Systems, apparatus and methods for optimizing the pyrolysis of biomass using thermal expansion
View Patent ↗A process for pyrolyzing biomass comprises pyrolyzing cellulosic biomass in a fast pyrolysis chamber by heating the cellulosic biomass to a pyrolyzation temperature to generate a pyrolysis vapor flow therefrom. The pyrolysis vapor flow is directed from the fast pyrolysis chamber along a vapor flow conduit to a condensation trap at a temperature sufficient to condense the vapor to liquid and generate a thermal gradient along the vapor flow conduit between the pyrolysis chamber and condensation trap. A majority of the pyrolysis vapor flow along the vapor flow conduit to the condensation trap is achieved by natural convection. Systems that can practice this process are also disclosed.
1. A pyrolysis process comprising the steps of:
providing a vertically oriented pyrolysis unit having a pyrolysis chamber elongated along a vertical axis thereof and a combustion chamber arranged generally concentrically and sharing a common heat-conducting wall with the pyrolysis chamber;
disposing a combustion source in thermal communication with a lower end of the combustion chamber for heating the pyrolysis chamber;
positioning a biomass input port proximate an upper end of the pyrolysis chamber for allowing biomass introduced therein to fall towards a lower end of the pyrolysis chamber;
providing a pyrolysis liquid collection unit in vapor communication with the pyrolysis chamber for condensing the pyrolysis vapor to liquid;
positioning the biomass input port about a proximal end of an inertia conveyor housing for feeding biomass into an inertia conveyor housing chamber;
coupling an inclined inertia conveyor to the biomass input port and extending within the inertia conveyor housing for moving the biomass along a length of the inclined inertia conveyor to a pyrolysis zone positioned between the proximal end and a distal end of the inertia conveyor housing;
coupling a heat source to the inertia conveyor housing positioned proximate the pyrolysis zone for providing sufficient heat to pyrolyze biomass in the pyrolysis zone;
positioning a char output port proximate the distal end for removing char produced during pyrolysis from the inertia conveyor; and
fitting a pyrolysis liquid collection unit in vapor communication with the inertia conveyor for condensing the pyrolysis vapor to liquid.
2. The process of claim 1 , wherein the biomass input port is positioned below a cyclonic separator that separates biomass from entraining gas by cyclonic action.
3. The process of claim 1 , wherein the biomass input port bisects the vertical axis of the pyrolysis chamber.
4. The system of claim 1 , further comprising the step of positioning an electric heater about the biomass input port for pre-heating biomass as it flows therethrough while falling.
5. The process of claim 1 , further comprising the steps of concentrically surrounding the inertia conveyor with a combustion chamber.
6. The process of claim 1 , further comprising the step of inclining the inertia conveyor so that the proximal end is lower than the distal end.