Refractory Tubular Casing for High-Temperature Solid Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat treatment devices for divided solids are inefficient and costly, particularly at high temperatures, due to limited surface contact and incomplete heating, which restricts applications such as torrefaction, pyrolysis, and gasification of plant waste or devolatilization of polluted soils.
Innovation Solution
A heat treatment device with a tubular casing made of refractory material and a helical transfer member formed from electrically conductive material, where the internal walls act as passive infrared radiation emitters and conductive/conductive heating surfaces, enhancing heating homogeneity and efficiency at high temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a helical transfer member with heating surface is used, then heating capability is improved, but the surface area available for heat exchange is limited due to dimensional constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from one-dimensional heating (helical surface only) to three-dimensional heating by lining the entire tubular casing interior with refractory material. This creates a volumetric heating environment where heat is supplied from all directions (top, bottom, sides) rather than just from the helical transfer member surface, effectively increasing the heat exchange surface area without increasing device dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The refractory material lining the tubular casing acts as a thermal energy storage medium that continuously radiates heat to the divided solids. The casing walls themselves become the heating source, eliminating the need for additional external heating devices and maintaining high temperatures throughout the treatment chamber.
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional heating methods are used, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but heating homogeneity and efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the helical transfer member made of electrically conductive material with the tubular casing lined with refractory material. This composite structure integrates direct contact heating (through the helical member) with radiant heating (from the refractory lining), achieving homogeneous heating while maintaining relatively simple manufacturing processes for each component.
3Power
If the helical part is dimensioned to pass required power, then heating capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tubular casing serves multiple functions: it contains the divided solids, provides structural support, and acts as a radiant heating surface through its refractory lining. This eliminates the need for separate heating devices and reduces overall device complexity while maintaining high heating power capability.
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 efficient and homogeneous high-temperature heat treatments up to 800°C, suitable for diverse applications like roasting, pyrolysis, and devolatilization, while maintaining a simple structure and low manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
the helical part of the transfer member is formed in its mass of a electrically conductive material and is connected to at least one electrical power source, such that said helical part further constitutes a means for heating the internal walls
Implementation Method 2
said internal walls themselves to constitute at least in part means for heating by radiation the mass of divided solids which progresses through the di te tubular envelope
Implementation Method 3
the tubular casing has internal walls made of refractory material, and the helical part of the transfer member... constitutes a means for heating the internal walls to a temperature sufficient for said internal walls themselves to constitute at least in part means for heating by radiation
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 5
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for the thermal processing of divided solids, that comprises at least one transfer member (17) having a longitudinal axis (X) and a helical portion (18) mounted so as to rotate about said longitudinal axis in a tubular housing (11), wherein said helical portion (18) has a heating surface defining a heating transfer means. According to the invention, the tubular housing (11) has inner walls (41, 42) made of a refractory material, and the helical portion (18) of the transfer member (17) further defines a means for heating the inner walls (41, 42) to a temperature sufficient so that the inner walls themselves define a means for heating by radiation the mass of divided solids flowing in said tubular housing (11).