Liquid Metal Pyrolysis Reactor Heat Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pyrolysis devices face inefficiencies in heat management, continuous operation, and pollutant removal, particularly when handling waste with rubber, textiles, and plastics, leading to reduced heat efficiency, residual pollutants, and degraded gas quality due to insufficient quenching and incomplete pollutant removal.
Innovation Solution
A pyrolysis device utilizing a liquid metal reactor that generates heat by combusting char with air, allowing for continuous operation without separate heat sources, and using the heated liquid metal to pyrolyze biomass, coal, and waste plastic, while separating impurities based on specific gravity for effective maintenance and pollutant removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a separate quenching means or heat insulating means is added to improve heat efficiency, then heat efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the quenching function and heat insulation function into the liquid metal medium itself. The liquid metal serves as both the heat transfer medium and the quenching agent, while also providing thermal insulation during pyrolysis. This integration eliminates the need for separate quenching means or heat insulating means, resolving the contradiction between improving heat efficiency and reducing device complexity.
2Productivity
If a separate heat supply apparatus is added to maintain reactor operation, then continuous operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service heating system where the liquid metal is oxidized to generate heat internally within the reactor. This self-generated heat maintains the reactor temperature for continuous pyrolysis operation without requiring external heat supply apparatus. The system uses its own byproducts (liquid metal oxidation) to sustain operation, eliminating the need for separate heating equipment while maintaining continuous productivity.
3Productivity
If a separate apparatus is added to remove char, then char removal efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the char removal function with the existing liquid metal circulation system. The liquid metal acts as a reducing agent that chemically reacts with and removes char from the reactor. By integrating this chemical reduction process into the liquid metal circulation loop, the system achieves efficient char removal without requiring a separate mechanical removal apparatus, thus maintaining productivity while minimizing device complexity.
4Productivity
If direct firing method is used to incinerate waste, then treatment speed is improved, but harmful emissions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an anoxic (inert) atmosphere within the pyrolysis reactor to prevent complete combustion of waste materials. By maintaining oxygen deprivation during the thermal decomposition process, the system achieves rapid treatment speed through efficient pyrolysis while preventing the formation of harmful emissions such as dioxins and furans that would result from direct firing combustion. The liquid metal oxidation provides localized heat without introducing oxygen into the pyrolysis zone.
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 solution enables efficient heat transfer, continuous operation, and high-quality gas production by directly utilizing decomposition heat, accelerating mixing and heat transfer, and effectively removing impurities, thereby improving heat exchange efficiency and maintaining a stable liquid metal state.
Implementation Method 1
char generated from fuel injected into the reactor and part of the liquid metal are combusted by reacting with air introduced into a lower portion of the reactor through the air supply source
Implementation Method 2
liquid metal sprays jetted from the nozzle react with gases generated in the reactor to purify the gases
Implementation Method 3
a circulating pump connected to the reactor
Implementation Method 4
a nozzle coupled with the buffer tank and jetting the liquid metal within the buffer tank into the reactor
Implementation Method 5
an air supply source supplying air to the liquid metal within the reactor, wherein char generated from fuel injected into the reactor and part of the liquid metal are combusted by reacting with air introduced into a lower portion of the reactor through the air supply source
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a pyrolysis device using a liquid metal including: a hollow reactor in which the liquid metal is received; a circulating pump connected to the reactor; a buffer tank disposed on an upper portion of the reactor and receiving the liquid metal from the circulating pump; a nozzle coupled with the buffet tank and jetting the liquid metal within the buffer tank into the reactor; and an air supply source supplying air to the liquid metal within the reactor, wherein char generated from fuel injected into the reactor is combusted by reacting with air introduced into a lower portion” of the reactor through the air supply source, and liquid metal sprays jetted from the nozzle react with gases generated in the reactor to purify the gases.