What Other Important Functions Does the Separator Drum Serve in the Waste Tire Pyrolysis Process?

What Other Important Functions Does the Separator Drum Serve in the Waste Tire Pyrolysis Process?

In addition to its core functions including heavy oil separation, oil-gas buffering, and protection of subsequent equipment, the separator drum also undertakes the following easily overlooked yet crucial functions in the waste tire pyrolysis process:

Pressure stabilization and regulation of gas-liquid two phases

The oil and gas inside the pyrolysis furnace are in a high-temperature and high-pressure gas-liquid mixed state, and their flow rate and pressure change dynamically with the pyrolysis process. As a closed buffer vessel, the separator drum can balance the pressure difference between the furnace interior and the subsequent pipelines, avoiding poor oil-gas transportation or pipeline damage caused by impact due to sudden pressure rises or drops inside the furnace. Especially in batch-type processes, the separator drum can smooth out pressure fluctuations in different pyrolysis stages by temporarily storing a portion of oil and gas, thus maintaining the pressure stability of the entire system.

Preliminary dehydration and impurity filtration

Waste tires usually contain a small amount of moisture, which turns into water vapor and mixes into the oil and gas during pyrolysis. Meanwhile, the oil and gas may also carry a tiny amount of solid impurities such as carbon black dust. The gravity sedimentation and baffle structures inside the separator drum can not only separate heavy oil, but also make water droplets and solid impurities (which have higher density than oil and gas) settle at the bottom and be discharged together with heavy oil. This step of preliminary dehydration and impurity removal can reduce the probability of scaling and blockage in subsequent condensers, while improving the purity of light oil products.

Monitoring node for process operation status

Monitoring instruments such as pressure gauges, thermometers, and liquid level gauges are installed on the separator drum. The data from these instruments can directly reflect the progress of the pyrolysis reaction. For example, stable temperature and pressure inside the separator drum indicate that the pyrolysis reaction in the furnace is in a steady stage; if the liquid level rises rapidly, it may mean that the output of heavy oil has increased, or that abnormal material entrainment has occurred inside the pyrolysis furnace. Operators can adjust pyrolysis process parameters in a timely manner based on these data to ensure production safety and efficiency.

Prevention of oil-gas backflow

When the pyrolysis furnace shuts down for cooling or the subsequent system experiences transient pressure anomalies, the separator drum can act as a "barrier", preventing condensate or air in the subsequent condensation system from flowing back into the high-temperature pyrolysis furnace. This avoids damage to the furnace body caused by thermal shock, as well as the risk of combustible gas explosion triggered by air entering the furnace.