How does the Torbed® reactor work?
The Torbed® reactor consists of a cylindrical reaction chamber. In this chamber, a bed of combustible or wet material is fed onto a ring of blades. Heated process air is then blown into the reactor through the blade ring. The angled position of the blades serves to generate a rotating movement in the reaction chamber.
The material that requires burning or drying is elevated slightly above the blade ring (see illustration) and is caused to rotate. By creating a horizontal rotating movement of the process air and material, small particles are not immediately blown out of the reactor.
This rotating movement also causes the product and the process air to be extremely well-mixed, enabling intense contact between the process air and the material. As a result, we are able to achieve a very high and efficient heat transfer and excellent drying, gasification or combustion results in a very short residence time.
Supplying materials
There are several ways to supply materials. For instance, solids or fluids can simply be fed into the heart of the Torbed® reactor through a central opening. The material is then divided around the bed by means of a cone. Eccentric and other feeding techniques have also proven to be effective.
Removing materials
Likewise, there are several ways to remove a product. The combustion or drying gases exit the reactor chamber from the top, while a cyclone discharges any additional dust. Both the dried product and the heavier ash by-products are either discharged through the central opening in the heart of the reactor or through a side opening in the reactor chamber.
