Reactor Vessel Single Convergence Plates Biomass Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Reactor vessels processing annual plant biomass experience excessive compaction, leading to stagnation, arching, and flow stoppages due to low bulk density and high liquid absorption, which increases mechanical loads and energy requirements for discharge, and reduces uniform flow and temperature distribution.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of single convergence plates on the sidewall of the reactor vessel, arranged in pairs at different elevations with angular offsets, reduces compaction by applying and releasing compression forces horizontally, minimizing arching and flow stoppages, and allowing for smaller motor and gearbox requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If biomass from annual plants is processed in a reactor vessel with conventional design, then the biomass can be treated to dissolve carbohydrates and lignin, but the biomass becomes highly compacted at the bottom of the vessel leading to stagnation and flow stoppages
Solution Approach 1:
The reactor vessel is segmented into multiple zones using horizontal flow distribution plates positioned at different elevations. Each plate divides the vessel into upper and lower flow regions, creating multiple flow paths that prevent uniform compaction. The plates are arranged with vertical spacing to distribute biomass flow horizontally across different sections, breaking up potential arching patterns and maintaining continuous flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow distribution plates create local variations in flow characteristics at different elevations and radial positions within the vessel. By positioning plates at specific heights and designing them with particular geometries, the system creates localized flow patterns that prevent stagnation in specific regions while maintaining overall continuous flow throughout the biomass column.
2Reliability
If high liquor content is used to process wood chips, then uniform chip flow is maintained, but the volume of liquor and chips to be pressurized and heated increases, reducing processing efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The reactor vessel is segmented into multiple zones using horizontal flow distribution plates positioned at different elevations. Each plate divides the vessel into upper and lower flow regions, creating multiple flow paths that prevent uniform compaction. The plates are arranged with vertical spacing to distribute biomass flow horizontally across different sections, breaking up potential arching patterns and maintaining continuous flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow distribution plates create local variations in flow characteristics at different elevations and radial positions within the vessel. By positioning plates at specific heights and designing them with particular geometries, the system creates localized flow patterns that prevent stagnation in specific regions while maintaining overall continuous flow throughout the biomass column.
3Power
If excessive compaction occurs at the bottom of the reactor vessel, then mechanical loads on the discharge device increase, but this increases energy requirements and may inhibit discharge device operation
Solution Approach 1:
The reactor vessel is segmented into multiple zones using horizontal flow distribution plates positioned at different elevations. Each plate divides the vessel into upper and lower flow regions, creating multiple flow paths that prevent uniform compaction. The plates are arranged with vertical spacing to distribute biomass flow horizontally across different sections, breaking up potential arching patterns and maintaining continuous flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow distribution plates create local variations in flow characteristics at different elevations and radial positions within the vessel. By positioning plates at specific heights and designing them with particular geometries, the system creates localized flow patterns that prevent stagnation in specific regions while maintaining overall continuous flow throughout the biomass column.
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 ensures uniform biomass flow and temperature distribution, reduces the risk of channeling and flow stoppages, and decreases the energy needed to operate discharge devices by minimizing compaction and torsional forces, allowing for efficient processing and output of biomass with uniform characteristics.
Implementation Method 1
reduces compaction by applying and releasing compression forces horizontally
Implementation Method 2
applying and releasing compression forces horizontally
Implementation Method 3
The biomass moves vertically down though the reactor vessel from the inlet to the outlet
Implementation Method 4
Hot water or steam may be injected into the vessel to add heat energy to the biomass in the vessel and achieve a desired temperature of the biomass in the vessel
Implementation Method 5
Biomass from annual plants absorbs substantially more liquid per dry weight unit than do wood chips
Data Source
AI summary
A reactor vessel including: an upper inlet and a bottom discharge; a generally vertically oriented sidewall between the upper inlet and bottom discharge, wherein the sidewall defines a perimeter of an interior flow passage in the vessel; a first pair of support plates arranged on opposite sides of the sidewall, wherein the first pair of support plates reduces a cross-sectional flow area of the flow passage in a first single direction of convergence, and a second pair of support plates arranged on opposite sides of the side wall, wherein the second pair of support plates reduces a cross-sectional flow are of the flow passage in a second single direction of convergence, wherein the second single direction is angularly offset to the first single direction, and the second pair of support plates is at a different elevation of the vessel than the first pair of support plates.