Thermal transfer mechanisms for an auger pyrolysis reactor

Abstract

An improved method of providing heat to a pyrolysis reactor is disclosed. A solid heat carrier produces fast pyrolysis vapors during transport of the solid heat carrier/feedstock mixture down the shell of the main reactor tube by the reactor tube auger. These vapors are drawn from the main reactor tube by a slight vacuum pressure and are condensed in a multiple condenser train comprised of shell and tube condensers cooled by water or other means.

1 . A method to supply heat for pyrolysis by a solid heat carrier. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the solid heat carrier is char produced during the pyrolysis process. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the solid heat carrier is a mixture, in any proportion, of char and a solid heat carrier of any size, shape or density. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the solid heat carrier is heated in any manner to an appropriate temperature useful for pyrolysis of a pyrolyzable material. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the solid heat carrier is heated by any means selected from the list consisting of microwave, infrared, hot fluid, air, and electric heater. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the char is produced by the pyrolysis process and retains heat produced during pyrolysis. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the solid heat carrier is introduced to a shell of the main reactor tube in which a pyrolyzable material and solid heat carrier are mixed in any proportion in order to cause pyrolysis of the pyrolyzable material. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the solid heat carrier and char mixture is acquired as a byproduct from the reactor tube and introduced to an infeed of the hollow shaft of the main reactor tube. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the solid heat carrier and char mixture is separated into the solid heat carrier and char as distinguished from the char or other byproducts of the pyrolysis process and char components with either being passed through the hollow shaft of an auger reactor to provide pyrolysis heat. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the solid heat carrier or solid heat carrier/char mixture is transported to an infeed port to the hollow shaft of the main reactor. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein:
 a. said transportation means is heated by any means to maintain, or increase, the temperature of the transported solid heat carrier or solid heat carrier and char; and 
 b. said hollow shaft containing an internal auger or any other means for transporting the solid heat carrier or solid heat carrier/char mixture. 
 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the solid heat carrier, solid heat carrier and char mixture, char, or torrefied biomass is transported inside the hollow internal auger shaft so as to contact the shaft's internal surface to allow for conducting of heat from the solid heat carrier to the internal auger shaft surface. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the solid heat carrier, solid heat carrier and char mixture, char, and torrefied biomass are transported at a speed to promote heat transfer from internal auger shaft surface, through the material comprising the auger shaft, and to the outer surface of the internal auger shaft. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the outer surface of the internal auger shaft comprises the internal surface of the shell of the main auger tube wherein:
 a. the internal surface of the main auger shaft conducts heat to the pyrolyzable material and solid heat carrier being transported through the shell of the main auger tube during pyrolysis, and 
 b. the heat is conducted to the pyrolyzable material and solid heat carrier so as to increase the pyrolysis efficiency of the reactor.