Feedstock Delivery System Splitter for Thermochemical Reactor Pressure Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current feedstock delivery systems for thermochemical conversion of carbonaceous materials face challenges in achieving high throughput, ensuring uniform distribution within reactors, and maintaining reactor pressure, which affects the efficiency of thermochemical reactions.
Innovation Solution
A feedstock delivery system that includes a splitter to divide bulk carbonaceous material into multiple streams, gas and carbonaceous material mixing systems with isolation valves and differential pressure sensors, and transport assemblies to ensure uniform mixing and distribution within a reactor, controlled by a computer to manage valve states and pressure differentials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If bulk carbonaceous material is continuously introduced into the reactor to increase throughput, then productivity is improved, but reactor pressure stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The bulk carbonaceous material stream is divided into multiple separate streams using a splitter device. Each stream is independently controlled and introduced into different locations within the reactor, allowing for better pressure management while maintaining high overall throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
A distribution system with multiple injection points acts as an intermediary between the feedstock source and the reactor core. This intermediate distribution network allows for staged introduction of feedstock, preventing sudden pressure fluctuations while maintaining high throughput rates.
2Productivity
If feedstock is introduced at high rates to increase throughput, then productivity is improved, but feedstock distribution uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The feedstock stream is segmented into multiple smaller streams that are injected at different locations within the reactor. This segmentation ensures more uniform distribution of feedstock throughout the reactor volume, preventing localized accumulation while maintaining high overall throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the reactor receive feedstock at optimized rates and locations tailored to local reaction conditions. The distribution system provides localized feedstock introduction that matches the spatial variation in reaction intensity, ensuring uniform overall distribution.
3Stability of the object's composition
If multiple feedstock streams are used to improve distribution, then feedstock distribution uniformity is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The distribution system is designed with multi-functional components that perform both splitting and distribution functions. The same infrastructure used for feedstock distribution also serves as the injection system, eliminating the need for separate complex control mechanisms for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple feedstock streams are combined with reactant gases in integrated mixing sections before injection. This merging of feedstock and gas streams into a single delivery mechanism simplifies the overall system architecture while maintaining the benefits of multiple feedstock pathways.
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 enhances the efficiency of thermochemical reactions by ensuring high feedstock throughput, uniform distribution, and stable reactor pressure, leading to improved production of product gas for further conversion into liquid fuels and hydrocarbons.
Implementation Method 1
a differential pressure sensor configured to measure a pressure differential between an entry section and an exit section of the mixing chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A feedstock delivery system transfers a carbonaceous material, such as municipal solid waste, into a product gas generation system. The feedstock delivery system includes a splitter for splitting bulk carbonaceous material into a plurality of carbonaceous material streams. Each stream is processed using a weighing system for gauging the quantity of carbonaceous material, a densification system for forming plugs of carbonaceous material, a de-densification system for breaking up the plugs of carbonaceous material, and a gas and carbonaceous material mixing system for forming a carbonaceous material and gas mixture. A pressure of the mixing gas is reduced prior to mixing with the carbonaceous material, and the carbonaceous material to gas weight ratio is monitored. A transport assembly conveys the carbonaceous material and gas mixture to a first reactor where at least the carbonaceous material within the mixture is subject to thermochemical reactions to form the product gas.