Split-Flow Filter for Pyrolysis Oil Clogging Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Pyrolysis oil often contains solid matter and highly viscous phases that can cause issues such as clogging in oil-burners and other equipment, due to its composition including bed material, coke particles, and raw materials from the pyrolysis process.

Innovation Solution

A split-flow filter with a filter element containing apertures is used to effectively filter out solid matter and highly viscous phases, featuring a receiving channel for the pyrolysis oil flow, a main discharge channel for unfiltered oil, and a filtrate channel for filtered oil, which can be connected to a condenser unit or used for transferring filtered oil.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If pyrolysis oil is used directly without filtering, then the production process is simple and fast, but solid matter and highly viscous phases cause clogging in oil-burners and equipment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of clogging in oil-burnersVSAvoidfiltering system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The filter divides the pyrolysis oil flow into two separate paths: a first path for unfiltered oil that bypasses the filter element, and a second path for filtered oil that passes through the filter element. This segmentation allows the system to maintain simplicity while effectively removing solid matter and highly viscous phases that cause clogging.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The filter applies partial filtering by allowing a portion of the pyrolysis oil to bypass the filter element while another portion is filtered. This partial action is sufficient to prevent clogging in oil-burners without requiring complete filtration of the entire flow, thus balancing reliability with device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Reliability

If a filter is added to remove solid matter and highly viscous phases, then equipment reliability improves, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveequipment operation stabilityVSAvoidfilter manufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The filter element is designed with multiple apertures that segment the filtering function into numerous small openings, allowing solid matter and highly viscous phases to be removed effectively. This segmented approach achieves reliable equipment operation while using a relatively simple filter structure that is easier to manufacture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The filter element utilizes a porous structure with multiple apertures to achieve effective filtration. This porous material approach provides reliable equipment operation by removing harmful particles while maintaining a simple, manufacturable filter design that does not require complex manufacturing processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

3Reliability

If all pyrolysis oil is filtered through the filter element, then filtration effectiveness is maximized, but the flow rate and productivity decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiltration effectivenessVSAvoidpyrolysis oil flow rate

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The filter segments the pyrolysis oil flow into two parallel paths: one path bypasses the filter element to maintain high flow rate and productivity, while the other path passes through the filter element to achieve effective filtration. This segmentation allows both filtration effectiveness and productivity to be maintained simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The filter applies partial filtering to only a portion of the pyrolysis oil flow rather than filtering the entire flow. This partial action is sufficient to achieve the required filtration effectiveness for preventing clogging, while allowing the majority of the oil to pass through at full flow rate, thus maintaining productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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 filter arrangement effectively separates solid matter and highly viscous phases from pyrolysis oil, preventing clogging and ensuring smooth operation in pyrolysis plants and during transportation.

Implementation Method 1

a filter element, comprising plurality of apertures extending through the filter element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS10358607B2Filter and filtering arrangement

Publication Date: 2019.07.23 VALMET TECH OY

AI summary

A filter for filtering pyrolysis oil and an arrangement. The filter is a split-flow filter (1, 1a, 1b), comprising a filter element (12), comprising plurality of apertures (17) extending through the filter element (12), a receiving channel (13) for receiving a flow (F) of pyrolysis oil to be filtered and for supplying said flow on first side (A) of the filter element (12), a main discharge channel (14) arranged on the first side (A) of the filter element (12) for discharging the portion of the flow (F) of pyrolysis oil having not penetrated through the filter element (12), and a filtrate channel (15) arranged on second side (B) of the filter element (12) for discharging the portion of the flow (F) of pyrolysis oil having penetrated through the filter element (12).