Hydrocarbon production plant

Abstract

Provided is a hydrocarbon production device capable of reducing the production cost of hydrocarbons and improving the recovery rate of hydrocarbons. The hydrocarbon production device of the present invention includes: an electrolysis device that electrolyzes water to produce hydrogen and oxygen; an ethanol production device that includes a fermentation section that ferments a biomass raw material or an organic raw material obtained from a biomass raw material to produce ethanol, carbon dioxide, and fermentation residue, and a boiler that is supplied with oxygen produced by the electrolysis device, burns a fuel containing the fermentation residue produced by the fermentation section in the presence of the oxygen to produce carbon dioxide; and a hydrocarbon production device that is supplied with hydrogen produced by the electrolysis device and carbon dioxide produced by the fermentation section and the boiler of the ethanol production device, and produces hydrocarbons from the hydrogen and the carbon dioxide.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a hydrocarbon manufacturing apparatus. Background Technology

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a hydrocarbon manufacturing apparatus comprising: an electrolysis device that electrolyzes water to generate hydrogen and oxygen; an ethanol generation device that decomposes sugars to generate ethanol and carbon dioxide; and a hydrocarbon generation device that reacts carbon dioxide and hydrogen to generate hydrocarbons (claim 1).

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-019425 Summary of the Invention

[0004] In conventional hydrocarbon production facilities, fermentation residue is generated in the fermentation section of the ethanol generation unit. Even when this residue undergoes residual fermentation, difficult-to-decompose organic matter remains as part of the residue. Previously, this residual fermentation residue was not effectively utilized and was discarded, resulting in waste disposal costs.

[0005] In conventional hydrocarbon production plants, air is typically used as the combustion gas for the boilers in ethanol generation units. In this case, the concentration of carbon dioxide in the exhaust gas from the boiler is low, and concentration is costly, thus its utilization is not efficient. If low-concentration carbon dioxide is supplied to the hydrocarbon generation unit without concentration, the hydrocarbon recovery rate decreases, which is undesirable.

[0006] The present invention was made in view of the above circumstances, and its object is to provide a hydrocarbon manufacturing apparatus that can reduce the manufacturing cost of hydrocarbons and improve the hydrocarbon recovery rate.

[0007] The first hydrocarbon manufacturing apparatus of the present invention comprises:

[0008] An electrolysis device that electrolyzes water to produce hydrogen and oxygen;

[0009] An ethanol generation apparatus includes a fermentation section and a boiler. The fermentation section ferments biomass feedstock or organic feedstock obtained from the biomass feedstock to produce ethanol, carbon dioxide, and fermentation residue. The boiler is supplied with oxygen generated by the electrolysis unit, and in the presence of this oxygen, fuel containing the fermentation residue generated by the fermentation section is burned to produce carbon dioxide.

[0010] A hydrocarbon generation device is supplied with hydrogen generated by the electrolysis device and with carbon dioxide generated by the fermentation section and the boiler of the ethanol generation device, and hydrocarbons are generated from the hydrogen and the carbon dioxide.

[0011] The second hydrocarbon manufacturing apparatus of the present invention comprises:

[0012] An electrolysis device that electrolyzes water to produce hydrogen and oxygen;

[0013] An ethanol generation apparatus includes a fermentation section, a residue fermentation section, and a boiler. The fermentation section ferments biomass feedstock or organic feedstock obtained from the biomass feedstock to produce ethanol, carbon dioxide, and fermentation residue. The residue fermentation section ferments the fermentation residue to produce methane gas and fermentation residue. The boiler is supplied with oxygen generated by the electrolysis unit. In the presence of this oxygen, fuel containing the fermentation residue generated by the fermentation section and / or the residue fermentation section is burned to produce carbon dioxide.

[0014] A hydrocarbon generation device is supplied with hydrogen generated by the electrolysis device and with carbon dioxide generated by the fermentation section and the boiler of the ethanol generation device, and hydrocarbons are generated from the hydrogen and the carbon dioxide.

[0015] In the first and second hydrocarbon manufacturing apparatuses of the present invention, oxygen generated as a byproduct in the electrolysis unit and carbon dioxide generated as a byproduct in the ethanol generation unit can be effectively utilized, thereby reducing the cost of hydrocarbon manufacturing.

[0016] In the first and second hydrocarbon manufacturing apparatuses of the present invention, the fermentation residue generated by the fermentation section and / or the residue fermentation section is used as fuel for the boiler. Therefore, the waste disposal cost of the fermentation residue can be reduced, and the fuel cost of the boiler can be reduced, thereby reducing the cost of hydrocarbon manufacturing.

[0017] In the boiler of the ethanol generation unit, high concentrations of carbon dioxide can be obtained even without the use of a concentration unit by burning fuel using oxygen generated by an electrolysis unit.

[0018] The carbon dioxide produced by the fermentation section of the ethanol generation unit can be high-concentration carbon dioxide.

[0019] The hydrocarbon generation unit can use the high concentration of carbon dioxide generated by the fermentation section and boiler of the ethanol generation unit to generate hydrocarbons and can improve the hydrocarbon recovery rate.

[0020] Invention Effects

[0021] According to the present invention, a hydrocarbon manufacturing apparatus is provided that can reduce the manufacturing cost of hydrocarbons and improve the hydrocarbon recovery rate. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of a hydrocarbon manufacturing plant.

[0023] Figure 2 This is a diagram showing a structural example of an ethanol generation apparatus that includes a residue fermentation section.

[0024] Figure 3 This is a diagram showing a structural example of an ethanol generation apparatus that does not include a residue fermentation section. Detailed Implementation

[0025] [Hydrocarbon manufacturing unit]

[0026] refer to Figures 1-3 The present invention will now describe a hydrocarbon manufacturing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] like Figure 1 As shown, the hydrocarbon manufacturing apparatus 1 of this embodiment includes:

[0028] Electrolysis device 2, which electrolyzes water to produce hydrogen (H2) and oxygen (O2);

[0029] Ethanol generating unit 3 is supplied with oxygen (O2) generated by electrolysis unit 2, which ferments biomass feedstock or organic feedstock obtained from biomass feedstock to produce ethanol (EtOH) and carbon dioxide (CO2); and

[0030] Hydrocarbon generating unit 4 is supplied with hydrogen (H2) generated by electrolysis unit 2 and carbon dioxide (CO2) generated by ethanol generating unit 3, and hydrocarbons (e.g., C2) are generated from hydrogen (H2) and carbon dioxide (CO2). n H 2n+2 ).

[0031] The hydrocarbon manufacturing apparatus 1 may include a hydrogen supply unit 5, which includes one or more gas pipes connecting the electrolysis unit 2 and the hydrocarbon generation unit 4, and supplies hydrogen (H2) generated by the electrolysis unit 2 to the hydrocarbon generation unit 4.

[0032] The hydrocarbon manufacturing apparatus 1 may include an oxygen supply unit 6, which includes one or more gas pipes connecting the electrolysis unit 2 and the ethanol generation unit 3, and supplies oxygen (O2) generated by the electrolysis unit 2 to the ethanol generation unit 3.

[0033] The hydrocarbon production apparatus 1 is equipped with a carbon dioxide supply unit 7, which includes one or more gas pipes connecting the ethanol generation unit 3 and the hydrocarbon generation unit 4, and supplies carbon dioxide (CO2) generated by the ethanol generation unit 3 to the hydrocarbon generation unit 4.

[0034] Electrolysis device 2 electrolyzes water using a known method to produce hydrogen and oxygen.

[0035] It can use electricity supplied from external power sources such as solar panels to synthesize methylcyclohexane (MCH) and oxygen (O2) from water and toluene via an organic hydride electrolysis method. Hydrogen (H2) can be separated from the generated methylcyclohexane (MCH). Methylcyclohexane (MCH) is a liquid at room temperature, making hydrogen (H2) easy to separate.

[0036] Hydrocarbon generation device 4 generates hydrocarbons (e.g., C) by reacting carbon dioxide (CO2) with hydrogen (H2) using a known method. n H 2n+2 The following shows an example of a reaction scheme.

[0037] nCO2 + (3n+1)H2 → C n H 2n+2 +2nH2O

[0038] In the above formula, n is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0039] As a hydrocarbon, methane (CH4) is an example. Methane (CH4) can be distilled and liquefied for use as a synthetic liquid fuel.

[0040] Hydrocarbons can be fuels suitable for transportation, i.e., hydrocarbons with n of 5 or more and 13 or less.

[0041] Water, a byproduct of hydrocarbon generation unit 4, can be utilized in electrolysis unit 2 and / or ethanol generation unit 3.

[0042] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the ethanol generating apparatus 3 includes a fermentation section 32 that ferments biomass raw materials or organic raw materials obtained from biomass raw materials to generate ethanol (EtOH), carbon dioxide (CO2) and fermentation residue (Res).

[0043] Figure 2 This is a diagram showing a structural example of an ethanol generation apparatus that includes a residue fermentation section.

[0044] Figure 3 This is a diagram showing a structural example of an ethanol generation apparatus that does not include a residue fermentation section.

[0045] Examples of biomass raw materials include sugarcane, molasses (waste molasses), sugar beets, rice, wheat, corn, potatoes, sweet potatoes, cassava, sage grass (a perennial herbaceous plant of the Poaceae family), rapeseed, soybeans, peanuts, timber, rice straw, rice husks, wheat straw, seaweed, leftover food, and combinations thereof.

[0046] The ethanol generating apparatus 3 may also include a pretreatment section 30 and / or a saccharification section 31 as needed.

[0047] The pretreatment unit 30 is capable of separating cellulose, which is a polysaccharide, from externally supplied biomass raw materials.

[0048] The saccharification section 31 can use a saccharifying enzyme to break down polysaccharides supplied from the pretreatment section 30 and / or externally into monosaccharides or oligosaccharides. Examples of externally supplied polysaccharides include corn.

[0049] The ethanol generating apparatus 3 may also include, as needed, a saccharifying enzyme manufacturing unit for producing saccharifying enzymes by known methods and / or a yeast manufacturing unit for producing yeast by known methods.

[0050] The saccharifying enzyme manufacturing unit can manufacture saccharifying enzymes in the presence of oxygen (O2) supplied from the electrolysis unit 2. The yeast manufacturing unit can manufacture yeast in the presence of oxygen (O2) supplied from the electrolysis unit 2.

[0051] Fermentation section 32 can use yeast to decompose monosaccharides or oligosaccharides supplied from saccharification section 31 and / or externally to produce ethanol (EtOH) and carbon dioxide (CO2). Examples of externally supplied oligosaccharides include sugarcane. Fermentation can be carried out continuously or in batches.

[0052] The ethanol generating unit 3 may also include a distillation section 33 as needed.

[0053] The ethanol (EtOH) produced by the fermentation section 32 is supplied to the distillation section 33, where it can be distilled. The distilled ethanol (EtOH) can be effectively utilized as so-called bioethanol.

[0054] like Figure 2 As shown, the ethanol generating apparatus 3 may also include a residue fermentation section 33 as needed.

[0055] The residue fermentation section 33 enables the fermentation residue (Res) discharged from the fermentation section 32 to undergo methane fermentation to generate biogas (specifically, methane gas (CH4)), carbon dioxide (CO2), and fermentation residue (Res). The generated methane gas (CH4) can be supplied to the boiler 34 as fuel.

[0056] When the ethanol generating apparatus 3 includes a saccharification section 31, the fermentation residue (Res) discharged from the saccharification section 31 can be supplied to the residue fermentation section 33.

[0057] Fermentation section 32 and / or residue fermentation section 33 can carry out fermentation in the presence of oxygen (O2) supplied from electrolysis unit 2.

[0058] The ethanol generating unit 3 also includes a boiler 34, which is supplied with oxygen (O2) generated by the electrolysis unit 2 and, in the presence of the oxygen (O2), combusts the fuel to generate water vapor and carbon dioxide (CO2).

[0059] In the case that the ethanol generating unit 3 does not include the residue fermentation section 33, the fuel for the boiler 34 includes the fermentation residue (Res) generated by the fermentation section 32.

[0060] When the ethanol generating unit 3 includes a residue fermentation section 33, the fuel of the boiler 34 includes fermentation residue (Res) generated by the fermentation section 32 and / or the residue fermentation section 33, and may include methane gas (CH4) generated by the residue fermentation section 33 as needed.

[0061] When the ethanol generating unit 3 includes a saccharification section 31, the fuel in the boiler 34 can include fermentation residue (Res) generated by the saccharification section 31.

[0062] The fermentation residue (Res) generated by the fermentation section 32, the residue fermentation section 33, or the saccharification section 31 can be dehydrated as needed and used as fuel.

[0063] The boiler 34 can also contain fuel supplied from outside as needed.

[0064] Steam generated by boiler 34 is supplied to pretreatment section 30 and / or distillation section 33 and can be used as a heat source. Waste heat from pretreatment section 30 is supplied to distillation section 33 and can be used as a heat source for the distillation process.

[0065] A steam turbine can be connected to a boiler 34 and used to generate electricity using the steam produced by the boiler 34.

[0066] In the hydrocarbon manufacturing apparatus 1 of this embodiment, oxygen (O2) generated as a byproduct in the electrolysis unit 2 and carbon dioxide (CO2) generated as a byproduct in the ethanol generation unit 3 can be effectively utilized, and the cost of hydrocarbon manufacturing can be reduced.

[0067] In the hydrocarbon manufacturing apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the fermentation residue (Res) generated by the fermentation section 32 and / or the residue fermentation section 33 is used as fuel for the boiler 34. Therefore, the waste disposal cost of the fermentation residue (Res) can be reduced, and the fuel cost of the boiler 34 can be reduced, thereby reducing the cost of hydrocarbon manufacturing.

[0068] In the boiler 34 of the ethanol generation unit 3, high concentrations of carbon dioxide can be obtained even without using a concentration unit by burning fuel using oxygen (O2) generated by the electrolysis unit 2.

[0069] The carbon dioxide (CO2) generated by the fermentation section 32 of the ethanol generating unit 3 can be high concentration carbon dioxide.

[0070] In the hydrocarbon generation unit 4, high-concentration carbon dioxide generated by the fermentation section 32 and boiler 34 of the ethanol generation unit 3 can be used to generate hydrocarbons, and the hydrocarbon recovery rate can be improved.

[0071] The ethanol generating unit 3 may, as needed, include a carbon dioxide storage unit 35 (e.g., a gas tank) that stores carbon dioxide (CO2) generated by the fermentation unit 32 and / or boiler 34 of the ethanol generating unit 3.

[0072] The hydrocarbon manufacturing unit 1 can also be equipped with an algae cultivation unit, an organic acid synthesis unit, or a fertilizer generation unit as needed.

[0073] The algae growth device can use carbon dioxide and / or ethanol generated by the ethanol generation device 3, oxygen generated by the electrolysis device 2, or a combination thereof, to grow algae such as Algae and Euglena, and to grow fish as needed.

[0074] The organic acid synthesis unit can use carbon dioxide generated by the ethanol generation unit 3, water (a byproduct of the hydrocarbon generation unit 4), or a combination thereof, to synthesize organic acids such as acetic acid and formic acid. The organic acids generated by the organic acid synthesis unit can be supplied to the ethanol generation unit 3.

[0075] The fertilizer generating device can react the carbon dioxide generated by the ethanol generating device 3 with nitrogen separated from the atmosphere to produce ammonia and urea, which can be used as fertilizers.

[0076] As explained above, according to this embodiment, a hydrocarbon manufacturing apparatus 1 can be provided that can reduce the manufacturing cost of hydrocarbons and improve the hydrocarbon recovery rate.

[0077] This invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. As long as the spirit of this invention is not departed, appropriate design changes can be made.

[0078] Symbol Explanation

[0079] 1-Hydrocarbon manufacturing unit, 2-Electrolysis unit, 3-Ethanol generating unit, 4-Hydrocarbon generating unit, 32-Fermentation section, 33-Residue fermentation section, 34-Boiler, 35-Carbon dioxide storage section, Res-Fermentation residue.

Claims

1. A hydrocarbon manufacturing apparatus, characterized in that, have: An electrolysis device that electrolyzes water to produce hydrogen and oxygen; An ethanol generation apparatus includes a fermentation section and a boiler. The fermentation section ferments biomass feedstock or organic feedstock obtained from the biomass feedstock to produce ethanol, carbon dioxide, and fermentation residue. The boiler is supplied with oxygen generated by the electrolysis unit, and in the presence of this oxygen, fuel containing the fermentation residue generated by the fermentation section is burned to produce carbon dioxide. A hydrocarbon generation device is supplied with hydrogen generated by the electrolysis device and with carbon dioxide generated by the fermentation section and the boiler of the ethanol generation device, and hydrocarbons are generated from the hydrogen and the carbon dioxide.

2. A hydrocarbon manufacturing apparatus, characterized in that, have: An electrolysis device that electrolyzes water to produce hydrogen and oxygen; An ethanol generation apparatus includes a fermentation section, a residue fermentation section, and a boiler. The fermentation section ferments biomass feedstock or organic feedstock obtained from the biomass feedstock to produce ethanol, carbon dioxide, and fermentation residue. The residue fermentation section ferments the fermentation residue to produce methane gas and fermentation residue. The boiler is supplied with oxygen generated by the electrolysis unit. In the presence of this oxygen, fuel containing the fermentation residue generated by the fermentation section and / or the residue fermentation section is burned to produce carbon dioxide. A hydrocarbon generation device is supplied with hydrogen generated by the electrolysis device and with carbon dioxide generated by the fermentation section and the boiler of the ethanol generation device, and hydrocarbons are generated from the hydrogen and the carbon dioxide.

3. The hydrocarbon manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The ethanol generating apparatus includes a carbon dioxide storage unit that stores the carbon dioxide generated by the fermentation unit and / or the boiler of the ethanol generating apparatus. The carbon dioxide stored in the carbon dioxide storage section is supplied to the hydrocarbon generation device.

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