Continuous Feeding Device for Waste Polymer Pyrolysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for treating waste flexible polymer materials like rubber and plastic through high-temperature pyrolysis face challenges in continuous feeding due to material densification, high energy consumption, and device losses, particularly in sealing and preheating, which restrict the efficiency and application of the technology.

Innovation Solution

A continuous feeding device comprising a feeding apparatus, material dispersion apparatus, and screw feeder that compresses, cuts, and disperses waste flexible polymer materials, utilizing pyrolysis oil-gas for preheating and self-lubrication, allowing for continuous sealing and efficient heat transfer, reducing energy consumption and device losses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If waste flexible polymer material is directly crushed by mechanical force at the initial stage, then the material can be dispersed, but energy consumption increases and the feed end becomes difficult to seal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial dispersionVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-heating the waste flexible polymer material before mechanical crushing. The material is heated to a temperature where it becomes softer and more pliable, which facilitates subsequent mechanical dispersion while reducing the energy required for crushing. This pre-heating step transforms the material properties beforehand, making the overall process more energy-efficient.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the temperature parameter of the material before mechanical processing. By heating the waste flexible polymer material to an optimal temperature range, the material's physical properties change - it becomes softer and easier to disperse mechanically. This parameter change reduces the mechanical energy needed for crushing and improves sealing at the feed end.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Temperature

If a separate preheating unit is used to preheat the material, then the material can be preheated, but energy consumption increases and device loss increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial preheatingVSAvoidenergy loss
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the preheating function with the existing pyrolysis system by utilizing pyrolysis oil-gas that would otherwise be wasted. The oil-gas generated during pyrolysis is redirected to preheat the feed material, combining two functions (pyrolysis and preheating) into an integrated system. This eliminates the need for a separate preheating unit and reduces overall energy loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful waste heat from pyrolysis oil-gas into a beneficial preheating source. The hot oil-gas that would normally be discarded or require additional energy to manage is instead utilized to preheat the incoming material, transforming a waste stream into a useful energy source and reducing total energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Quantity of substance

If waste flexible polymer material is compressed, then the material becomes denser, but it becomes more difficult to disperse and feed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial densityVSAvoidmaterial dispersion
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary heating before compression and dispersion. By pre-heating the material first, it becomes softer and more pliable, which allows for easier compression into dense forms that can subsequently be more easily dispersed. The pre-heating prepares the material in advance, making subsequent processing steps more effective.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the temperature parameter to alter the material's physical properties before compression. Heating the material changes its viscosity and flexibility, allowing it to be compressed into dense forms that maintain dispersibility. The temperature parameter adjustment enables the material to achieve both density and ease of dispersion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 efficient pyrolysis of waste flexible polymer materials by maximizing heat utilization, improving pyrolysis efficiency, reducing energy consumption, and enhancing device sealing, thereby overcoming previous limitations in treating waste rubber and plastic.

Implementation Method 1

a pyrolysis oil gas is used for preheating and self-lubricating the device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

the high-temperature oil-gas of the pyrolysis machine passes through the subsequent feeding device to enter into the cutting and dispersing section with counter-current

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCounter-current heat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 3

as heat of the oil-gas is released in this section, part of the oil-gas condenses into oil fluid and returns to the subsequent feeding device, which achieves self-lubrication of the device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Implementation Method 4

the condensed oil fluid is utilized to carry out self-lubrication for the subsequent feeding device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLubrication: Lubrication

Implementation Method 5

The waste flexible polymer material is pre-treated during compression, cutting and dispersion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical compression: Compression

Implementation Method 6

cut and disperse it after compression. During the dispersing process, the material is pre-heated

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical cutting: Fracture Mechanics

Implementation Method 7

the device used comprises a feeding apparatus, a material dispersion apparatus and a screw feeder

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScrew conveyance: Screw

Data Source

PatentEP3690007B1Continuous feeding device for waste flexible polymer material
Publication Date: 2022.05.18 NIUTECH ENVIRONMENT TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
  • EP3690007B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3690007B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3690007B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The present invention relates to the technical field of waste pyrolysis, and specifically relates to a continuous feeding process and device for waste flexible polymer material. The process continuously feeds waste flexible polymer material into a subsequent pyrolysis apparatus following compression, cutting and dispersion; the waste flexible polymer material is pre-treated during compression, cutting and dispersion to achieve continuous sealing feeding, while a pyrolysis oil gas is used for preheating and self-lubricating the device; the device used comprises a feeding apparatus, a material dispersion apparatus and a screw feeder; the material is compressed, cut and dispersed in the feeding apparatus and the material dispersion apparatus, and then falls into the screw feeder, being preheated and thermally sealed by means of the pyrolysis oil-gas in the screw feeder; by using such a process, waste flexible polymer material from various sources may be continuously fed for pyrolysis, fully using the temperature of an oil-gas generated in a pyrolysis machine for preheating and device lubrication, thereby improving the efficiency of pyrolysis and reducing the loss and energy consumption of the device.