Biomass continuous liquefaction equipment

Abstract

The problem to be solved is the low rate at which large amounts of agricultural waste and household garbage are generated in our neighborhoods and are utilized as energy due to the time and cost involved in collecting and transporting them. [Solution] Biomass, etc. is continuously compressed and heated in this state to create a subcritical state in which the internal moisture of the biomass, etc. is converted into water vapor, and the H+ ions and OH- ions produced in this process hydrolyze the biomass, etc., into low molecular weight substances, turning them into crude oil-like substances. The continuous liquefaction device continuously creates a subcritical state by heating the biomass, etc., scraped in from the bottom of the cylinder 3 with a heating device 5 on the way to the top while compressing it with a screw 2, turning the biomass, etc. into low molecular weight substances, and discharging the liquefied material from the cylinder as needed.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] This invention relates to an apparatus for continuously liquefying biomass or the like into a crude oil-like substance. [Background technology]

[0002] Various attempts have been made to utilize biomass as an energy source. In the past, there was firewood, charcoal, and briquettes, but in recent years there have been pellets and biochar, and these are all practical and sufficient as alternative fuels to coal.

[0003] However, pellets and biochar have the disadvantage that they are solid and therefore difficult to handle, and they produce ash after combustion.

[0004] In addition, for heating purposes, kerosene and electricity have already been increasingly used as alternatives, and pellets are less attractive due to the labor required, while biochar is not price competitive when used in coal-fired power plants.

[0005] As a solution to this problem, pellets have been made from biomass (farm residues and household waste) close to the consumption area, but even this method has problems such as the generation of ash after combustion and the risk of fire during storage. [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0006] [Non-Patent Document 1] "Toward the creation of a local recycling system using rice straw pellets - Report - March 2014, Nanporo Town, Hokkaido Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] The problem to be solved is the low rate at which large amounts of agricultural waste and household garbage are generated in our neighborhoods and are utilized as energy due to the time and cost involved in collecting and transporting them. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] This invention continuously compresses biomass and other materials and heats them in this state to create a subcritical state in which the internal moisture of the biomass is converted into steam. The H+ ions and OH- ions produced in this process hydrolyze the biomass and other materials, breaking them down into smaller molecules and turning them into a crude oil-like substance. Effect of the Invention

[0009] The continuous liquefaction device of this invention continuously creates a subcritical state by heating the biomass, etc., fed into the bottom of a cylinder while compressing it with a screw and sending it to the top, thereby breaking down the biomass, etc. into smaller molecules, and discharging the liquefied material from the cylinder as needed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a biomass continuous liquefaction apparatus. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] The screw conveyor is positioned vertically, pressure is maintained by the transported material, and a heating device is used to create a vertical temperature distribution, resulting in a system in which the liquefied material is separated into solid and liquid in the vertical direction under each temperature and pressure condition. EXAMPLES

[0012] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the device of the present invention.

[0013] The biomass, etc. is pushed into the screw 1 by the raking blade 1. The compressed biomass, etc. moves upward in the cylinder 3. As the biomass, etc. approaches the heating device 5, it is heated.

[0014] In general, it is said that hemicellulose begins to decompose at around 150°C, cellulose at around 250°C, and lignin at around 300°C.

[0015] The contained moisture and decomposition products vaporize at high temperatures and reach a critical state according to the temperature and pressure, accelerating the breakdown into smaller molecules and liquefaction.

[0016] The liquefied material is discharged to the outside through slits 4 provided at appropriate intervals.

[0017] In the groove of the screw, heating, pressurization, liquefaction, and solid-liquid separation are carried out in sequence. The ash and char are consolidated in the pressure cone 6 to maintain the back pressure.

[0018] By adopting this type of vertical feeder, it is possible to achieve a vertical temperature distribution and a corresponding pressure distribution. As a result, as the material is sent upward, it gradually liquefies, and the material separates into solid and liquid due to its specific gravity. By passing the material through a slit, the effect of solid-liquid separation can be enhanced. EXAMPLES

[0019] The raking blade can be surrounded by a case and biomass, etc. can be supplied from a hopper or the like, and the heating device can be not only an electric heater but also a dielectric heater or a high-frequency heater. [Industrial Applicability]

[0020] Not only can it liquefy biomass, but it can also carbonize or gasify it depending on the temperature conditions.

[0021] 1. Sweeping blade 2 Screw 3 Cylinder 4 Slit 5 Heating device 6 Pressure Cone 7 Drive motor

Claims

[Claim 1] A device that uses a vertical screw to continuously feed biomass and other materials and heat them to convert them into a crude oil-like substance.

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