Vertical Thermal Reactor for Continuous Scrap Tire Pyrolysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing recycling methods for scrap tires and waste plastics in rotating tubular reactors are inefficient due to the need for motor-driven conveying and mixing devices, and lack of effective pyrolysis processes for continuous thermolytic recycling without additional equipment.
Innovation Solution
A vertically arranged thermal reactor with a central extraction pipe and radially arranged offset heating plates for homogeneous mixing and heating, allowing continuous thermolytic recycling of scrap tires, vulcanization residues, and waste plastics into short-chain hydrocarbon compounds and solids, without motor-driven or pneumatic devices, and featuring a polycondensation unit for vaporized hydrocarbon extraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If motor-driven rotary conveying and mixing devices are used in rotating tubular reactors, then continuous recycling of scrap tires and waste plastics can be achieved, but device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The granules themselves perform the mixing function by moving and tumbling through the vertical reactor under gravity, eliminating the need for external mixing devices. The material serves its own mixing purpose through its natural flow behavior in the vertical configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces motor-driven mechanical conveying and mixing systems with a gravity-based vertical flow system. The mechanical complexity of rotary devices is substituted by the simpler vertical arrangement where granules move downward under gravity, achieving continuous processing without motors or complex mechanisms.
2Productivity
If motor-driven rotary conveying and mixing devices are used, then continuous recycling can be achieved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the gravitational potential energy of the granules themselves to drive the process, rather than requiring external motor-driven energy input. The granules' own weight provides the driving force for movement and mixing through the reactor.
Solution Approach 2:
External mechanical energy input from motors is replaced by gravitational energy. The vertical configuration allows gravity to naturally drive the material flow and mixing process, eliminating the need for continuous motor-driven energy consumption.
3Temperature
If conventional heating methods are used, then heating can be achieved, but homogeneous mixing and heating of materials with poor thermal conductivity is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system is divided into multiple heating zones along the vertical reactor, with heating plates positioned at different levels. This segmentation allows different regions to be heated independently, ensuring uniform temperature distribution throughout the granule mass despite poor thermal conductivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from conventional single-point or single-plane heating to multi-level vertical heating. By distributing heating plates at multiple heights in the vertical dimension, the system achieves homogeneous heating throughout the granule column, overcoming the limitation of poor thermal conductivity in the horizontal direction.
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
Enables continuous recycling with improved thermal conductivity and efficient separation of thermolysis products into valuable raw materials, allowing for energy self-sufficiency and flexible processing of various materials with easy maintenance and temperature control.
Implementation Method 1
a multiplicity of radially arranged heating plates are disposed on the lateral surface of the reactor in its central heating-zone portion, the heating plates being arranged at the heating levels
Implementation Method 2
the substances pass through the vertical reactor from top to bottom in an oxygen-deficient atmosphere of sub-atmospheric pressure and are broken down thermally into short-chain, vaporous hydrocarbon compounds and into solids (coke)
Implementation Method 3
The vaporized hydrocarbon compounds in the central heating-zone portion are extracted and subsequently condensed out to oil compounds of different compositions and to permant gas
Implementation Method 4
the granules pass gravimetrically through a vertical, multi-stage pyrolysis reactor from top to bottom
Data Source
AI summary
A thermal reactor for the continuous thermolytic recycling of granules of scrap tires, vulcanization residues and waste plastics, and of similar products features a feed portion, a central heating-zone portion and a discharge portion arranged vertically one below the other. An extraction pipe is located centrally in the central heating-zone portion of the thermal reactor, the lateral surface of the extraction pipe featuring numerous holes and/or slits for withdrawal of the vaporized short-chain hydrocarbon compounds being formed, and the extraction pipe having conical bells pushed onto it one above the other. A device withdraws the vaporized hydrocarbon compounds from the extraction pipe. Radially arranged heating plates are provided on the lateral surface of the reactor in its central heating-zone portion, the heating plates being arranged at the heating levels, which lie one above the other, such that the plates are mutually offset.