Substitute Fuel Sample Preparation for Consistent Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

The processing and analysis of inhomogeneous alternative fuels pose challenges in meeting quality requirements and emission limits due to fluctuating material compositions and varying calorific values, making it difficult to ensure consistent fuel quality and compliance with regulations.

Innovation Solution

A method involving comminution and homogenization of refuse-derived fuel, followed by grinding with a mineral or inorganic salt to a size of less than 100 µm, and pressing into a defined shape for reproducible analysis, utilizing techniques like terahertz spectroscopy and chemometric methods for precise chemical information extraction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If alternative fuels are used to increase energy content and reduce waste, then environmental benefits and energy recovery are improved, but fuel quality consistency and emission compliance become difficult to ensure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy recoveryVSAvoidfuel quality consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The waste fuel is divided into multiple size fractions through classification (e.g., 0-10mm, 10-20mm, 20-40mm particles). Each fraction is analyzed separately for composition and calorific value, then recombined in controlled proportions to produce a blended fuel with consistent quality parameters, resolving the contradiction between using diverse waste materials and maintaining fuel consistency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the particle size parameter through classification and the composition parameter through controlled blending of different waste fractions. By adjusting these parameters, the fuel achieves consistent calorific value and composition despite using variable waste materials, enabling both high energy recovery and reliable quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If waste separation and processing steps are increased to improve fuel quality, then fuel consistency and emission compliance are improved, but processing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefuel quality assuranceVSAvoidprocessing steps
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces complex mechanical separation systems with a classification-based approach using screens and classifiers to separate particles by size. This simpler mechanical system, combined with blending technology, achieves the same fuel quality assurance as more complex separation processes would provide, reducing device complexity while maintaining manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The fuel components are classified and prepared in advance according to their size and composition characteristics. This preliminary classification allows for controlled blending to achieve target fuel specifications before combustion, ensuring quality assurance without requiring complex real-time processing systems during fuel production.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Power

If particle size is reduced to improve combustion efficiency, then energy release and combustion completeness are improved, but dust generation and handling difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecombustion efficiencyVSAvoiddust generation
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies different quality characteristics to different particle size fractions. Smaller particles (0-10mm) that combust more efficiently are separated and can be handled differently from larger particles. This local quality approach allows optimization of combustion efficiency for fine particles while managing dust generation through targeted handling procedures for specific size fractions rather than all fuel uniformly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

By segmenting the fuel into size fractions, the invention enables selective combustion of finer particles that release energy more efficiently, while coarser particles can be managed separately to minimize dust generation issues. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by allowing different fractions to serve different functional purposes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 approach enables the production of representative samples for reliable analysis, improving the precision and accuracy of fuel quality assessment, ensuring compliance with emission limits and enhancing the consistency of fuel quality for combustion processes.

Implementation Method 1

the provided substitute fuel is then ground together with a mineral and/or an inorganic salt to a size of less than 100 μm

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical comminution: Abrasion

Implementation Method 2

Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIR) or X-ray fluorescence analysis (XRF) are primarily used to analyze the fuels

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNear-infrared spectroscopy: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 3

Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIR) or X-ray fluorescence analysis (XRF) are primarily used to analyze the fuels

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectX-ray fluorescence: Fluorescence

Implementation Method 4

utilizing techniques like terahertz spectroscopy and chemometric methods for precise chemical information extraction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTerahertz spectroscopy: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP3322983B1Method for processing substitute fuel and method for subsequently analyzing the substitute fuel
Publication Date: 2020.03.11 THYSSENKRUPP IND SOLUTIONS AG
  • EP3322983B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1c
  • EP3322983B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for processing substitute fuel for a subsequent analysis of the substitute fuel (1), wherein a. the substitute fuel (1) is provided in comminuted and homogenized form, b. the provided substitute fuel (1) is then ground together with a mineral (2) and/or an inorganic salt (3), and c. finally a sample (7) ready for analysis is produced from the ground mixture (5).