Laser Pyrolysis of Tires and Bitumen Without Heat Carriers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pyrolysis processes for materials like tires and bitumen face inefficiencies in energy transfer, equipment complexity, and difficulties in controlling reaction temperatures and separating reaction products, particularly in achieving precise thermal energy management and compact, mobile equipment designs.
Innovation Solution
The method employs laser radiation to heat raw materials to pyrolysis activation temperatures, allowing for precise control of thermal energy transfer and eliminating the need for heat carriers, with the laser radiation focused on a localized area and moved progressively across the material surface, enabling efficient pyrolysis and separation of gaseous, liquid, and solid phases without pre-shredding the material.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If heat carriers (spherical bodies) are used to transfer thermal energy to the material mass, then thermal energy transfer efficiency is improved, but equipment complexity increases due to the need for carrier heating ovens, transport circuits, inlets/outlets in vacuum conditions, and carrier cleaning systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the heat carrier system from the pyrolysis process. Instead of using spherical heat carriers that require heating ovens, transport circuits, and cleaning systems, the invention applies thermal energy directly to the material mass through a heating element in contact with the material, thereby removing the complex carrier infrastructure while maintaining effective heat transfer
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a direct thermal contact mechanism as an intermediary between the heat source and material mass. A heating element is placed in direct contact with the material mass, serving as a simple yet effective mediator for thermal energy transfer, replacing the complex multi-component heat carrier system
2Use of energy by moving object
If the material is chopped to pre-established granulometry to ensure effective thermal energy transfer from carriers, then thermal energy transfer efficiency is improved, but the preprocessing complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the requirement for material chopping by removing the heat carrier system that necessitated granulometry control. By using direct thermal contact heating, the process can handle material in various forms without requiring preprocessing to specific particle sizes, thereby simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing energy consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the heating method from indirect carrier-based heating to direct contact heating, which fundamentally alters the thermal energy transfer mechanism. This parameter change eliminates the need for granulometry control, allowing flexible material processing without preprocessing
3Productivity
If heat carriers are used in a reactor working in absence of oxygen and vacuum conditions, then pyrolysis reaction efficiency is improved, but the need for specific inlets and outlets for heat carrier increases equipment complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the heat carrier system from the vacuum reactor environment, eliminating the need for complex inlets and outlets for carrier introduction and removal. Direct contact heating elements are integrated into the reactor chamber, allowing pyrolysis to proceed efficiently in vacuum conditions without the structural complexity of carrier handling systems
4Use of energy by moving object
If heat carriers are used to heat the material mass, then thermal energy transfer is improved, but the cleaning of heat carrier residues from reaction ashes increases operational complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the heat carrier system entirely, removing the source of residue contamination. By using direct contact heating elements that do not circulate through the reaction zone, there are no carrier residues to clean, significantly simplifying operational procedures and maintenance requirements
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
This approach reduces emissions, enhances energy management, simplifies equipment design, and allows for more controlled and efficient pyrolysis, producing high-value Syngas, TAR, and CHAR products while maintaining reaction product temperatures for effective separation and storage.
Implementation Method 1
the heating of the pyrolysis process to the activation temperature is obtained by irradiation of the raw material with laser radiation
Implementation Method 2
heating said material in said reactor at the temperatures needed for establishing the pyrolysis process; collecting the final products of the pyrolysis reaction
Implementation Method 3
heating said material in said reactor at the temperatures needed for establishing the pyrolysis process; separating one from another the gaseous, liquid and solid phases of the reaction products
Implementation Method 4
the separation of the reaction products having the different gaseous, liquid and solid phases, takes place by condensation of the mixture of ablation gas by means of a cooling step of said gas mixture at a pre-established temperature
Data Source
AI summary
A method for the pyrolysis of raw materials, especially raw materials deriving from tires or bitumen, includes the steps of feeding the material to be subjected to the pyrolysis process to a reactor; heating the material in the reactor at a temperature needed to establish the pyrolysis process; collecting the final products of the pyrolysis reaction; separating the gaseous, liquid and solid phases of the reaction products; and storing, for further treatment, the reaction products separate one from another. The heating in the pyrolysis process to the activation temperature is obtained by irradiating the raw material with laser radiation, concentrated or focused on a localized area of a pre-established surface area on the mass of raw material of the focusing area, and progressively moved along the entire surface of the mass of raw material to activate the pyrolytic reaction on all the mass of raw material.