Residue treatment plant and method for producing moldings

Abstract

To enable disposal of residue from fermentation liquid used in producing distillates containing alcohol at a residue treatment plant.SOLUTION: A residue treatment plant 10 includes: a solid-liquid separation device 60 that separates solids from a solid-liquid mixture containing residue from fermentation liquid used in producing distillates containing alcohol; a drying device 70 that dries the solids separated by the solid-liquid separation device 60 to obtain dried material; and a molding device 80 that shapes the dried material obtained by the drying device 70 into a predetermined state. The residue treatment plant 10 enables utilization of the residue from the fermentation liquid used in producing distillates.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a residue processing plant for processing the residue of a fermentation broth used in the production of a distillate containing alcohol such as ethanol, and a method for producing a molded product. [Background technology]

[0002] Distillates containing alcohol such as ethanol include distilled spirits, fuel alcohol, industrial alcohol, etc. In the production process of such distillates, the raw material fermentation liquid is heated using a still, and the vapor is cooled and condensed, repeatedly to purify the distillate.

[0003] In addition, Patent Document 1 below discloses a structure in a shochu biomass fuel plant having a multi-layer distillation section, in which the distillate discharged from the cooler is passed through an oil-water separator that separates the ethanol from the water, and the resulting ethanol is sent to the multi-layer distillation section and re-distilled, and a distillation reflux line is provided. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-62802 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the process of producing distillates containing alcohol, residues are generated from the fermentation liquid used in the production of the distillate. Conventionally, such residues have usually been discarded. If the residues could be effectively utilized, the costs of producing distillates could be reduced.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a residue processing plant and a method for producing a molded product that effectively processes the residue of a fermentation liquid used in the production of alcohol-containing distillates for beverages, industrial use, or fuel. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The residue processing plant of the first invention is a residue processing plant comprising a solid-liquid separation device that separates solids from a solid-liquid mixture containing residues of a fermentation liquid used in the production of an alcohol-containing distillate, a drying device that dries the solids separated by the solid-liquid separation device to obtain a dried product, and a molding device that molds the dried product obtained by the drying device into a predetermined shape.

[0008] This configuration makes it possible to utilize the residue of the fermentation liquid used in the production of the distillate.

[0009] Furthermore, the residue treatment plant of the second invention is a residue treatment plant according to the first invention, which is further equipped with a reaction tank in which a fermentation broth waste liquid containing residue is reacted with a flocculant added to the waste liquid to flocculate the residue, and the solid-liquid separation device is configured to separate solids from the solid-liquid mixture containing the flocculated residue in the reaction tank.

[0010] This configuration allows the residue of the fermentation liquid to be utilized more efficiently.

[0011] Furthermore, the residue processing plant of the third invention is the residue processing plant of the first or second invention, in which the solid-liquid separation device is a filter press.

[0012] With this configuration, solids can be separated efficiently.

[0013] Furthermore, the residue treatment plant of the fourth invention is a residue treatment plant according to any one of the first to third inventions, which is equipped with a liquid treatment tank for treating the liquid separated by the solid-liquid separation device with microorganisms, and is capable of discharging the liquid after treatment in the liquid treatment tank.

[0014] With this configuration, the residual fermentation liquid can be utilized while minimizing the load on the surrounding area.

[0015] Furthermore, the method for producing a shaped product of the fifth invention is a method for producing a shaped product that uses a residue processing plant equipped with a solid-liquid separation device, a drying device, and a molding device that can mold solids into granules, and includes a solid-liquid separation step in which a solid-liquid mixture containing a residue of a fermentation liquor used in the production of an alcohol-containing distillate is introduced into the solid-liquid separation device to separate the solid, a drying step in which the solid separated by the solid-liquid separation device is dried using the drying device, and a molding step in which the dried material obtained by the drying device is molded into granules using the molding device.

[0016] With this configuration, the residue can be used as an easily usable solid fuel. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] The residue processing plant according to the invention makes it possible to utilize the residues of fermentation liquors used in the production of alcohol-containing distillates. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a residue processing plant according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] A flowchart showing an example of a method for manufacturing a molded product using the residue processing plant. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 shows an example of the change in the morphology of residues in a molding manufacturing method using the residue processing plant. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] Hereinafter, embodiments of a residue processing plant and the like will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, a distillate refers to a product obtained by using a liquid containing alcohol, such as ethanol produced by a fermentation process, as a raw material, and by subjecting the liquid to a process of concentrating or purifying the alcohol component (distillation process) using evaporation by heating and condensation by cooling. This product may include, but is not limited to, distilled spirits, fuel alcohol, and industrial alcohol. Distilled spirits may be referred to as drinking alcohol with a relatively high alcohol content, and may include, for example, gin, whiskey, vodka, rum, and the like. Fuel alcohol may also be referred to as bioethanol. Industrial alcohol may include products containing alcohol, such as ethanol, that are used as raw materials or solvents in chemical synthesis.

[0020] (Embodiment)

[0021] An overview of this embodiment is as follows. In this embodiment, the distillate is assumed to be distilled spirits. The residue treatment plant includes a solid-liquid separation device into which a solid-liquid mixture containing the residue of the fermentation liquor used in the production of distilled spirits is introduced, a drying device that dries the solid separated by the solid-liquid separation device, and a molding device (e.g., a granulator) that molds the dried product that has been dried by the drying device. The residue treatment plant also preferably includes a reaction tank in which a waste liquid containing the residue is mixed with a flocculant, and is configured so that the waste liquid flocculated in the reaction tank is introduced into the solid-liquid separation device as a solid-liquid mixture. A filter press, for example, can be used as the solid-liquid separation device. The liquid separated by the solid-liquid separation device is preferably treated in a liquid treatment tank containing microorganisms. A residue treatment plant having such a configuration will be described below.

[0022] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a residue processing plant 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] As shown in the figure, residue processing plant 10 includes a reaction tank 50, a buffer tank 52, a solid-liquid separator 60, a liquid processing tank 65, a drying device 70, and a molding device 80. Residue processing plant 10 can be configured as a single circulation system as a whole together with a still 20 for heating the fermentation liquid and a heat source unit 5 for heating still 20 in, for example, a distilled spirits production plant (an example of a distillate production plant) that produces distilled spirits.

[0024] Fermented liquid such as mash, which is a raw material for distilled alcohol, is placed in still 20. Still 20 is configured to heat the fermented liquid using the heat source from heat source unit 5 and emit vapor containing alcohol.

[0025] The heat source unit 5 is, for example, a boiler that burns solid fuel, but is not limited to this, and may be configured to burn other types of fuel, such as liquid fuel.

[0026] When the distilled spirits production process using still 20 is completed, a residue of the fermented liquid remains in still 20. The residue is solid matter contained in the waste liquid of the fermented liquid, but waste liquid containing solid matter may also be called residue. The waste liquid containing the residue remaining in still 20 is transferred to buffer tank 52, for example, via a pipeline or the like installed in still 20 or the distilled spirits production plant that uses it. Note that the waste liquid containing the residue may also be removed from still 20 by other methods, transported to buffer tank 52, or the like.

[0027] That is, the residue generated in still 20 is first stored in buffer tank 52. Buffer tank 52 may also be referred to as a primary residue storage tank. Although buffer tank 52 is described here as being included in residue processing plant 10, it may also be interpreted as not being included in residue processing plant 10. Buffer tank 52 may also be considered to be included in the distilled spirits production plant.

[0028] In the buffer tank 52, the amount of waste liquid is measured.

[0029] The residue stored in the buffer tank 52 and a flocculant determined based on the measurement results of the amount of wastewater are added to the reaction tank 50. The residue reacts with the added flocculant, causing the residue to flocculate. That is, in the reaction tank 50, the wastewater of the fermentation broth containing the residue reacts with the flocculant added to the wastewater, causing the residue to flocculate.

[0030] The flocculant may be, for example, an anion, a cation, slaked lime, or the like, but is not limited to these.

[0031] The solid-liquid separator 60 separates solids from a solid-liquid mixture containing residues of the fermentation liquid used in the production of distilled spirits. In this embodiment, the solid-liquid separator 60 is configured to separate solids from a solid-liquid mixture containing residues flocculated in the reaction tank 50.

[0032] The solid-liquid separator 60 is, for example, a filter press, and the residue can be efficiently discharged as a dehydrated cake by performing pressure filtration using the solid-liquid separator 60. Note that the solid-liquid separator 60 is not limited to a filter press, and may be, for example, a device that separates solids using the principle of centrifugation or the like.

[0033] The liquid treatment tank 65 treats the liquid separated by the solid-liquid separator 60. In this embodiment, the liquid treatment tank 65 has a liquid tank containing microorganisms suitable for treating the separated liquid. Components such as organic matter contained in the separated liquid are decomposed by the microorganisms in the liquid treatment tank 65. The treatment is not limited to this. The liquid treatment tank 65 is capable of discharging the treated liquid. By performing such treatment, it is possible to discharge wastewater whose BOD value (biochemical oxygen demand) falls within an appropriate range, for example, and the residue treatment plant 10 can be operated with a smaller load on the surrounding environment, etc.

[0034] The dryer 70 dries the solid separated by the solid-liquid separator 60. This produces a dried product. In the present embodiment, the dryer 70 is, for example, a hot air dryer used to dry dehydrated cake, but may be one that performs drying by other methods.

[0035] In the drying device 70 , the solid separated by the solid-liquid separator 60 is dried until the moisture content reaches a level suitable for molding by the molding device 80 .

[0036] The molding device 80 molds the dried material obtained by the drying device 70 into a predetermined shape. The molding device 80 is, for example, a granulator, and molds the dried material into granules. In this embodiment, the molding device 80 is a pelletizer capable of producing pellets (an example of a molded product). Molding into a predetermined shape may also include shaping into an irregular shape. For example, the molding device 80 may mold the dried material into flakes (an example of a molded product) having an irregular shape. The molding device 80 may have a drying function, in which case the drying device 70 and the molding device 80 may be physically configured as a single device.

[0037] Next, a description will be given of a method for treating residue using the residue treatment plant 10. In this embodiment, the method for treating residue can be said to be a method for producing a molded product that can be used as solid fuel.

[0038] FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing an example of a method for producing a molded product using the residue treatment plant 10.

[0039] (Step S21) First, measure the amount of waste liquid stored in the buffer tank 52, that is, the amount of residue to be flocculated in the reaction tank 50. Then, based on the measurement result, determine the amount of flocculant to be added.

[0040] (Step S22) Next, the waste liquid is transferred to the reaction tank 50, and a determined amount of flocculant is added. As a result, in the reaction tank 50, the residue is flocculated using the flocculant.

[0041] (Step S23) The flocculated residue is transferred to the solid-liquid separator 60 to separate the solids. The separated liquid is subjected to treatment in the liquid treatment tank 65, for example, as described above.

[0042] (Step S24) The separated solid is dried in the drying device 70. The solid is dried until it has a moisture content suitable for forming into granules (for example, pellets).

[0043] (Step S25) The dried solid is molded in the molding device 80. As a result, a pellet-shaped molded product is obtained.

[0044] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of changes in the morphology of residues in a method for producing molded products using the residue processing plant 10. In FIG.

[0045] In the figure, as shown by the symbol S51, in the raw state, solid residues are mixed in the waste liquid, making it a cloudy liquid overall. For example, the concentration of solids (residues) in the waste liquid shown here is 6.3% TS.

[0046] As shown by reference symbol S52, when a flocculant is added, residual flocs are formed, which facilitates the separation of the liquid containing no solids and facilitates solid-liquid separation.

[0047] When the flocculated residue is subjected to solid-liquid separation, a residue in a dehydrated cake state as shown by reference numeral S54 is obtained. For example, the moisture content of the residue in a dehydrated cake state shown here is 74.2%.

[0048] The residue in the dehydrated cake state is dried and molded into pellets as shown by the reference numeral S55. For example, the moisture content of each pellet is 23%.

[0049] The concentration of solids in the waste liquid and the water content of the residue in each step may vary depending on various conditions and situations.

[0050] If 3 tons of fermentation liquid is used to produce distilled liquor and the residue is used to produce a shaped product using the above-mentioned production method, the weight of the residue or waste liquid containing it in each process will be, for example, as follows.

[0051] That is, after the distillation process in still 20 is completed, the weight of the waste liquid (distillation residue) of the fermentation liquid containing solids is 2760 kg.

[0052] The waste liquid is flocculated, and the weight of the solid content of the dehydrated cake obtained through the solid-liquid separation process is 460 kg. Here, the moisture content is, for example, 67%.

[0053] Furthermore, the weight of the pellets obtained after the drying and shaping processes is 187 kg, and the moisture content is, for example, 19%.

[0054] In other words, as a result of distilling 3 tons of fermentation liquid, in addition to the distilled spirits obtained, 187 kg of pellets that can be used as solid fuel will be obtained.

[0055] As described above, according to this embodiment, the residue of the fermentation liquid used in the production of distilled spirits can be obtained as a dried material in a predetermined state, so that the residue can be used effectively. In addition, the residue can be easily disposed of. The obtained dried material can be used as solid fuel, so that by-products of the production of distilled spirits can be effectively used as energy.

[0056] In producing the shaped product, the residue is flocculated and a solid-liquid separator is used, so that the solid residue can be separated more efficiently to obtain the shaped product. Furthermore, the liquid after the solid-liquid separation can be treated in a liquid treatment tank and then discharged, so that the fermentation liquid residue can be reused with less load on the surrounding area.

[0057] The molding is formed into granular, particularly pellet-like, shapes, so that the molding can be easily handled when used.

[0058] The residue processing method using the residue processing plant 10 as described above can be expressed as follows: That is, the residue processing method is a method for producing a shaped product carried out using a residue processing plant equipped with a solid-liquid separator, a dryer, and a molding device capable of molding solids into granules, and includes a solid-liquid separation step of introducing a solid-liquid mixture containing the residue of the fermentation liquor used in the production of distilled spirits into the solid-liquid separator to separate the solid, a drying step of drying the solid separated by the solid-liquid separator using the dryer, and a molding step of molding the dried product obtained by the dryer into granules using the molding device.

[0059] (others)

[0060] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible, and these modifications are also included within the scope of the present invention. For example, a solid-liquid mixture containing a residue of a fermentation liquid used not only in the production of distilled alcohol but also in the production of fuel alcohol or industrial alcohol may be utilized.

[0061] For example, the present invention is not limited to the configurations of the above-described embodiments, and some of the components and functions of the above-described embodiments may be omitted. Also, modifications may be made, such as adding other components, in order to use known methods for producing distillates. [Industrial Applicability]

[0062] As described above, the residue processing plant of the present invention has the effect of being able to utilize the residue of the fermentation liquid used in the production of an alcohol-containing distillate, and is useful as a residue processing plant, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 10 Residue Treatment Plant 50 reactors 52 Buffer Tank 60 Solid-liquid separator 65 Liquid treatment tank 70 Drying apparatus 80 Forming Device

Claims

1. a solid-liquid separator for separating solids from a solid-liquid mixture containing a residue of a fermentation liquor used in the production of an alcohol-containing distillate; a drying device for drying the solid separated by the solid-liquid separator to obtain a dried product; a molding device that molds the dried material obtained by the drying device into a predetermined shape.

2. a reaction tank in which the waste liquid of the fermentation liquid containing the residue reacts with a flocculant added to the waste liquid to flocculate the residue, 2. The residue processing plant of claim 1, wherein the solid-liquid separator is configured to separate solids from a solid-liquid mixture containing the residue flocculated in the reaction vessel.

3. 2. The residue processing plant according to claim 1, wherein the solid-liquid separation device is a filter press.

4. a liquid treatment tank for treating the liquid separated by the solid-liquid separation device with microorganisms; 2. The residue treatment plant according to claim 1, wherein the liquid after treatment in the liquid treatment tank can be discharged.

5. A method for producing a molded product using a residue processing plant including a solid-liquid separator, a drying device, and a molding device capable of molding a solid into granules, a solid-liquid separation step of introducing a solid-liquid mixture containing a residue of a fermentation liquid used in the production of an alcohol-containing distillate into the solid-liquid separator and separating solids; a drying step of drying the solid separated by the solid-liquid separator using the drying device; and a molding step of molding the dried material obtained by the drying device into granules using the molding device.

Images