it difficult to dry evenly, the drying method according to the present embodiment enables even drying in all directions, and can utilize space with sufficient drying time.

[0046] The moving pipe (12) is arranged inside the drive belt (10) and allows district heating supply water to move. The district heating supply water moving inside the moving pipe (12) can supply heat toward the drive belt (10). The district heating supply water flowing through the moving pipe (12) can transfer high-temperature heat to biomass.

[0047] The moving pipe (12) is arranged between each of the drive belts (10) and can be arranged in a multi-layered structure. In this way, the biomass moving along the drive belt (10) arranged in the second stage where the moving pipe (12) is arranged receives heat not only from the moving pipe (12) arranged in the lower stage but also from the moving pipe (12) arranged in the first stage, thereby increasing the drying efficiency. In addition, the multiple moving pipes (12) arranged in one layer can be arranged between the multiple moving pipes (12) arranged in the adjacent layer, thereby increasing the drying efficiency.

[0048] Meanwhile, a collection tank (14) may be arranged inside the chamber (1) so that the dried biomass is naturally collected while moving along the drive belt (10). In addition, in the present embodiment, exhaust gas supplied from a power plant (16) may be introduced into the chamber (1) to increase the drying efficiency of the biomass. At this time, when the temperature of the exhaust gas drops in winter, additional hot air may be introduced into the chamber (1) using a gas heater or the like to increase the temperature of the chamber, thereby increasing the drying efficiency. At this time, various waste heats (exhaust gas heat, additional gas heat from a steam turbine, etc.) of a power plant (16) may be used as the hot air.

[0049] The waste heat of district heating supply water is supplied from a heat storage tank (18) at 90 to 100°, and the district heating supply water used for drying is recovered at 80 to 85°, then flows back into the heat storage tank (18) to be heated and supplied again at 90 to 100°. If the pipe is long and the district heating supply water is cooled, it can be supplied at a minimum of 90° after being heated in a hot water circulation bath.

[0050] A funnel-shaped injection part (20) into which biomass is injected is installed at the entrance of the chamber (1). Furthermore, a pair of injection rollers (22) are installed at the outlet of the injection part (20) to effectively inject biomass. The biomass is injected between the injection rollers (22), transported into the chamber (1), and dropped onto the upper portion of the drive belt (10).

[0051] Referring to Fig. 2, a roller having a general shape may be used as the injection roller (22). The injection roller (22) according to Fig. 2 has a smooth outer surface, through which biomass is injected.

[0052] Referring to Fig. 3, a plurality of injection holes (24) may be formed along the longitudinal direction on the surface of the injection roller (22). When a pair of injection rollers (22) rotate, biomass is injected between them, but there was a problem that the biomass adhered to the surface of the injection roller (22). Therefore, in the present embodiment, to solve this problem, injection holes (24) were formed on the surface of the injection roller (22). When the injection holes (24) are formed in this way, the amount of residual biomass transported by the drive belt (10) is increased compared to the inflowing biomass, so the loss rate can be reduced and the drying performance can be improved.

[0053] Referring to Fig. 4, a plurality of injection grooves (26) may be formed along the longitudinal direction on the surface of the injection roller (22). In the case of Fig. 4, the injection grooves (26) are formed in a wave shape so that although the biomass is injected in a thin and long shape, the problem of the biomass sticking to the surface of the injection roller (22) can be solved, and as in the above-described embodiment, since the amount of the remaining biomass transported by the drive belt (10) is increased compared to the biomass being introduced, the loss rate can be reduced and the drying performance can be improved.

[0054] Referring to Fig. 5, a plurality of injection grooves (26) can be formed along the circumferential direction on the surface of the injection roller (22). In the case of Fig. 5, the injection grooves (26) are formed in a wrinkle shape so that although the biomass is injected in an accordion shape, the problem of the biomass sticking to the surface of the injection roller (22) can be solved, and as in the above-described embodiment, since the amount of the remaining biomass transported by the drive belt (10) is increased compared to the biomass introduced, the loss rate can be reduced and the drying performance can be improved.

[0055] Referring to Fig. 6, a plurality of gas discharge ports (30) for discharging high-temperature exhaust gas from a power plant may be installed inside the chamber (1). The gas discharge port (30) is a portion for discharging exhaust gas for drying biomass, and a gas discharge port (32) is formed toward the drive belt (10) through which the exhaust gas is discharged. For reference, Fig. 6 briefly illustrates the interior of the chamber (1) for convenience.

[0056] In this embodiment, the gas discharge unit (30) may be positioned between the drive belts (10) and below the drive belt (10). This is to maximize the drying efficiency of the biomass conveyed along the drive belt (10). The gas discharge unit (30) positioned between the drive belts (10) may have a gas discharge port (32) formed so as to face the upper and lower surfaces of the drive belt (10). In this way, the biomass conveyed along the drive belt (10) formed as a mesh belt can be directly dried.

[0057] In addition, the gas discharge portions (30) arranged at the front and rear of the drive belt (10), i.e., the gas discharge portions (30) arranged at the left and right sides of the drive belt (10) in FIG. 6, are arranged at an angle with respect to the drive belt (10), so that the gas discharge ports (32) can be formed at an angle so as to face the upper and lower surfaces of the drive belt (10). In this way, biomass transported along the drive belt (10) formed as a mesh belt can be dried more efficiently.

[0058] FIG. 7 is a drawing illustrating a stripping device of a drying and stripping device for improving biomass drying efficiency according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a drawing illustrating the stripping device illustrated in FIG. 7 in operation to strip biomass attached to a drive belt.

[0059] Referring to FIG. 7, the removal device (40) may include a rotation shaft (41) rotatably installed on the inside of the drive belt (10), a shaft member (42) installed in a direction perpendicular to the rotation shaft (41), and a removal body (44) installed on both ends of the shaft member (42) and having a striking projection (46) on the surface that strikes the inner surface of the drive belt (10).

[0060] Biomass transported along the drive belt (10) falls from the end of the drive belt (10) to the drive belt (10) arranged at the lower end, but some of it sticks to the surface of the drive belt (10) formed as a mesh belt. The biomass stuck in this way does not fall but continues to circulate, which may reduce drying efficiency.

[0061] Accordingly, in this embodiment, a removal device (40) is introduced to remove the biomass stuck to the surface of the drive belt (10). The removal device (40) is installed on the inside of the drive belt (10) and strikes the inner surface of the drive belt (10) with strong rotational force.

[0062] Fig. 7 illustrates a removal device (40) before operation, in which removal bodies (44) can be arranged on both sides centered on a shaft member (42). In this state, when the removal device (40) is operated, the shaft member (42) can rotate around the rotation axis (41) as shown in Fig. 8. At this time, the rotation direction of the removal body (44) can be opposite to the transport direction of the drive belt (10) in order to apply a stronger impact. That is, the removal body (44) can apply a strong impact while rotating the drive belt (10) being transported to the right in a counterclockwise direction.

[0063] In this way, when the removal body (44) rotates and strikes the inner surface of the drive belt (10), the striking projections (46) can strongly strike and shake off the biomass stuck between the mesh belts. Then, since the biomass is removed from the surface of the drive belt (10), it can be dried more effectively when transported on the drive belt (10).

[0064] The removal body (44) is formed in a cylindrical shape, and a plurality of impact protrusions (46) may be provided to protrude along the circumference of the removal body (44). In addition, the impact protrusions (46) may be provided to protrude so as to have a triangular cross-section on the surface of the removal body (44).

[0065] Meanwhile, the overall length of the removal device (40) may be formed to be longer than the height at which the drive belt (10) is installed. In this way, if the length of the removal device (40) is longer than the installation height of the drive belt (10), the drive belt (10) can be struck upward as shown in FIG. 8, thereby providing a stronger impact. At this time, the removal body (44) strikes both the inner surface of the drive belt (10) being transported upward and the inner surface of the drive belt (10) being transported downward.

[0066] In this embodiment, the removal device (40) can apply impact while rotating at a regular cycle during the transport process of the drive belt (10). For example, when biomass is continuously introduced, the removal device (40) can be rotated at regular intervals to strike the inner surface of the drive belt (10) to remove the biomass.

[0067] FIG. 9 is a drawing showing another example of a stripping device of a drying and stripping device for improving biomass drying efficiency according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10 is a drawing showing the stripping device shown in FIG. 9 operating to strip biomass attached to a drive belt.

[0068] Referring to FIG. 9, the removal device (40) may include a rotation shaft (41) rotatably installed on the inside of the drive belt (10), a shaft member (42) installed in a direction perpendicular to the rotation shaft (41), and a removal body (44) installed on one end of the shaft member (42) and having a striking projection (46) on the surface that strikes the inner surface of the drive belt (10).

[0069] In this embodiment, unlike the above-described embodiment, the removal body (44) can be installed only on one end of the shaft member (42). If the removal body (44) is installed only on one end in this way, the impact due to impact can be reduced compared to the above-described embodiment, but if the amount of biomass attached is small, it can be sufficiently removed.

[0070] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes may be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims below.

[0071] In this embodiment, the removal device (40) is illustrated as applying impact by the rotation of the removal body (44), but this is not limited thereto, and any configuration that allows the removal device (40) to apply impact to the inner surface of the drive belt (10) may be applied.

[0072] [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 1: Chamber 10: Drive belt

[0074] 12: Moving pipe 14: Collector

[0075] 16: Power plant 18: Thermal storage tank

[0076] 20: Injection part 22: Injection roller

[0077] 24: Injection hole 26: Injection groove

[0078] 30: Gas discharge port 32: Gas discharge port

[0079] 40: Removal device 41: Rotating shaft

[0080] 42: Axle member 44: Removable body

[0081] 46: Impact bump

Claims

1. Chamber into which biomass is introduced; A plurality of drive belts arranged in multiple stages to move the biomass introduced into the interior of the chamber; A plurality of moving pipes are arranged inside the above drive belt and through which district heating supply water moves; and A drying and stripping device for improving biomass drying efficiency, comprising a stripping device that is rotatably positioned on the inside of the drive belt and strikes the inner surface of the drive belt during rotation to strip off biomass attached to the drive belt.

2. In paragraph 1, The above removal device is, A rotary shaft rotatably installed on the inside of the above driving belt; A shaft member installed in a direction perpendicular to the above rotation axis; and A drying and stripping device for improving biomass drying efficiency, comprising a stripping body installed on at least one end of the shaft member and having a striking projection on the surface that strikes the inner surface of the driving belt.

3. In paragraph 2, The above-mentioned removal body is a drying and removal device for improving biomass drying efficiency, which is installed at each end of the above-mentioned shaft member.

4. In paragraph 2, A drying and stripping device for improving biomass drying efficiency, wherein the stripping body is formed in a cylindrical shape and a plurality of impact protrusions are provided along the circumference of the stripping body.

5. In paragraph 4, A drying and stripping device for improving the drying efficiency of biomass, wherein the above-mentioned impact protrusion is provided so as to have a triangular cross-section on the surface of the above-mentioned stripping body.

6. In paragraph 1, A drying and stripping device for improving biomass drying efficiency, wherein the total length of the above stripping device is formed longer than the height at which the drive belt is installed.

7. In paragraph 1, The above-mentioned stripping device is a drying and stripping device for improving the biomass drying efficiency by striking the inner surface of the driving belt while rotating in the opposite direction to the transport direction of the driving belt.

8. In paragraph 1, A drying and stripping device for improving biomass drying efficiency, wherein a gas discharge unit is installed inside the chamber, and the gas discharge unit has a gas discharge port formed toward the drive belt through which exhaust gas for drying biomass is discharged.

9. In paragraph 8, The above gas discharge unit is a drying and stripping device for improving biomass drying efficiency, which is arranged between the driving belts and below the driving belts.

10. In paragraph 8, A drying and stripping device for improving biomass drying efficiency, wherein the gas discharge portion is arranged at the front and rear of the driving belt, and the gas discharge port is formed to be inclined so as to face the upper and lower surfaces of the driving belt.

11. In paragraph 1, A drying and stripping device for improving biomass drying efficiency, wherein a pair of injection rollers for injecting biomass is installed at the inlet of the above chamber.

12. In paragraph 11, A drying and stripping device for improving biomass drying efficiency, wherein a plurality of injection holes are formed along the longitudinal direction on the surface of the above injection roller.

13. In paragraph 11, A drying and stripping device for improving biomass drying efficiency, wherein a plurality of injection grooves are formed along the longitudinal or circumferential direction on the surface of the above injection roller.

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