Angled reaction vessel
First Claim
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1. A biomass bearing material treatment pressure vessel, comprising:
- a generally cylindrical reaction vessel having first and second ends, said reaction vessel configured for rotation;
a drive mechanism for causing rotation of the reaction vessel;
one or more support tracks and wheels for supporting said reaction vessel as it rotates;
at least one access opening to an interior of said reaction vessel, and through which biomass bearing material may pass;
a door for closing said access opening;
a door sealing system operatively associated with said door for sealing said door to said vessel at said access opening and for maintaining a pressure differential between the interior of said vessel and an exterior thereof;
at least one flight of auger vanes on an interior wall of said reaction vessel and extending into the interior of said vessel in a plane, for moving biomass bearing material within said vessel from said first end to said second end of said reaction vessel, and from said second end to said first end of said reaction vessel, said auger vanes having a base edge attached to an interior vessel wall, and a top edge, said top edge of said auger vanes defining a bore oriented parallel to an axis of the reaction vessel, said top edge further including a plurality of paddles extending into said bore in the same plane as said auger vane; and
a plurality of sparging lines operably connected to an interior of said vessel for injecting steam into said vessel.
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Abstract
The invention is an apparatus and a process for treating biomass bearing material including municipal solid waste (MSW). The apparatus includes a reaction vessel held at an angle and configured for rotation and steam injection, with helically arranged internal flights, a self-aligning door closure, and a swing-away door assembly. It also includes a novel structure for shredding biomass bearing material attached to the edges of the flights. This structure is a number of projecting tooth like points and paddles.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. A biomass bearing material treatment pressure vessel, comprising:
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a generally cylindrical reaction vessel having first and second ends, said reaction vessel configured for rotation; a drive mechanism for causing rotation of the reaction vessel; one or more support tracks and wheels for supporting said reaction vessel as it rotates; at least one access opening to an interior of said reaction vessel, and through which biomass bearing material may pass; a door for closing said access opening; a door sealing system operatively associated with said door for sealing said door to said vessel at said access opening and for maintaining a pressure differential between the interior of said vessel and an exterior thereof; at least one flight of auger vanes on an interior wall of said reaction vessel and extending into the interior of said vessel in a plane, for moving biomass bearing material within said vessel from said first end to said second end of said reaction vessel, and from said second end to said first end of said reaction vessel, said auger vanes having a base edge attached to an interior vessel wall, and a top edge, said top edge of said auger vanes defining a bore oriented parallel to an axis of the reaction vessel, said top edge further including a plurality of paddles extending into said bore in the same plane as said auger vane; and a plurality of sparging lines operably connected to an interior of said vessel for injecting steam into said vessel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A biomass bearing material treatment pressure vessel, comprising:
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a generally cylindrical reaction vessel having first and second ends, said reaction vessel configured for rotation and held at an angle of approximately 6% from horizontal; a drive mechanism for causing rotation of the reaction vessel; one or more support tracks and wheels to support said reaction vessel as it rotates; a single access opening in said reaction vessel, through which biomass bearing material may pass; a door for closing said access opening; a door sealing system operatively associated with said door for sealing said door to said vessel at said access opening and for maintaining a pressure differential between the interior of said vessel and an exterior thereof; at least one flight of auger vanes on an interior wall of said reaction vessel and extending into the interior of said vessel in a plane, for moving biomass bearing material within said vessel from said first end to said second end of said reaction vessel, and from said second end to said first end of said reaction vessel, said auger vanes having a base edge attached to an interior vessel wall, and a top edge, said top edge of said auger vanes defining a bore oriented parallel to an axis of the reaction vessel, said top edge further including a plurality of paddles extending into said bore in the same plane as said auger vane; and a plurality of sparging lines operably connected to an interior of said vessel for injecting steam into said vessel. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
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22. A biomass bearing material treatment pressure vessel, comprising:
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a generally cylindrical reaction vessel with a first end and a second end, with said reaction vessel configured for rotation at an angle selected by the operator; a drive mechanism for causing rotation of the reaction vessel; an access opening in said reaction vessel, through which product may enter and/or exit said reaction vessel; one or more flights of auger vanes on the interior wall of said reaction vessel, for moving product in said reaction vessel, with the auger vanes having a base edge attached to a interior vessel wall, and a top edge, wherein said top edge further includes a plurality of paddles extending into said bore in the same plane as said auger vane; a plurality of sparging lines operably connected to an interior of the reaction vessel for injecting steam into the interior of the vessel; a self aligning door sealing assembly, comprising; a swing away door; a first locking rim surrounding said access opening on the reactor vessel; a second locking rim on said door for placement adjacent the first locking rim; and a clamp collar for drawing said locking rims together and for forming a seal between said door and said access opening for maintaining a pressure differential between the interior of said vessel and an exterior thereof and producing a seal facilitating a buildup of pressure inside the reaction vessel. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification