Syngas Combustion Apparatus with Segmented Chambers for High DRE

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Solution Overview

Problem

The heterogeneity and variability in solid waste feedstock during gasification lead to syngas with inconsistent chemical composition, calorific value, and pollutant concentrations, making it challenging to achieve high destruction rate efficiency (DRE) in traditional combustion systems, which results in inefficient pollutant removal and increased downstream clean-up processes.

Innovation Solution

A multi-chamber apparatus with a cylindrical vessel configuration, including a first chamber for dilution with a pressurized gas, an ignition chamber for ignition, and an expanding conical combustion chamber with a retention chamber for extended residence time, optimized for fluid communication and integrated with a gasifier and heat recovery system to maximize DRE and minimize pollutant emissions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional afterburners and secondary combustion chambers are used for syngas combustion, then the device complexity is reduced, but the destruction rate efficiency (DRE) of pollutants is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedestruction rate efficiencyVSAvoidcombustion chamber configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The combustion system is divided into multiple chambers: a first combustion chamber for primary combustion and a second combustion chamber for secondary combustion and pollutant destruction. This segmentation allows each chamber to be optimized for its specific function, achieving high DRE for pollutants while managing the complexity through modular design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a vertical arrangement of combustion chambers with a heat exchanger positioned between them, adding a spatial dimension to the combustion process. This three-dimensional configuration enables simultaneous heat recovery and pollutant destruction, improving DRE without excessive complexity increase

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Use of energy by moving object

If high temperature gasification is applied to solid waste, then the calorific value of syngas is improved, but the variability in chemical composition and pollutant concentrations increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecalorific valueVSAvoidchemical composition consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs adjustable combustion parameters including excess air ratios, residence times, and temperature profiles in different chambers to compensate for feedstock variability. By dynamically optimizing these parameters, the system maintains high calorific value while managing composition variability and pollutant formation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates monitoring and control mechanisms to adjust combustion conditions based on syngas composition and pollutant levels. This feedback control enables maintenance of optimal calorific value while compensating for variations in solid waste feedstock composition

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If simple one-chamber combustion design is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the efficiency of handling volatile hydrocarbon gases is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecombustion efficiencyVSAvoidcombustion chamber structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The combustion process is segmented into primary combustion in the first chamber and secondary combustion with pollutant destruction in the second chamber. This segmentation improves combustion efficiency for volatile hydrocarbons while achieving high DRE, with complexity managed through functional modularity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Reliability

If extended residence time is provided for pollutant destruction, then the destruction rate efficiency is improved, but the volume of combustion chamber required increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedestruction rate efficiencyVSAvoidcombustion chamber volume
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes thermal phase transitions and chemical reaction zones within the combustion chambers to achieve extended effective residence time for pollutant destruction without proportionally increasing chamber volume. The concentrated heat zones and controlled flow patterns maximize destruction efficiency within compact dimensions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #36Phase transitions

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 apparatus effectively combusts syngas with high DRE, reducing organic contaminants and NOx formation, while the heat recovery system enhances energy efficiency and reduces downstream processing complexities.

Implementation Method 1

Gasification of carbonaceous materials involves a thermal reaction between the carbonaceous material, oxygen and steam at temperatures in excess of 400 °C to generate a mixture of low weight hydrocarbons

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGasification:

Implementation Method 2

Gasification of carbonaceous materials involves a thermal reaction between the carbonaceous material, oxygen and steam

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal reaction:

Implementation Method 3

firing and combustion of syngas produced from pyrolysis and gasification

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Implementation Method 4

heat recovery system enhances energy efficiency

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP3074696B1Apparatus for firing and combustion of syngas
Publication Date: 2021.04.21 ENTECH - RENEWABLE ENERGY SOLUTIONS
  • EP3074696B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3074696B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

An apparatus for firing and combusting syngas is described. The apparatus comprises a vessel having a first chamber with an inlet for receiving syngas from a gasifier, an ignition chamber provided with an auxiliary burner to ignite the diluted syngas; a combustion chamber provided with an inlet for introducing a combustion agent for combusting the ignited syngas and a retention chamber for retaining the resulting combustion products for a predetermined residence period, the retention chamber being provided with an outlet for withdrawing said combustion products. The first chamber is configured to receive a diluent fluid to dilute the syngas to a predetermined composition below a lower explosive limit (LEL). Preferably the diluent fluid is an oxygen-containing gas.