Fluidized Bed Reactor Impurity Removal System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Impurities such as stones, sand, slag, and metal parts accumulate in fluidized bed reactors during gasification, reducing efficiency and potentially causing malfunctions due to clumping or blockages, as they are not effectively separated from carbonaceous input materials.

Innovation Solution

A method and device utilizing a gravity or air separator to suspend charred biomass in the reactor, allowing impurities with higher density to sink and be collected below, using a nozzle plate to introduce gasification agents and a baffle plate to direct impurities into a gas-tight container for continuous removal without interrupting the gasification process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If carbonized biomass is continuously fed into the fluidized bed reactor for gasification, then productivity is improved, but contaminants accumulate in the reactor causing blockages and mechanical damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous gasification operationVSAvoidreactor operation reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts contaminants from the fluidized bed reactor by creating a separate collection chamber below the fixed bed. A nozzle plate is positioned to allow contaminants to fall through into this chamber while coke particles continue to be gasified above. This separation enables continuous removal of contaminants without interrupting the gasification process, resolving the contradiction between continuous operation and reactor reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If a gravity separator is used to remove contaminants, then reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontaminant removal effectivenessVSAvoidreactor structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the contaminant collection chamber with the existing reactor structure, positioning it below the fixed bed within the same reactor vessel. The nozzle plate serves dual functions: introducing gasification agent and enabling contaminant separation. This integration approach achieves effective contaminant removal while minimizing additional structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If contaminants are removed continuously, then reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional removal mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous contaminant removalVSAvoidcontaminant removal system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a self-service contaminant removal system where the gas flow and gravity automatically separate and transport contaminants to the collection chamber. The nozzle plate design allows contaminants to be naturally directed downward without requiring additional mechanical removal devices. This passive approach achieves continuous contaminant removal while avoiding complex active removal mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

Enables continuous and reliable operation of fluidized bed reactors by effectively separating and removing impurities, maintaining the quality and efficiency of the gas produced and preventing mechanical damage, with the system designed for easy inspection and maintenance.

Implementation Method 1

carbonized biomass is held in suspension as a fixed bed in the fluidized bed reactor in the inflow of the gasifying agent

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluidization: Fluidisation

Implementation Method 2

contaminants always have a higher density than the coke to be converted in the fluidized bed reactor. Thus, a device known, in particular from grain mills, as a gravity or air classifier can be used

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity separation: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP2886190B1Method and device for the removal of impurities
Publication Date: 2020.07.15 SYNCRAFT ENG GMBH
  • EP2886190B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2886190B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2886190B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method and a device for removing contaminants from a gasifier for carbon-containing material, in particular a fluidized bed gasifier or fluidized bed reactor. To create a method and a device for reliable and safe long-term operation of a fluidized bed reactor that exhibits a significantly reduced susceptibility to contaminants contained in carbon-containing input material, it is proposed that the biomass and/or coke (K) be suspended as a fixed bed (12) in the fluidized bed reactor (6) in the inflow of the gasifier (V), and that contaminants (S) sink below the fluidized bed (12) essentially against the inflow of gasifier (V) into a chamber (16) used for collecting the contaminants (S).