Combustion Kiln Pre-heating Chamber Moisture Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing combustion kiln systems for waste products face challenges in efficiently preheating waste to prevent chloride release and maintaining equipment integrity, while also managing NOx emissions and ash formation, particularly when processing municipal solid waste (MSW) or refuse-derived waste (RDF).

Innovation Solution

A combustion kiln system with a pre-heating chamber maintaining temperatures below 600 °C to remove moisture and prevent chloride release, a combustion chamber with temperature control and air flow management to regulate burn rate and NOx emissions, and a heat exchanger unit generating superheated fluid for steam engines, utilizing a transfer mechanism with movable members and air supply to optimize waste processing and energy conversion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If waste product is preheated at high temperature to accelerate moisture removal, then drying efficiency is improved, but chloride release increases which damages equipment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrying efficiencyVSAvoidchloride release
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The combustion chamber is divided into multiple zones with different temperature profiles. The preheating zone operates at lower temperatures (below 600°C) to remove moisture gradually, while subsequent zones operate at higher temperatures for complete combustion. This segmentation allows moisture removal without reaching temperatures that cause excessive chloride release, thus protecting equipment while maintaining drying efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary moisture removal in a dedicated preheating chamber before the waste enters the main combustion zone. By removing moisture in advance at controlled temperatures, the waste is prepared for efficient combustion without the harmful effects of high-temperature preheating, thus preventing chloride release while achieving effective drying.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Use of energy by moving object

If combustion temperature is increased to improve energy output, then energy conversion efficiency is improved, but NOx emissions increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy conversion efficiencyVSAvoidNOx emissions
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions of the combustion chamber are maintained at different temperature levels. The primary combustion zone operates at optimized temperatures for energy conversion, while secondary combustion zones operate at lower temperatures to minimize NOx formation. This local quality differentiation allows high energy output while controlling harmful emissions through spatial temperature variation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts combustion parameters including temperature, oxygen concentration, and residence time to optimize the balance between energy conversion efficiency and NOx emissions. By controlling the peak temperature duration and oxygen availability, the system achieves efficient energy conversion while limiting thermal NOx formation through parameter optimization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If waste feed rate is increased to improve processing capacity, then productivity is improved, but temperature control becomes difficult leading to incomplete combustion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing capacityVSAvoidtemperature control
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The combustion chamber is segmented into multiple zones along the waste travel path, with each zone optimized for specific combustion stages. This segmentation allows better temperature control at different locations, ensuring complete combustion even at higher feed rates by providing sufficient residence time in each zone while maintaining overall processing capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs dynamic control mechanisms including adjustable air supply rates, variable feed mechanisms, and controllable heat exchanger operations that adapt to changing waste feed rates. This dynamic adjustment capability maintains optimal temperature control and combustion efficiency across a range of processing capacities, preventing incomplete combustion even when throughput is increased.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 moisture in waste products to below 10 wt%, prevents chloride release, controls NOx emissions, and generates a superheated fluid for efficient energy conversion, ensuring equipment longevity and compliance with environmental regulations.

Implementation Method 1

a pre-heating chamber (7) which is supplied with the waste product from the waste product supply (3) and pre-heats the waste product

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal heating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

a main, combustion chamber (9) which receives pre-heated waste product from the pre-heating chamber (7) and in which the waste product is burnt to an ash residue

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Implementation Method 3

a heat exchanger unit (12) which provides a superheated fluid medium

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 4

a post-combustion chamber (11) which receives hot gas from the combustion chamber (9)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal heating: Heating

Data Source

PatentEP3482128B1Combustion kiln system and method of operating the same
Publication Date: 2023.10.25 CLEAN THERMODYNAMIC ENERGY CONVERSION
  • EP3482128B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3482128B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3482128B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A combustion kiln system, comprising : a pre-heating chamber which is supplied with waste product; and a combustion chamber which receives the waste product from the pre-heating chamber and in which the waste product is incinerated; wherein the pre-heating chamber heats the waste product to remove moisture from the waste product prior to transfer to the combustion chamber.