Rotary Pyrolysis Chamber With Sweep Fluid to Prevent Blowback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing polymer waste treatment methods face inefficiencies in recovering hydrocarbons and managing water content, leading to increased complexity and environmental impact.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a hollow chamber with rotatable first and second chambers, a heating system, and a lance for feeding polymer waste, along with a sweep fluid injection mechanism to form a fluid flow, which facilitates the collection of a product comprising pyrolyzed polymer waste, minimizing blowback and simplifying aftertreatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a carrier gas is used to promote flow and flush pyrolyzed gas towards aftertreatment section, then flow velocity and gas transport are improved, but system complexity and water content management become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the carrier gas function by replacing it with a sweep fluid injection system that introduces fluid directly into the first chamber to create flow, eliminating the need for complex carrier gas management infrastructure while maintaining effective gas transport toward the aftertreatment section
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses pneumatic injection of sweep fluid into the first chamber to generate fluid flow and carry pyrolyzed gas toward the aftertreatment section, replacing mechanical carrier gas systems with a simpler fluid dynamics-based approach that reduces system complexity
2Quantity of substance
If polymer waste is pyrolyzed at elevated temperatures, then hydrocarbon production is improved, but water content increases and separation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the pyrolysis process by controlling temperature zones in different chambers and using sweep fluid injection to modify the chemical environment, thereby optimizing hydrocarbon yield while minimizing water content in the product stream
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts water from the pyrolysis product stream by using the sweep fluid to create flow conditions that facilitate water separation and removal in the aftertreatment section, reducing water content while preserving hydrocarbon production
3Productivity
If rotatable chambers are used for pyrolysis treatment, then processing efficiency is improved, but risk of blowback increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by introducing sweep fluid into the first chamber before pyrolyzed gas can blow back, creating a fluid flow that counteracts and prevents blowback while maintaining the benefits of rotatable chamber processing
Solution Approach 2:
The sweep fluid acts as an intermediary substance between the pyrolysis zone and the aftertreatment section, mediating the flow of pyrolyzed gas and preventing harmful blowback while maintaining processing efficiency through the rotatable chamber system
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
Enhances hydrocarbon recovery and reduces water content, improving the techno-economic performance and sustainability of polymer waste pyrolysis processes by avoiding blowback and simplifying the separation of sweep fluids.
Implementation Method 1
thermal decomposition of the polymer waste material at elevated temperatures in an inert atmosphere
Implementation Method 2
injecting at least one sweep fluid into the first chamber or into the first chamber and into the second chamber in order to form a fluid flow towards at least one gas outlet
Data Source
AI summary
According to an example aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system (1) comprising a hollow chamber (2) comprising a first chamber (3) and a second chamber (4), wherein the second chamber (4) is rotatable or the first chamber (3) and the second chamber (4) are rotatable, a heating system (19) configured to heat the second chamber (4) or to individually heat the first chamber (3) and the second chamber (4), a lance (5) having at least one feed outlet (6), wherein the lance (5) extends within the hollow chamber (2) at least through the first chamber (3), and wherein the system (1) is configured to feed polymer waste (7) into the second chamber (4) via the at least one feed outlet (6), at least one injector (21) capable of injecting at least one sweep fluid into the first chamber (3) or into the first chamber (3) and into the second chamber (4) in order to form a fluid flow towards at least one gas outlet (20) for collecting a product (13) comprising the at least one sweep fluid and a gas (22) from at least partially pyrolyzed polymer waste.