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US 11,892,163 B2Granted
Thermochemical system and method
OwnerBernardo del Campoinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A thermochemical system & method may be configured to convert an organic feedstock to various products. A thermochemical system may include a solid material feed module, a reactor module, an afterburner module, and a solid product finishing module. The various operational parameters (temperature, pressure, etc.) of the various modules may vary depending on the desired products. The product streams may be gaseous, vaporous, liquid, and/or solid.
Claims16
A thermochemical method comprising the steps of:
- a) providing a solid material to a solid material feed module of a thermochemical system, said solid material feed module comprising a feed module conveying member providing motive force to move said solid material from said solid material feed module;
- b) providing a first portion of thermal energy to said solid material via an external heat source, wherein said external heat source is positioned adjacent said solid material feed module;
- c) moving said solid material to a reactor module of said thermochemical system using said feed module conveying member, said reactor module comprising:
- i. a reactor vessel positioned within a vessel shroud, wherein a reactor conveying member is positioned within said reactor vessel, and wherein an aperture in said reactor vessel allows for removal of a gas or a vapor from said solid material positioned within said reactor vessel;
- ii. a ventilation/combustion chamber defined as a space between said reactor vessel and said vessel shroud;
- iii. a first horizontal section defining a first zone, wherein said solid material feed module, said reactor module, and a solid product finishing module further comprise a plurality of support members, wherein said plurality of support members are engaged with a floor surface, and wherein at least one said support member is adjustable in height such that an inclination of said reactor module is adjustable;
- d) removing a combustible gas from said solid material via said first portion of thermal energy from said external heat source;
- e) igniting said combustible gas within said ventilation/combustion chamber and providing a second portion of thermal energy to said reactor vessel, wherein said second portion of thermal energy is sufficient to sustain a reaction that causes said combustible gas to be removed from said solid material;
- f) moving said solid material along a length of said reactor module via said reactor conveying member;
- g) adjusting a height of each said support member in said plurality thereof such that an elevation of said solid material feed module, an elevation of said reactor module, and an elevation of said solid product finishing module relative to one another optimizes a ratio of a gas product stream, a liquid product stream, and a solid product stream of said thermochemical method;
- and,
- h) removing said external heat source.
9 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.