Bin System Sloping Lines Assist Gas Char Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
The bin system and char recovery unit in integrated coal gasification combined cycle facilities face equipment upsizing and increased costs due to the need for long, vertically oriented char discharge and feed lines to prevent char accumulation, which limits efficiency and increases costs.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a bin system with sloping powder discharge and feed lines and an assist device that feeds inert gas along the inner circumference of the piping to facilitate smooth powder flow, allowing for steeper slope angles and reducing equipment height through effective powder transportation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If char discharge lines and char feed lines are set sloping at a large slope angle, then powder flow efficiency is improved, but equipment height increases and lines become longer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing assist devices (gas injection nozzles, vibration devices, or air knives) at specific locations along the char discharge lines and feed lines where powder accumulation is most likely to occur. This localized assistance enables the lines to be set at larger slope angles without increasing overall length, as help is provided only where needed rather than requiring uniform line configuration throughout.
2Productivity
If char discharge lines and char feed lines are set sloping at a large slope angle, then powder flow efficiency is improved, but equipment height increases
Solution Approach 1:
By providing assist devices at specific locations along the lines rather than requiring the entire line configuration to accommodate small slope angles, the patent enables steeper slopes without increasing equipment height. The localized assistance allows the lines to be more compact vertically while maintaining effective powder flow.
3Reliability
If char discharge lines and char feed lines are made long to accommodate small slope angles, then powder accumulation is prevented, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces assist devices as intermediary elements that facilitate powder flow through char discharge lines and feed lines. These devices (gas injection nozzles, vibration devices, or air knives) act as mediators that prevent powder accumulation without requiring the lines to be excessively long or complex, thereby maintaining reliability while reducing system complexity.
4Ease of operation
If multiple separation devices and hoppers are arranged in rows horizontally, then powder transportation is facilitated, but interference among devices occurs and lines become longer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by transitioning from horizontal row arrangement to vertical stacking of separation devices and hoppers. This vertical arrangement, combined with assist devices on sloping lines, eliminates horizontal interference between devices while maintaining effective powder transportation, thereby reducing line length and system complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables equipment downsizing by preventing powder accumulation and maintaining efficient powder flow, thereby reducing operational costs and enhancing the overall efficiency of the char recovery process.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of powder discharge lines placed sloping at the predetermined slope angle and capable of discharging the powder into the bin by causing the powder to fall with the force of gravity
Implementation Method 2
an assist device that assists the flow of the powder that falls with the force of gravity through the plurality of powder discharge lines
Data Source
AI summary
A bin system and a char recovery unit are provided with: a bin for storing char; three char discharge lines placed at the predetermined slope angle for causing the char to fall with the force of gravity so as to discharge the char into the bin; four switching lines placed at the predetermined slope angle for causing the char to fall with the force of gravity so as to feed the char stored in the bin; and assist gas feed units as assist devices for assisting the flow of the char that falls with the force of gravity through the char discharge lines. This allows for equipment downsizing.