Arrangement introduced in a mobile modular plant for the production of bioenergy from industrial sweet potatoes or related products.

Description

1 / 11 A device introduced in a mobile modular plant for the production of bioenergy from industrial sweet potatoes or related products. TECHNICAL FIELD

[001] This utility model relates to an arrangement introduced in a mobile modular plant for the production of bioenergy from industrial sweet potatoes or related products, as well as any other source of starch, vegetable oils, animal fat or other triglyceride source, provided that it has physicochemical characteristics within the possible process standards, being bioenergy such as bioethanol, biodiesel, crude glycerin, protein, starches and bioplastics.

[002] This mobile modular plant has construction features that enable the self-sustainability of public and private rural properties, family farming settlements and other advantages through the practicality of implementing the process and operating the modular plant based on a mobile environment in the form of a 'Dr' type shipping container or other 20 or 40 foot container where an arrangement of equipment designed to obtain the bioenergy production process is installed, such as a turbo disintegrator, starch separation system, heating ramp, main and auxiliary reactors, helical rotary pump, cooler, fermentation vessels, phase separation column, condenser and transfer box. HISTORY OF THE TECHNIQUE

[003] It is known that, for the production of bioenergy, particularly biodiesel from various raw materials such as available oil or fat, equipment is used in accordance with the specifications of the ANP (National Petroleum Agency), namely: i) Press for extracting oil from oilseeds; ii) Equipment for filtration, degumming, neutralization, drying and 'wintering'; iii) Tank with mechanical agitation for Petition 870220083168, dated 12 / 09 / 2022, page 5 / 42 2 / 11 Transesterification where the oil is mixed with alcohol (ethanol or methanol); iv) Decanting tanks or centrifuges for separating glycerin from biodiesel; v) Evaporators, condensers, washing and drying systems for purifying biodiesel and glycerin, in addition to peripheral components such as electric motors, electric pumps, vacuum pumps and others.

[004] The aforementioned conventional process for obtaining biodiesel requires ample physical space and manpower for controlling heat, water, and electricity, in addition to the fact that biodiesel production via the ethyl route yields a toxic product, causing environmental damage such as air pollution that contributes to the greenhouse effect.

[005] Considering these drawbacks and with the aim of reducing damage to the environment, the state of the art foresees the production of biodiesel from industrial sweet potatoes, in order to enable several advantages such as the short production cycle of sweet potatoes of 4 to 7 months allowing two harvests, wide adaptation to soils of low to medium fertility, resistance to pests and diseases, practicality in planting and mechanized harvesting, does not generate waste or burning, lasts up to two months after harvesting, among other advantages.

[006] The biodiesel production process can be seen in document no. BRMU8901749, which reveals a process for producing ethanol from sweet potatoes. This process involves transferring raw material from the module to the reactor, which can also be used in a reactor because they are similar and have agitators with adjustable propeller pitch and temperature control, aiming at cooking in the presence of an enzyme. After enzymatic cooking for a determined time, the fluid passes through the cooling chamber and arrives at the desired temperature at the tomized domes. There, they receive another enzyme for fermentation, after which the fluid is transported to a distillation column. In this case, the boiling temperature will transport the fluid in vapor form to the towers. Petition 870220083168, dated 12 / 09 / 2022, page 6 / 42 3 / 11 condensers where, through the water cooling system, the temperature of the towers will be regulated, resulting in the production of fine and anhydrous fuel ethanol, which will be stored for use.

[007] Concluding the ethanol production process, the biodiesel production process begins via the transesterification method. The raw material can be of either vegetable or animal origin. In this case, the raw material will leave the warehouse, going directly to the reactor, where at the determined temperature it will receive anhydrous alcohol in the presence of a catalyst. After this catalyst, the fluid will remain for a certain time under agitation and at the appropriate temperature, reacting where the molecules will undergo the necessary breakdown. When transferred to the thoracic modules, the decanters will remain until the total separation of the ester / glycerin. After removing the lower part (denser glycerin), it is sent to the warehouse. The resulting ester will enter a washing and drying process in module 6 (distiller equipped with agitator and injector), which, in the same way as the ethanol, will channel all the vapor to the condensing towers where it will promote the recovery of excess ethanol from the process.

[008] Although the biodiesel produced in this process has important innovative advantages, especially such as not generating toxic waste, but rather a protein mass of 17 to 30% that can be used directly as animal feed, this process has an equipment arrangement that makes modularity and mobility impossible, which hinders the scope of the process, especially for public and private rural properties, family farming settlements and others.

[009] The applicant operating in the area of ​​biological preparations holds document no. BR 10.2019.014232-4 which deals with a modular factory for biological preparations located in a mobile environment where equipment intended for unit operations of manufacturing processes is arranged. Petition 870220083168, dated 12 / 09 / 2022, page 7 / 42 4 / 11 of the prepared components: bioreactors, aerator, valves, air piping, water piping; antifoam injector, ultraviolet lamp system, motor with water pump and stainless steel workbench. And with the aim of making biodiesel production available from industrial sweet potatoes, this document presents a mobile modular plant for the production of bioenergy from industrial sweet potatoes. State of the Art Analysis

[010] Research conducted in specialized databases revealed documents related to modular plants, such as the one presented in document no. BR 10.2021.024586-7, which deals with a hybrid (land-water) modular photobioreactor and / or cartridges for the cultivation of free or immobilized microalgae in biopolymers applied in the wastewater treatment process, product generation, and their uses. It discloses a type of platform intended for the simultaneous treatment of wastewater using free or immobilized microalgae in biopolymeric matrices, the design of new photobioreactors, and the obtaining and use of bioproducts that serve as raw materials and / or final inputs of industrial interest.

[011] Document no. BR 11.2021.022203-0 presents an anaerobic digester that includes a biogas storage vessel comprising a semipermeable membrane separating the biogas storage vessel into a first space and a second space, such that the first space is configured to be methane enriched and the second space is configured to be CO2 enriched. The anaerobic digester further includes a cover positioned over the biogas storage vessel to protect the biogas storage vessel from the elements.

[012] Document no. US2011167712 discloses a mobile plant for self-sustaining biodiesel production and a mobile process for biodiesel production, Petition 870220083168, dated 12 / 09 / 2022, page 8 / 42 5 / 11 consists of a compact arrangement of equipment for biodiesel production in order to reduce waste generation and, additionally, allow for the reuse / application of some of it; it is organized and arranged on a chassis with an axle and wheels that can be fixed and moved to various locations, and has a self-sustaining format to use its own fuel to generate electricity to power the entire plant, if necessary.

[013] Thus, it is a fact that the documents cited in the paragraphs above, despite belonging to the same field of application, do not present any of the characteristics of the object now improved, thus guaranteeing that it meets the legal requirements for patentability. FUNCTIONAL IMPROVEMENTS

[014] The functional improvement of the present utility model consists of a mobile modular plant installed in a dry or similar 20 or 40-foot shipping container for obtaining the bioenergy production process from sweet potatoes, similar or related tubers through an arrangement of plant equipment, comprising a disintegrator, starch separation system, heating ramp, main and auxiliary reactors, helical rotary pump, cooler, fermentation vessels, phase separation column, condenser and transfer box, . Advantages Obtained

[015] One of the advantages of the patent aims to present a mobile modular plant installed in a container that, notably, enables the easy transfer of the plant to rural and / or urban areas, providing producers with access to bioenergy production from industrial sweet potatoes or similar raw materials subjected to equipment stored inside the container, providing self-sufficiency for public, private and related rural properties.

[016] Another advantage of the mobile modular plant for bioenergy production is Petition 870220083168, dated 12 / 09 / 2022, page 9 / 42 6 / 11 starting from industrial sweet potato or related products refers to the mobile characteristics of the plant due to its application in a container, which results in the practicality of implementing the operation process in rural and / or urban areas. This practicality is due to the mobile characteristics of the shipping container, which can be 20 or 40 feet long, or with dimensions customized for this purpose.

[017] Another advantage of the mobile modular plant is the possibility of producing bioenergy from sweet potatoes, as well as from other natural sources of starch, vegetable oils, animal fat or other triglyceride sources, provided that they have physicochemical characteristics within the possible standards of the production process, as well as, in addition to producing biodiesel, said modular plant enables the production of Bio-inputs, Fertilizers, Biofertilizers, on-farm biological control agents, ethanol, biodiesel, crude glycerin, protein, starches and bioplastics. DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[018] To complement the present description in order to obtain a better understanding of the characteristics of the utility model and in accordance with a preferred practical embodiment thereof, a set of drawings is attached to the description, where, in an exemplary, though not limiting, manner, the following is represented:

[019] Figure 1 represents a top perspective view of the mobile modular plant for bioenergy production illustrating the container used for the plant's mobility;

[020] Figure 2 shows a top perspective view of the mobile modular plant exposing the arrangement of components for bioenergy production;

[021] Figure 3 shows a top view of the plant with the arrangement of bioenergy production equipment visible;

[022] Figure 4 shows a front view of the plant with the arrangement of Petition 870220083168, dated 12 / 09 / 2022, page 10 / 42 7 / 11 equipment designed for the bioenergy production process, strategically placed inside the container to form the mobile modular plant;

[023] Figure 5 represents a side view of the plant with the arrangement of equipment for obtaining the bioenergy production process stored inside the container; and

[024] Figure 6 illustrates a perspective view of the plant installed in a 40-foot container. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE OBJECT

[025] With reference to the illustrated drawings, the present utility model refers to an ARRANGEMENT INTRODUCED IN A MOBILE MODULAR PLANT FOR THE PRODUCTION OF BIOENERGY FROM INDUSTRIAL SWEET POTATO OR RELATED PRODUCTS, said plant (US) of the type provided for in document no. BR MU8901749 for the production of bioenergy from industrial sweet potato (BT) and applicant document no. BR 10.2019.014232-4 with container (11).

[026] According to the present utility model, said modular plant (US) is installed in a 20-foot dry-type shipping container (11) or similar container to form the mobile modular plant (10), said mobile modular plant (10) integrating an equipment arrangement (EQ) that uses industrial sweet potato (BT) for bioenergy production, said equipment (EQ) comprising a turbo disintegrator (12) for washing and crushing the industrial sweet potato (BT) located near the starch separation system (13) optionally used for partial starch removal, responsible for directing the resulting mass through a helical rotary pump (B1) to the electrical resistors (14) and heating ramp (15) arranged near the side entrance (11a) of the container (11) and parallel to a main reactor (16) with a horizontal tubular body (16a) arranged suspended and with an extension near the roof (11a) of the container (11), for receiving the sweet potato masher. Petition 870220083168, dated 12 / 09 / 2022, p. 11 / 42 8 / 11 sweet (BT) and subjected to recirculating agitation by pump (B2) which directs doses of alpha amylase extracted from an auxiliary reactor (17) located parallel to the first fermentation vessel (19) to the said main reactor (16), said auxiliary reactor (17) being connected to a tubular body cooler (18) and placed on the outer face (lla2) of the roof (llal) for cooling the heated mass up to 30°C and subsequently conditioned by pump (B3) to the fermentation vessels (19) arranged equidistantly on the inner base (11c) of the container (11) for transformation of glucose and must into alcohol by means of fermentation by yeasts.Said fermentation vessels (19) also have pipe connections (Tb) with electrical resistors (14) for a second heating of the wort, so that water and alcohol in the form of vapor are released through the phase separation column (20) parallel to the condenser (21) which project vertically in relation to the outer face (lla2) of the roof (llal) of the container (11), for release of the alcohol through the transfer box (23) provided at the lower end of the condenser (21).

[027] This mobile modular plant (10) has equipment (EQ) that can be used for the production of ethanol-type biodiesel, using industrial sweet potato (BT), as well as using other natural sources of starch, vegetable oils, animal fat or other triglyceride sources for the production of biodiesel, bio-inputs, fertilizers, biofertilizers, on-farm biological control agents, ethanol, biodiesel, crude glycerin, protein, starches and bioplastics.

[028] In an alternative version, the 40-foot container (1Γ) can receive the equipment arrangement (EQ) of an additional modular plant (10) (see figure 6)

[029] By way of example, for the production of ethanol using the mobile modular plant (10) it is necessary that the mass resulting from the production of starch from Petition 870220083168, dated 12 / 09 / 2022, p. 12 / 42 9 / 11 starch separation system (13) follows by helical rotary pump (Bl) until heating by electric resistors (14), which can be replaced by a boiler, which are responsible for increasing the temperature up to 90°C, subsequently the mass goes to the inlet of the main reactor (16) at an average pH of 6.5 to 7.0 where in recirculating agitation by pump (Bl) it will receive doses of alpha amylase from the auxiliary reactor (17), in the proportion determined for each type of raw material. After cooking is finished, cooling is initiated via cooler (18) with pH between 5.5 and 6.0 and the enzyme, glucoamylase and a determined nutrient are added, in the presence of 10 ppm of antibiotic already cooled to a temperature of 30°C, concluding the enzymatic hydrolysis process of the wort.

[030] The must is transported by pump (B2) to the fermentation vessels (19), where glucose is transformed into alcohol along with the must fermented by yeasts, subsequently returning to the electrical resistors (14) for further heating up to 107°C, where water and alcohol in vapor form rise through the phase separation column (20) for water condensation, returning to the distillation base along with the protein mass which can be used for the production of wet animal feed or dried for use in human food. While distillation continues through the alcohol vapors conducted to the condenser (21) which, already in liquid form, can be stored according to the standards of the National Petroleum Institute - INP - or destined for other purposes, exiting through the transfer box (22) and passing through the supervisory table to its final destination. When producing anhydrous alcohol used for biodiesel production, it must pass through filters to remove excess water.

[031] As an example, for the production of bioplastic using the mobile modular plant (10), it is necessary to add glycerin from biodiesel production, acetic acid and water to the mass, as well as more raw starch from the starch separation system (13), added in proportions according to the raw material used. The mixture is conducted Petition 870220083168, dated 12 / 09 / 2022, p. 13 / 42 10 / 11 to the heating ramp (15) passing through the reactor (16) until it reaches 100°C. Once the bioplastic is ready, it is conveyed by pump (B3) for storage and transport.

[032] As an example, for the production of ethanol / biodiesel using the mobile modular plant (10) it is necessary that the anhydrous alcohol be directed to the reactor (16) in the presence of a catalyst, Potassium hydroxide or sodium methylate, in a joint reaction, a triglyceride is applied in agitation and an average temperature of 45°C, this fat already present in the main reactor (16), where, in the ethyl route, transesterification occurs, releasing the ester molecules from the glycerin in the same reactor (18) in agitation by pump (Bl) being heated. The temperature is increased to 90°C so that all excess alcohol from the transesterification process can be removed via column (20) and by gravity, the product resulting from the transesterification passes to the vessels (19), which at this point become a decanter, with the heavier glycerin being separated from the resulting ester which we call biodiesel, that is, two products stand out at this stage, glycerin and biodiesel.The resulting glycerin will be used for the production of bioplastics as well as for other uses.

[033] By way of example, for the production of foliar fertilizers using the mobile modular plant (10) which offers structure for endothermic and exothermic chemical reactions, as well as allowing salts to be dissolved, filtered and chelated with organic or inorganic chelates hot or cold, it is necessary that to chelate minerals, the mineral be dissolved in the reactor (18) in recirculation with the pump (B1) adding the chelating or complexing reagents, maintaining recirculation for cold processes. For hot processes, the liquid mineral must be passed through heating (15), the liquid must be conducted through the reactor (18) until complete chelation, and the product can also be discharged, when necessary, into the reactor (17) which has agitation blades to complete the reactions. Petition 870220083168, dated 12 / 09 / 2022, page 14 / 42 11 / 11

[034] The mobile modular plant for the production of bioenergy from industrial sweet potatoes or related products offers significant advantages over prior art documents, perfectly fitting the criteria that define a utility model, i.e., it combines and modifies already known elements, bringing a new form or arrangement, resulting in functional improvement in its use or manufacture.

[035] The preferred embodiment of the present utility model has been described, and any modifications and / or alterations should be understood as being within the scope of the utility model presented. Petition 870220083168, dated 12 / 09 / 2022, page 15 / 42

Claims

1 / 2 CLAIMS 1) ARRANGEMENT INTRODUCED IN A MOBILE MODULAR PLANT FOR THE PRODUCTION OF BIOENERGY FROM INDUSTRIAL SWEET POTATOES OR RELATED PRODUCTS, said plant (US) for the production of bioenergy using industrial sweet potatoes (BT) and a container (11), characterized by the modular plant (US) being installed in a 20-foot dry-type shipping container (11) or other similar container for the formation of the mobile modular plant (10), said mobile modular plant (10) integrating an arrangement of equipment (EQ) in which it uses industrial sweet potatoes (BT) for the production of bioenergy, said equipment (EQ) comprising a turbo disintegrator (12) for washing and crushing the industrial sweet potatoes (BT) located near the starch separation system (13),Both direct the resulting mass through a helical rotary pump (B1) to the electrical resistors (14) and heating ramp (15) located near the side entrance (11a) of the container (11) and parallel to a main reactor (16) with a horizontal tubular body (16a) arranged suspended and with an extension near the ceiling (llal) of the container (11) for receiving the sweet potato mass (BT) and subjected to recirculating agitation by pump (B2) that directs to the said main reactor (16) doses of alpha amylase extracted from an auxiliary reactor (17) located parallel to the first fermentation vessel (19), said auxiliary reactor (17) being connected to a cooler (18) with a tubular body and arranged on the outer face (lla2) of the ceiling (llal) for cooling the heated mass to up to 30°C.subsequently conditioned by pump (B3) to the fermentation vessels (19) arranged equidistantly on the inner base (11c) of the container (11); said fermentation vessels (19) also have pipe connections (Tb) with the electrical resistors (14), while a phase separation column (20) parallel to the condenser (21) projects vertically in relation to the outer face (lla2) of the roof (llal) of the container (11) for the release of alcohol by the transfer box (23) provided at the lower end of the condenser (21). 2) ARRANGEMENT INTRODUCED IN A MOBILE MODULAR PLANT FOR THE PRODUCTION OF BIOENERGY FROM INDUSTRIAL SWEET POTATOES OR RELATED PRODUCTS, according to claim 1, and in an alternative version; characterized in that the equipment arrangement (EQ.) of an additional modular plant (10) is installed in a 40-foot container (IV). Petition 870220083168, dated 12 / 09 / 2022, page 17 / 42

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