Modular Waste Reactor Energy Recirculation for Lower Treatment Energy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing waste treatment systems are energy inefficient, costly, and pose environmental risks, with a need for improved methods to treat waste materials effectively and reduce contamination.

Innovation Solution

A waste treatment system utilizing a cylindrical reactor with integrated energy recirculation assemblies to heat and cool specific regions, facilitating thermal energy transfer and chemical reactions, and a bundle reactor configuration to enhance thermal response and efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If large reactors with heavy equipment are used for MSW treatment, then waste treatment capacity is improved, but energy consumption and operational costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewaste treatment capacityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The waste treatment system is divided into multiple small modular reactors instead of one large reactor. Each module can be independently operated and optimized, reducing the energy required per unit of waste treated while maintaining overall treatment capacity through parallel processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system utilizes the thermal energy generated during waste treatment processes to preheat incoming waste or maintain operational temperatures, creating a self-sustaining thermal environment that reduces external energy requirements for heating while maintaining high treatment capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If high energy and mechanical systems are used for MSW treatment, then waste treatment effectiveness is improved, but operational costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewaste treatment effectivenessVSAvoidoperational costs

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs precise control of thermal parameters (temperature, pressure, residence time) to optimize decomposition reactions. By carefully adjusting these parameters, effective waste treatment is achieved at lower energy consumption levels, reducing operational costs while maintaining treatment reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The modular reactor design allows for continuous operation with waste fed continuously through the system. This continuous processing eliminates idle time between batches and maintains optimal thermal conditions throughout, ensuring consistent treatment effectiveness while improving energy efficiency compared to intermittent high-energy processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Productivity

If existing waste treatment systems are used, then waste treatment is achieved, but environmental contamination and health risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewaste treatmentVSAvoidenvironmental contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system utilizes controlled phase transitions (solid to liquid to gas) of water and organic compounds during thermal processing. By carefully controlling heating rates and residence times, complete decomposition of harmful substances is achieved, converting potential contaminants into harmless water, carbon dioxide, and stable organic compounds, thereby reducing environmental contamination while maintaining treatment productivity.

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 system achieves efficient waste treatment with reduced energy consumption, producing value-added recycled materials while minimizing environmental impact.

Implementation Method 1

a first heating unit configured to heat a first region of the bundle reactor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

a first cooling unit configured to cool a second region of the first bundle reactor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCooling: Cooling

Implementation Method 3

a recirculation apparatus configured to facilitate circulation of vapor and liquid formed in the cylindrical body of the first waste treatment reactor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 4

a first energy recirculation assembly connected to the first bundle reactor and configured to recirculate thermal energy associated with the first bundle reactor during the waste treatment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal energy recirculation: Heat Exchanger

Data Source

PatentUS12492351B2Waste treatment system and method using energy recirculation techniques

Publication Date: 2025.12.09 DHF AMERICA LLC

AI summary

A system of treating waste materials (28) is provided, and includes a waste treatment reactor (10) configured to treat the waste materials. The waste treatment reactor (10) has a cylindrical body (12) having an inlet (14) to receive the waste materials, a waste chamber (26) to store the waste materials, and an outlet (16) configured to deliver treated waste materials out of the waste chamber. A bundle reactor (38) has the waste treatment reactor and performs a waste treatment for the waste materials stored in the waste chamber. An energy recirculation assembly (40) is connected to the bundle reactor and recirculates thermal energy associated with the bundle reactor during the waste treatment. The energy recirculation assembly (40) has a heating unit (42) to heat a first region of the bundle reactor, and a cooling unit (44) to cool a second region of the bundle reactor.