An auger reactor is a type of pyrolysis reactor that uses a screw to convey a single feedstock or a blend with solid heat carriers down the length of a tube. It is commonly used for slow or intermediate pyrolysis processes. The auger reactor relies on mechanical force and pressure to transfer heat effectively, unlike fluidized and circulatory reactors that depend on fluid dynamics.
One advantage of the auger reactor is its ability to carry out pyrolysis with moderate heat supply. It is particularly suitable for materials that are heterogeneous or difficult to handle. However, it is not the best option for the production of bio-oils and volatiles, as the main product of pyrolysis in an auger reactor is biochar.
The auger reactor can also be designed and operated for fast pyrolysis conditions. In this case, a preheated heat carrier is added to the biomass feed inside the reactor in an appropriate ratio. The mechanical mixing of biomass particles with the heat carrier by screws is not as intense as in fluidized beds, but the solid bed density is much higher, allowing for comparably high heat transfer coefficients. No fluidizing gas is needed, which simplifies the product recovery and gas cleaning process.
For fast pyrolysis in auger reactors, a heat carrier loop is required. The recirculation of the heat carrier can be achieved mechanically or by an entrained flow riser. The heat carrier can be re-heated through heat exchange, hot fluidizing gas in the riser, and/or combustion of entrained char particles during recirculation. The choice of heat carrier used in the process will greatly influence the combination of recirculation and re-heating methods.
Overall, auger reactors are gaining attention in the pyrolysis industry due to their ability to handle heterogeneous materials and carry out pyrolysis with moderate heat supply. However, there are challenges associated with stirring parts in the hot zone and temperature transmission on a large scale.
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