초록 ▼

A device for conveying inhomogenous solid matter, particularly biomass, includes an endless screw. The endless screw is located in a sleeve fitted with a counter screw, which allows better transportation, and the possible creation of a plug of compressed material at predetermined points on the screw

A device for conveying inhomogenous solid matter, particularly biomass, includes an endless screw. The endless screw is located in a sleeve fitted with a counter screw, which allows better transportation, and the possible creation of a plug of compressed material at predetermined points on the screw, which isolates the device from the outside. The device can be coupled with at least one other endless screw, which can be put under a pressure greater than the device. The screw erodes the plug and transports the matter so obtained, for example to a pressurized reactor. With the device, a pressure difference between for example a raw material storage tank and a reactor does not lead to excessive cost in terms of pressurizing gas.

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. A system for conveying solid from a first tank to a second tank comprising: an introduction device which can be connected to the first tank; a first conveying device connected to the introduction device, comprising a first endless screw including a shaft fitted with a p

The invention claimed is: 1. A system for conveying solid from a first tank to a second tank comprising: an introduction device which can be connected to the first tank; a first conveying device connected to the introduction device, comprising a first endless screw including a shaft fitted with a projecting helical winding in a first winding direction, and a sleeve in which the first screw is located and is configured to rotate, the sleeve including at least one counter screw including a projecting helical winding on an inner surface of the sleeve and in a second winding direction opposite to the first winding direction; a second conveying device comprising a second endless screw having an axis perpendicular to the shaft of the first endless screw of the first device, and which comprises a helical winding of spirals at least one of which is able to abrade compressed matter; and a discharge device which can be connected to the second tank and which is put into relation with the second device. 2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve comprises a plurality of counter screws. 3. A system according to claim 1, wherein a pitch of the first endless screw of the first device is constant. 4. A system according to claim 3, wherein each counter screw has a constant pitch. 5. A system according to claim 1, wherein each counter screw has a pitch at least equal to five times the pitch of the first endless screw. 6. A system according to claim 1, wherein a direction of the spirals of the helical winding of at least one counter screw makes an angle of about 90�� with direction of the spirals of the helical winding of the screw. 7. A system according to claim 1, comprising the second tank which is pressurized and connected to the discharge device. 8. A system according to claim 1, wherein the second endless screw of the second device comprises a sleeve in which it is able to rotate. 9. A system according to claim 7, wherein the second device is similar to the first device. 10. A system according to claim 8, wherein the sleeve of the second device is hermetically sealed with the sleeve of the first device at the end of the first endless screw opposite to the introduction device. 11. A system according to claim 9, comprising a plurality of second devices. 12. A system according to claim 11, wherein each device is sealed in a leakproof way with the device preceding it in the conveying direction at a right angle. 13. A process for conveying a solid material from a first feed tank to a second reaction tank by a system according to claim 1, comprising: creating a plug of solid material compressed by the first device and transporting of the solid material to the second tank. 14. A process according to claim 13, comprising plural formations of plugs of solid matter and abrasions by conveying devices. 15. A process according to claim 13, wherein the second tank is at a higher pressure than the first tank. 16. A system according to claim 1, wherein said sleeve is subject to a rotation in a same direction as, and at a speed different from, the first endless screw. 17. A system according to claim 1, wherein said projecting helical winding on the shaft and said projecting helical winding on an inner surface of the sleeve each extend beyond said introduction device so as to end between said introduction device and a rotation device that rotates said first endless screw. 18. A system according to claim 1, wherein said second endless screw of said second device includes a central shaft, and wherein said second endless screw and said first device are positioned against each other so that said first endless screw compresses material against said second endless screw and said second device partially seals a first discharge end located at an end of said first device with a plug of compressed material at said first discharge end, and wherein said second endless screw of said second device erodes said plug of material and transports eroded material from said first discharge end to a second discharge end located at an end of said second device. 19. A system according to claim 18, wherein said second endless screw and said first device are configured with respect to each other so that said plug of compressed material is sufficiently compact to maintain a pressure differential between the first and second devices. 20. A system according to claim 1, wherein said first and second devices are located in a same horizontal plane. 21. A system for conveying solid from a first tank to a second tank comprising: an introduction device which can be connected to the first tank; a first conveying device connected to the introduction device, comprising a first endless screw including a shaft fitted with a projecting helical winding in a first winding direction and having a first constant pitch, and a sleeve in which the first screw is located and is configured to rotate, the sleeve comprising at least one counter screw including a projecting helical winding on an inner surface of the sleeve and in a second winding direction opposite to the first winding direction and having a second pitch at least equal to five times the first pitch; a second conveying device comprising a second endless screw having an axis perpendicular to the shaft of the first endless screw of the first device, and which comprises a helical winding of spirals at least one of which is able to abrade compressed matter, and a sleeve in which the second screw is located and is able to rotate; a discharge device which are put into relation with the second device; and the second tank which is pressurized and connected to the discharge device. 22. A system according to claim 21, wherein the sleeve of the second device is hermetically sealed with the sleeve of the first device at the end of the first endless screw opposite to the introduction device. 23. A system according to claim 22, wherein a direction of spirals of the helical winding of the at least one counter screw makes an angle of about 90�� with direction of the spirals of the helical winding of the first screw. 24. A system according to claim 22, comprising a plurality of second devices. 25. A system according to claim 24, wherein each device is sealed in a leakproof way with the device preceding it in the conveying direction at a right angle.