Liquid Ring Compressor Purification in Pyrolysis Gas Circulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The production of pyrolysis liquid fuel from bio-based raw materials is hindered by high moisture content and impurities, which reduce heat value and increase production costs, and conventional compressors require pure gas for operation, complicating the pyrolysis process.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus utilizing a liquid ring compressor that purifies and cools the circulation gas by using pyrolysis liquid as the working liquid, allowing for the removal of impurities and reducing moisture content, thereby improving gas quality and eliminating the need for separate purification devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional compressor is used to circulate gas in the pyrolysis process, then gas circulation is achieved, but the compressor requires very pure gas which complicates the process and increases costs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompressor operation reliabilityVSAvoidgas purification system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the gas circulation and gas purification functions into a single liquid ring compressor unit. The circulation gas flows through the liquid layer in the compressor, achieving both compression and purification simultaneously, thereby eliminating the need for separate purification devices and reducing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The liquid ring compressor performs multiple functions: it compresses the circulation gas, cools the gas through contact with the liquid layer, and purifies the gas by removing impurities and moisture. This multi-functional approach replaces what would traditionally require multiple separate devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Quantity of substance

If drying the raw material is performed to reduce moisture in pyrolysis liquid, then moisture content is reduced, but production costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemoisture content in pyrolysis liquidVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of moisture removal from pre-processing (drying raw material at high cost) to post-processing (purification during gas circulation). The liquid ring compressor removes moisture from the circulation gas, which prevents moisture from entering the pyrolysis liquid, achieving moisture reduction without expensive drying operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the circulation gas purification process to serve the dual purpose of protecting the compressor and reducing moisture in the final product. The pyrolysis liquid itself is used as the cooling and purification medium in the liquid ring compressor, creating a self-sufficient system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If the circulation gas is not purified, then the pyrolysis process can proceed without additional equipment, but impurities and aerosol components cause device clogging and reduce reliability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepurification equipmentVSAvoiddevice reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the gas purification function with the gas circulation function in a single liquid ring compressor. The circulation gas passes through the liquid layer which traps aerosol components and impurities, preventing clogging of downstream devices while maintaining system simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 enhances the reliability and efficiency of the pyrolysis process by purifying the circulation gas, reducing device clogging risks, and lowering production costs by integrating gas purification and cooling within the liquid ring compressor system, resulting in improved pyrolysis liquid quality and reduced moisture content.

Implementation Method 1

the circulation gas is conducted by a liquid ring compressor into the pyrolysis reactor and purified before being conducted into the pyrolysis reactor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

the liquid ring compressor can also be used at least partially to cool the circulation gas

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

The gaseous pyrolysis product is condensed in a condenser into a pyrolysis liquid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Implementation Method 4

the pyrolysis liquid is formed by pyrolysis from a raw material by forming, in a pyrolysis reactor, a gaseous pyrolysis product by pyrolysis

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPyrolysis: Pyrolysis

Data Source

PatentEP2631280B1Method and apparatus for producing a pyrolysis liquid
Publication Date: 2016.12.07 TEKNOLOGIAN TUTKIMUSKESKUS VTT OY
  • EP2631280B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for producing a pyrolysis liquid, wherein the pyrolysis liquid is formed by means of pyrolysis from a raw material by forming, in a pyrolysis reactor, a gaseous pyrolysis product by pyrolysis and condensing it in a condenser into a pyrolysis liquid, and feeding circulation gas into the pyrolysis reactor. According to the invention, the circulation gas is conducted by means of a liquid ring compressor into the pyrolysis reactor and purified before being conducted into the pyrolysis reactor, and the pyrolysis liquid is used as the liquid layer in the liquid ring compressor. Further, the invention relates to a corresponding apparatus.