Biocoal Cooling Structure With Water Spray Near the Inlet
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional conveyor systems face challenges in handling hot biocoal due to its high temperatures, which can lead to spontaneous combustion, material degradation, and safety hazards, with existing cooling mechanisms being inadequate for temperature control and energy efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A combination of a pneumatic conveyor system with a cooling structure that uses a controlled amount of water to evaporate on hot biocoal, combined with dry cooling and inert gas to manage temperature and minimize material degradation, utilizing a gaslock to facilitate safe handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional conveyor systems are used to transport hot biocoal, then material handling capability is maintained, but temperature control deteriorates leading to spontaneous combustion risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cooling chamber as an intermediary component between the pyrolysis reactor and conveyor system. This cooling chamber acts as a mediator that gradually reduces the temperature of hot biocoal before it enters the conveyor, preventing spontaneous combustion while maintaining reliable material handling. The cooling chamber provides a controlled environment where temperature reduction occurs before the material is transported.
2Temperature
If water spraying is applied to cool hot biocoal, then temperature reduction is achieved, but energy efficiency deteriorates due to excessive water consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements parameter changes by controlling the water spraying process to occur at specific temperature thresholds and locations within the cooling chamber. By adjusting parameters such as water spray rate, spray location, and timing based on the biocoal temperature, the system achieves effective cooling while minimizing water consumption and associated energy losses. This selective parameter adjustment optimizes the cooling process efficiency.
3Temperature
If rapid cooling is applied to hot biocoal, then temperature control is improved, but material quality deteriorates due to degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic action through a multi-stage cooling process where cooling intensity varies at different stages. The cooling chamber provides gradual cooling in the first stage to prevent thermal shock and material degradation, followed by more intensive cooling in subsequent stages once the material has adapted. This periodic variation in cooling intensity maintains material quality while achieving effective temperature control.
4Temperature
If cooling structures are added to handle hot biocoal, then temperature management is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cooling function with the existing conveyor system architecture. The cooling chamber is integrated into the material handling flow path, combining temperature management with material transport in a unified system. This merging approach improves temperature management while minimizing the increase in device complexity by utilizing the existing system framework rather than adding completely separate cooling equipment.
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 system effectively reduces the temperature of biocoal below its ignition point, ensuring safe handling and efficient energy transfer.
Implementation Method 1
uses a controlled amount of water to evaporate on hot biocoal
Implementation Method 2
The system effectively reduces the temperature of biocoal below its ignition point
Implementation Method 3
combined with dry cooling and inert gas to manage temperature and minimize material degradation
Implementation Method 4
A combination of a pneumatic conveyor system with a cooling structure that uses a controlled amount of water to evaporate on hot biocoal, combined with dry cooling
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
An apparatus for cooling pyrolysis coal, the apparatus comprising: - a cooling structure with a coal inlet and a coal outlet, the cooling structure being configured to receive pyrolysis coal mostly having a temperature above its ignition temperature at the coal inlet, to maintain the pyrolysis coal separate from ambient air and to dry cool the pyrolysis coal while moving the pyrolysis coal towards the coal outlet; and - a spraying device configured to disperse water; wherein the spraying device is configured to disperse the water at the pyrolysis coal inside the cooling structure in proximity to the coal inlet.