Devices and Methods for a Pyrolysis and Gasification System for Biomass Feedstock
A pyrolysis and gasification system and method convert a biomass feed stock to bio-char and synthesis gas. In one embodiment, the pyrolysis and gasification system includes a reactor for producing a synthesis gas and bio-char from a biomass feedstock. The system includes a flow measurement device and an air distribution system, which provides a fluidized bed in the reactor. The system also includes a cyclone assembly. The cyclone assembly removes the bio-char from the synthesis gas.
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1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the field of biomass conversion and more specifically to the field of devices and methods facilitating pyrolysis and gasification of biomass feedstock.
2. Background of the Invention
Methods for using energy from biomass have conventionally included combustion of the biomass with the heat energy used to produce steam. The steam may then be used to produce electric power. Drawbacks to such conventional methods include slagging and fouling that occur with biomass fuels containing low eutectic point (i.e., melting point) ash. For instance, the ash melts at relatively low temperatures and sticks to surfaces, which may impact the sustainability of the thermal conversion system. Developments have included using bag filters to remove char by filtration. For such developments, the gas temperature is cooled to a temperature at which the temperature of the gas is below the temperature that may result in damage to the bag filter media. Drawbacks to such developments include inefficiencies with the performance of the bag filter for removing the smaller particulates. Additional drawbacks include inefficient methods for measuring the feed and removing char. Further drawbacks include inefficient methods for fluidizing the bed. For instance, conventional methods use bubble caps or orifice plates. However, drawbacks to such conventional methods include pressure drop.
Consequently, there is a need for improved methods and devices for conversion of biomass.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF SOME OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTSThese and other needs in the art are addressed in one embodiment by an air distribution system for a reactor, wherein bed materials are disposed in the reactor. The air distribution system includes an air distribution plate. In addition, the air distribution system has a plurality of air distributors. The plurality of air distributors are attached to the air distribution plate. Each of the air distributors has a base and a distribution arm. The distribution arm has distributor orifices. The distribution arm is disposed about parallel to the air distribution plate. Moreover, the distribution arm has a bottom side. The distributor orifices are disposed on the bottom side of the distribution arm.
These and other needs in the art are addressed in another embodiment by a flow measurement device adapted for measuring biomass flow. The flow measurement device includes a plurality of feed rollers. Each of the feed rollers is rotatable. In addition, each feed roller has a roller shaft and roller blades. The flow measurement device is calibrated to allow determination of the biomass flow from rotation of the feed rollers.
In addition, these and other needs in the art are addressed in an embodiment by a cyclone assembly for removing char from a gas produced from a biomass feedstock. The cyclone assembly includes a first cyclone. The first cyclone is a low energy cyclone. The cyclone assembly also includes a second cyclone. The second cyclone is a high efficiency cyclone. The first cyclone is disposed to receive the gas. In addition, the gas exiting the first cyclone flows to the second cyclone.
The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter that form the subject of the claims of the invention It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and the specific embodiments disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other embodiments for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent embodiments do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.
For a detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings in which:
As further shown in
A contact point 200 is disposed between each metering device ridge 35. It is to be understood that contact point 200 is the space between each metering device ridge 35. The metering device ridges 35 have a spacing between each other to provide contact points 200 with a sufficient diameter to allow metering device ridges (i.e., metering device ridge 35′) of the adjacent metering device (i.e., metering device 10′) to be disposed therein. Metering device body 30 is rotatable. In embodiments, metering device body 30 rotates with rotation of the attached feed roller 15. In the embodiment of flow measurement device 5 shown in
As shown in
As shown in
In embodiments as shown in
In an embodiment of operation of pyrolysis and gasification system 175 as shown in the embodiments of
Although the present invention and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations may be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
Claims
1. An air distribution system for a reactor, wherein bed materials are disposed in the reactor, comprising:
- an air distribution plate;
- a plurality of air distributors, wherein the plurality of air distributors are attached to the air distribution plate;
- wherein each of the air distributors comprises a base and a distribution arm, and wherein the distribution arm comprises distributor orifices; and
- wherein the distribution arm is disposed about parallel to the air distribution plate, and wherein the distribution arm comprises a bottom side, and further wherein the distributor orifices are disposed on the bottom side of the distribution arm.
2. The air distribution system of claim 1, wherein the air distribution system provides air to the bed materials to provide a fluidized bed in the reactor.
3. The air distribution system of claim 2, wherein the air distribution system is submerged in the fluidized bed.
4. The air distribution system of claim 1, wherein the reactor is disposed in a gasifier for producing a synthesis gas and bio-char from a biomass feedstock.
5. The air distribution system of claim 1, wherein the distribution arm is disposed about perpendicular to the base.
6. The air distribution system of claim 1, wherein air flows from the base to the distribution arm.
7. A flow measurement device adapted for measuring biomass flow, comprising:
- a plurality of feed rollers, wherein each of the feed rollers is rotatable, and wherein each feed roller comprises a roller shaft and roller blades; and
- wherein the flow measurement device is calibrated to allow determination of the biomass flow from rotation of the feed rollers.
8. The flow measurement device of claim 7, wherein the roller blades of a feed roller contact the roller blades of an adjacent feed roller when one or both of the feed rollers are rotating.
9. The flow measurement device of claim 7, further comprising a metering device attached to each feed roller.
10. The flow measurement device of claim 9, wherein rotation of each feed roller rotates the attached metering device.
11. The flow measurement device of claim 9, wherein the metering device comprises metering device ridges and contact points disposed between each adjacent metering device ridge.
12. The flow measurement device of claim 11, wherein a metering device ridge is disposed in the contact point of an adjacent metering device.
13. The flow measurement device of claim 9, wherein each metering device rotates with rotation of an adjacent metering device.
14. A cyclone assembly for removing char from a gas produced from a biomass feedstock, comprising:
- a first cyclone, wherein the first cyclone is a low energy cyclone;
- a second cyclone, wherein the second cyclone is a high efficiency cyclone; and
- wherein the first cyclone is disposed to receive the gas, and wherein the gas exiting the first cyclone flows to the second cyclone.
15. The cyclone assembly of claim 14, wherein the gas comprises a temperature, and wherein the first cyclone and the second cyclone are operated at about the temperature of the gas.
16. The cyclone assembly of claim 14, wherein the gas flows to the second cyclone through a cyclone duct.
17. The cyclone assembly of claim 14, wherein the first cyclone is a 1D1D cyclone, and wherein the second cyclone is a 1D3D cyclone.
18. The cyclone assembly of claim 14, wherein the first cyclone is a 1D3D cyclone, and wherein the second cyclone is a 1D5D cyclone.
19. The cyclone assembly of claim 14, wherein the first cyclone and/or the second cyclone comprise a rotary air lock.
20. The cyclone assembly of claim 14, wherein the first cyclone comprises a cut-point of about 6 micrometers aerodynamic equivalent diameter, and the second cyclone comprises a cut-point of about 3 micrometers aerodynamic equivalent diameter.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 7, 2011
Publication Date: Aug 15, 2013
Applicant: THE TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY SYSTEM (College Station, TX)
Inventors: Wayne A. Lepori (College Station, TX), David B. Carney (College Station, TX), Sergio C. Capareda (College Station, TX), Calvin B. Parnell, JR. (College Station, TX)
Application Number: 13/577,247
International Classification: C10B 53/00 (20060101); F16L 41/02 (20060101); G01F 1/76 (20060101);