Powder Hopper Pressurization With Dual-Tank Gas Backup
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pressurizing apparatuses for pulverized coal supply hoppers require significant time to reach target pressure when one of two buffer tanks becomes non-usable, and filter damage is difficult to detect, leading to operational inefficiencies and potential system defects.
Innovation Solution
A powder supply hopper pressurizing apparatus with a first and second buffer tank, a gas supply system, and a control unit that enables pressurization using either operable buffer tank and detects filter damage through differential pressure monitoring, ensuring the hopper reaches target pressure even with one tank malfunctioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If one of two buffer tanks becomes non-usable and pressurizing is performed by repeated supply and pressurizing cycles, then the hopper can be pressurized to target pressure, but much time is required and the gasifier must operate at lowered pressure and load
Solution Approach 1:
The gas supply system that normally serves only to supply conveyance gas for powder fuel is designed to also serve as a pressurizing gas supply system. When one buffer tank becomes non-usable, the control unit switches to using the gas supply system for pressurization, allowing the hopper to reach target pressure without repeated cycles and without requiring the gasifier to operate at lowered pressure and load
2Reliability
If multiple filters are used in the pressure nozzle and one or more filters are damaged, then pressurizing gas can still flow, but the damage is not easy to detect and replacement timing is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit continuously monitors the flow state of pressurizing gas through the filters by detecting pressure differential changes. When filter damage occurs, the monitoring system detects the change in flow characteristics and notifies the control unit, enabling timely detection of filter damage without requiring visual inspection or delayed replacement
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 apparatus efficiently pressurizes the hopper to target pressure and promptly detects filter damage, reducing downtime and maintaining system integrity.
Implementation Method 1
a first buffer tank in which pressurizing gas to be supplied to a powder supply hopper that supplies pressurized powder fuel is accumulated at a predetermined pressure
Implementation Method 2
a gas supply system connected to the powder supply hopper, to supply the pressurizing gas toward the powder fuel stored in the powder supply hopper
Implementation Method 3
the control unit controls the first buffer tank to pressurize the powder supply hopper to a first pressure and then controls the second buffer tank to pressurize the powder supply hopper to a second pressure
Implementation Method 4
a filter made of, for example, a sintered metal having more strength than a metal mesh is provided to face the pulverized coal stored in the pulverized coal supply hopper
Data Source
AI summary
A powder supply hopper pressurizing apparatus including a first buffer tank in which pressurizing gas to be supplied to a powder supply hopper is accumulated at a predetermined pressure, a second buffer tank, a lower part pressure adjustment nitrogen system connected to the powder supply hopper, to supply the gas toward powder fuel stored in the powder supply hopper when supplying the powder fuel to a burner, and a control unit that controls the first buffer tank to pressurize the powder supply hopper to a first pressure and then controls the second buffer tank to pressurize the powder supply hopper to a second pressure, and where the control unit determines that one of the first buffer tank or the second buffer tank is non-usable, the control unit pressurizes the powder supply hopper by use of the first or second buffer tank that is operable, and the gas supply system.