Supercritical Gasification Reactor with Thermal Gradient Salt Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current gasification processes in supercritical water medium face challenges with the precipitation of inorganic salts, leading to reactor clogging and inefficient salt separation, often requiring additional chemical agents or filtration steps.
Innovation Solution
A reactor design with a temperature gradient allowing inorganic salts to precipitate in the upper part and resolubilize in the cooler lower part, enabling easy separation and evacuation as a liquid brine without the need for upstream filtration or chemical precipitating agents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If inorganic salts are removed from the effluent upstream of the reactor using filters, then salt precipitation in the reactor is reduced, but filter maintenance and replacement are required, increasing process costs and adding maintenance steps
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful effect of salt precipitation is extracted and isolated to a specific location (the lower part of the reactor) where it can be managed separately. The salts are allowed to precipitate but are confined to a designated zone with a liquid outlet, preventing them from blocking the reactor inlet/outlet while eliminating the need for upstream filtration systems.
Solution Approach 2:
A thermal gradient is introduced as an intermediary mechanism between the gasification zone and the salt removal system. The temperature gradient (from 400-800°C in the upper part to below 374°C in the lower part) acts as a mediator that controls salt solubility and precipitation, enabling salt separation without mechanical filters.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If chemical precipitation agents are added to remove inorganic salts, then salt removal efficiency is improved, but additional separation and recycling steps are required downstream, increasing process complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the inherent thermal properties of water and salts to achieve self-separation. The temperature gradient automatically causes salts to precipitate in the cooler lower region and allows for their removal through a liquid outlet, without requiring external chemical agents or additional separation steps. The system serves itself by utilizing the natural solubility-temperature relationship.
Solution Approach 2:
The solubility parameter of inorganic salts is changed by varying the temperature. In the upper part at 400-800°C, salts remain dissolved; in the lower part below 374°C, salts precipitate. This parameter change enables efficient salt removal without chemical additives and simplifies downstream processing.
3Productivity
If the entire reactor is maintained at high temperature for gasification, then organic matter conversion is efficient, but inorganic salts precipitate and can block reactor inlet and outlet
Solution Approach 1:
The reactor is segmented into two distinct zones: an upper gasification zone (400-800°C) and a lower salt removal zone (below 374°C). This segmentation allows the upper zone to maintain high temperature for efficient organic matter conversion while the lower zone provides a cooler environment for salt precipitation and removal, preventing reactor blockage.
Solution Approach 2:
Different temperature conditions are applied to different parts of the reactor based on local requirements. The upper part maintains high temperature for gasification, while the lower part is cooled to promote salt precipitation. This local quality approach optimizes both gasification efficiency and salt removal without compromising either function.
4Reliability
If upstream filtration is used to remove inorganic salts, then reactor clogging is prevented, but additional equipment and maintenance requirements are introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful precipitation of inorganic salts is converted into a beneficial separation mechanism. Instead of preventing precipitation, the system utilizes it by creating a temperature gradient that causes salts to precipitate in the lower zone where they can be easily removed through a liquid outlet, transforming a potential problem into an effective salt removal strategy.
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 achieves a 90% reduction in salt content and efficient conversion of organic matter into combustible gases, such as CO and H2, while preventing reactor blockage and simplifying the process by eliminating the need for additional reagents or filtration.
Implementation Method 1
heating means configured to heat an upper part of the reactor to a temperature ranging from 400°C to 800°C, so as to have water in the supercritical state
Implementation Method 2
transform the organic matter of the aqueous effluent into gas
Implementation Method 3
cooling means, arranged around the main body of the reactor, configured to cool a lower part of the reactor, the lower part of the reactor being cooled according to a thermal gradient ranging from a first temperature less than or equal to that of the upper part of the reactor and greater than or equal to 374°C to a second temperature less than 374°C
Implementation Method 4
solubilize the mineral matter
Implementation Method 5
pressure regulating means for putting the reactor at a pressure greater than or equal to 22.1 MPa
Implementation Method 6
the salts, in solid form, can block the reactor inlet and/or outlet
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
A device for gasifying an aqueous effluent containing organic matter and mineral matter in a supercritical medium, the device comprising: - a reactor (100) comprising: ∘ an upper part (110), provided with an inlet for the aqueous effluent, ∘ a lower part (120) comprising an upper zone in contact with the upper part (110) provided with an outlet for a water/gas mixture (121), and a lower zone, provided with a liquid outlet (122), - heating means (112) for heating the upper part (110) of the reactor (100) to a temperature ranging from 400°C to 800°C, so as to gasify the organic matter, - cooling means (123) for cooling the lower zone of the reactor (100) to a temperature below 374°C, so as to solubilize the mineral matter in the form of brine, - pressure regulation means for setting the reactor at a pressure greater than 22.1 MPa.