Biochar production system, biochar production vehicle, and biochar production method

Abstract

Making effective use of the energy generated during the biochar production process. [Solution] The biochar production system 2 is designed to be mounted on a vehicle and produces biochar from biomass raw materials. The biochar production system 2 includes a drying device 12 for drying the biomass raw materials, a pyrolysis furnace 13 for pyrolyzing the dried biomass raw materials, a power generation device 10 that generates electricity using the pyrolysis gas generated in the pyrolysis furnace 13, and a first gas flow path 14 for supplying the pyrolysis gas generated in the pyrolysis furnace 13 to the power generation device 10 via the drying device 12. The power generation device 10 generates electricity using the pyrolysis gas supplied from the first gas flow path 14.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a biochar production system, a biochar production vehicle, and a biochar production method.

Background Art

[0002] As a countermeasure against fossil fuel depletion and global warming caused by CO₂ emissions, it has been proposed to carbonize unused biomass such as thinned wood and agricultural waste, which were conventionally treated as waste, for use as carbon-free fuel, plowed into farmland for use as a soil conditioner, and further utilized as a means of carbon sequestration. For example, a large amount of bark is generated in sawmills and timber markets. In addition, a large amount of branches and leaves are generated through grass cutting, pruning and the like in forests, parks and rivers. By collecting, carbonizing and recycling these resources instead of disposing of them as waste, it is possible to reduce the cost for waste disposal and reduce CO₂ emissions.

[0003] By the way, biomass raw materials such as wood, branches and leaves are widely scattered throughout the country. Therefore, it is desired to efficiently collect, carbonize and recycle such biomass raw materials. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a mobile carbonization treatment facility in which a compact carbonization treatment facility is mounted on a vehicle.

Prior Art Literature

Patent Literature

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, the mobile carbonization equipment disclosed in Patent Document 1 merely involves mounting a miniaturized carbonization device on a vehicle, and does not consider the utilization of the energy generated by the carbonization equipment.

[0006] This disclosure is made in view of these circumstances and aims to provide a biochar production system, a biochar production vehicle, and a biochar production method that can effectively utilize the energy generated during the biochar production process. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of the present disclosure is a biochar production system that can be mounted on a vehicle and produces biochar from biomass raw materials, comprising a drying device for drying the biomass raw materials, Without a combustion chamber, A pyrolysis furnace for pyrolysis the dried biomass raw material, and the generation generated in the pyrolysis furnace Unburned A power generation device that generates electricity using pyrolysis gas, and the pyrolysis furnace Unburned The power generation device comprises a first gas channel for supplying pyrolysis gas to the power generation device via the drying device, and the power generation device is supplied from the first gas channel. Unburned This is a biochar production system that generates electricity using pyrolysis gas. One aspect of the present disclosure is a biochar production system that can be mounted on a vehicle and produces biochar from biomass raw materials, comprising: a drying device for drying the biomass raw materials; a pyrolysis furnace for pyrolysis the dried biomass raw materials; a power generation device for generating electricity using the pyrolysis gas generated in the pyrolysis furnace; a first gas flow path for supplying the pyrolysis gas generated in the pyrolysis furnace to the power generation device via the drying device; and a third gas flow path for supplying the gas generated in the drying device to the first gas flow path, wherein a mixed gas containing the gas generated in the drying device is supplied to the power generation device through the first gas flow path, and the power generation device generates electricity using the mixed gas supplied from the first gas flow path.

[0008] One aspect of this disclosure is a biochar production vehicle equipped with the biochar production system described above.

[0009] One aspect of the present disclosure provides a biochar production system for producing biochar from biomass raw materials that is mounted on a vehicle and is mobile, the biochar production system comprising a drying device for drying the biomass raw materials, Without a combustion chamber, A pyrolysis furnace for pyrolysis the dried biomass raw material, and the generation generated in the pyrolysis furnace Unburned The system includes a power generation device that generates electricity using pyrolysis gas, and the pyrolysis furnace generates Unburned The pyrolysis gas is supplied to the power generation device via the drying device, and the power generation device is supplied via the drying device. UnburnedThis is a method of producing biochar that generates electricity using pyrolysis gas. One aspect of the present disclosure is a biochar production system for producing biochar from biomass raw materials, which is mounted on a vehicle and is mobile, the biochar production system comprising a drying device for drying the biomass raw materials, a pyrolysis furnace for pyrolyzing the dried biomass raw materials, a power generation device for generating electricity using the pyrolysis gas generated in the pyrolysis furnace, a first gas flow path for supplying the pyrolysis gas generated in the pyrolysis furnace to the power generation device via the drying device, and a third gas flow path for supplying the gas generated in the drying device to the first gas flow path, wherein a mixed gas including the gas generated in the drying device is supplied to the power generation device through the first gas flow path, and the power generation device generates electricity using the mixed gas supplied from the first gas flow path, the biochar production method. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] The energy generated during the biochar manufacturing process can be effectively utilized. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This figure shows a schematic configuration of the biochar production system as viewed from above, according to the first embodiment of the biochar production vehicle of this disclosure. [Figure 2] This figure shows a schematic configuration of a biochar production system as viewed from the side of a biochar production vehicle according to the first embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of a vehicle electrical system according to the first embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 4] This figure shows a schematic configuration of a biochar production system as viewed from above, according to the second embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 5] This figure shows a schematic configuration of a biochar production system as viewed from the side of a biochar production vehicle according to the second embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 6] This figure shows a schematic configuration of a biochar production system as viewed from the side of a biochar production vehicle according to the third embodiment of this disclosure. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] [First Embodiment] A biochar production system, a biochar production vehicle, and a biochar production method according to the first embodiment of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a biochar production system 2 when the biochar production vehicle 1 according to the present embodiment is viewed from above, and Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the biochar production system 2 when the biochar production vehicle 1 shown in Fig. 1 is viewed from the side. Note that some configurations are appropriately omitted from illustration in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2.

[0013] As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the biochar production vehicle 1 is equipped with the biochar production system 2 that produces biochar from a biomass raw material. The biochar production system 2 mainly includes, for example, a crusher 11, a drying device 12, and a pyrolysis furnace 13 as main components. A partition wall 18 is provided between the drying device 12 and the pyrolysis furnace 13. A lower end portion of the partition wall 18 is formed as an opening, and is configured such that the biomass raw material placed on a conveyor 16 moves from the drying device 12 to the pyrolysis furnace 13 through the opening.

[0014] For example, the biomass raw material is fed into the crusher 11 by a raw material conveying means such as a crane (not shown) or a conveyor (not shown). The biomass raw material is, for example, woody biomass (biological resource) made of wood, including forest residues such as branches and leaves generated during tree felling and lumbering, bark generated from sawmills and the like, wood pellets produced from bark and sawdust, wood chips, and the like. The crusher 11 crushes the fed biomass raw material into an appropriate size.

[0015] The drying device 12 dries the biomass raw material crushed by the crusher 11. As the drying device 12, for example, a belt dryer that dries the biomass raw material placed on a belt by bringing high-temperature gas into contact therewith can be employed. Further, as the drying device 12, instead of a belt dryer, a rotary kiln dryer, a disc dryer, or the like can be employed. The heating method of the drying device 12 may be either indirect heating or direct heating.

[0016] The pyrolysis furnace 13, for example, produces biochar by pyrolysis of biomass raw materials. The pyrolysis furnace 13 according to this embodiment does not have a combustion chamber, and instead, for example, indirectly heats the biomass raw materials with heat to cause pyrolysis and gasification reactions. As pyrolysis progresses, the biomass raw materials are carbonized while generating pyrolysis gas (dry distillation gas). Pyrolysis gas is a volatile gas produced when organic matter is heated to a high temperature in the absence of oxygen, and its components include flammable hydrogen (H2), carbon monoxide (CO), methane (CH4), and non-flammable carbon dioxide (CO2). The produced biochar is discharged into a predetermined containment container (not shown) and stored therein. The heating method of the pyrolysis furnace 13 may be either indirect heating or direct heating. Examples of pyrolysis furnaces 13 include indirect heating rotary kilns, direct heating rotary kilns, fluidized bed furnaces, screw-type carbonization furnaces, etc.

[0017] Furthermore, the various operating conditions of the biochar production system 2 described above (e.g., drying temperature, drying time, particle size after crushing, temperature, time, oxygen concentration, etc.) can be appropriately determined by adopting known technologies. In addition, the control of the biochar production system 2 (e.g., various controls of the crusher 11, drying device 12, and pyrolysis furnace 13) is performed by the system control device 45. Furthermore, the configuration of biochar production system 2 is just one example, and known equipment can be applied as appropriate.

[0018] The pyrolysis gas generated in the pyrolysis furnace 13 is supplied to the power generation device 10 through the first gas channel 14 and the second gas channel 15. Here, the first gas channel 14 supplies the pyrolysis gas to the power generation device 10 via the drying device 12. In the drying device 12, the thermal energy of the pyrolysis gas flowing through the first gas channel 14 is transferred to the biomass raw material. This improves drying efficiency and makes it possible to effectively utilize the thermal energy of the pyrolysis gas.

[0019] Here, the first gas flow path 14 may be provided with a heat exchanger (not shown) through which the pyrolysis gas flows. The heat transfer medium exchanged with the pyrolysis gas in the heat exchanger may be air, or other heat transfer mediums such as water or steam. The heat-exchanged pyrolysis gas is supplied to the power generation device 10 through the first gas flow path 14.

[0020] The biochar production system 2 may be equipped with an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the flow rate ratio of the pyrolysis gas flowing through the first gas flow path 14 and the second gas flow path 15. Examples of adjustment mechanisms include flow control valves (not shown) provided in the first gas flow path 14 and the second gas flow path 15, respectively. However, the adjustment mechanism is not limited to this, and any known mechanism for adjusting the flow rate ratio can be appropriately adopted. The adjustment mechanism is controlled by a system control device 45.

[0021] The power generation device 10 includes, for example, an SOFC (Solid Oxide Fuel Cell) and a micro gas turbine (MGT). SOFC generates electricity using pyrolysis gas supplied through the first gas channel 14 and pyrolysis gas supplied through the second gas channel 15. For example, SOFC may generate electricity using chemical substances contained in the pyrolysis gas (e.g., carbon monoxide, hydrogen, etc.) as fuel. SOFC may also generate electricity using the thermal energy of these pyrolysis gases. This makes it possible to generate electricity by effectively utilizing the thermal energy contained in the pyrolysis gas. Furthermore, since the temperature of the pyrolysis gas supplied through the first gas channel 14 is reduced by heat exchange in the drying apparatus 12, it has the effect of adjusting the temperature environment of the power plant to an appropriate temperature level when SOFC generates electricity. In addition, other fuels such as hydrogen or natural gas may be added to the SOFC in addition to the pyrolysis gas.

[0022] The MGT is supplied with exhaust gas from the SOFC. The MGT uses the exhaust gas supplied from the SOFC as a medium to generate electricity. In addition to pyrolysis gas, other fuels such as hydrogen or natural gas may also be added to the MGT.

[0023] Figure 3 shows an example of an electrical system diagram of a biochar production vehicle 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 3, a power generator 10 is connected to the in-vehicle power system 20, and a power storage device 30 is connected via a switch 31. The power storage device 30 stores the power generated by the power generator 10 and discharges it when the load is high to supplement the power generated by the power generator 10.

[0024] Furthermore, various electrical devices 40 of the biochar production system 2 are connected to the in-vehicle power system 20 via a power distributor 50. As a result, the power generated by the power generator 10 is used as the power source for the biochar production system 2. The electrical devices 40 include, as an example, at least one of the following: a drone charging device 41, a crusher drive motor 42, a conveyor drive motor 43, a vehicle battery charging device 44, and a system control device 45.

[0025] The drone charging device 41 is installed, for example, at a drone port 17 that functions as a drone landing and takeoff base, and charges the drone (not shown) with power supplied via the vehicle's power system 20. The drone acquires information such as, for example, information about biomass raw material collection locations (location information of collection locations, topographic information, etc.) and information about carbon sequestration (information on the amount of biomass raw material collected, location information of sequestrated biochar, biochar composition information, biochar scattering amount information, etc.).

[0026] For example, a drone may be used to fly around a vehicle and search for nearby biomass raw materials. It may also be used to search for locations where carbon sequestration can occur by scattering biochar produced by, for example, the biochar production system 2. Furthermore, a drone may be used to collect biomass raw materials and transport them to the biochar production vehicle 1. Finally, a drone may be used to transport biochar from the biochar production vehicle 1 to a carbon sequestration destination (e.g., farmland) for scattering.

[0027] The crusher drive motor 42 is a motor for driving the crusher 11. The conveyor drive motor 43 is a motor for driving the conveyor 16. The vehicle battery charging device 44 supplies power to the drive battery of the biochar production vehicle 1. This makes it possible to use the power from the power generator 10 and the power from the energy storage device 30 to run the vehicle.

[0028] Furthermore, the system control device 45 is a system for controlling the biochar production system 2 and includes, for example, an information processing device, a display, and other electrical equipment. Furthermore, the electrical equipment 40 may include component analyzers, measuring instruments, and various measuring instruments used for biomass raw materials, biochar, and various gases.

[0029] Next, a method for using the biochar production vehicle 1 according to this embodiment will be described. The biochar production vehicle 1 travels around the biomass raw material generation sites and collects the biomass raw material. The collected biomass raw material is fed into the crusher 11 of the biochar production system 2 by conveyor belts, cranes, etc.

[0030] The crusher 11 crushes the biomass raw material. If the power generator 10 is not generating electricity, power is supplied from the onboard energy storage device 30 to the crusher drive motor 42, which drives the crusher 11. The biomass raw material crushed by the crusher 11 is fed into the drying device 12.

[0031] The drying apparatus 12 dries the biomass raw material. The dried biomass raw material is supplied to the pyrolysis furnace 13. In the pyrolysis furnace 13, the biomass raw material is pyrolyzed to produce biochar, and pyrolysis gas is generated. This pyrolysis gas is supplied to the power generation device 10 via the first gas flow path 14 and the drying device 12. This makes it possible to effectively utilize the thermal energy of the pyrolysis gas for drying the biomass raw material. Furthermore, some of the pyrolysis gas is supplied to the power generation device 10 via the second gas flow path 15, bypassing the drying device 12. In the power generation device 10, electricity is generated using pyrolysis gas, and the generated electricity is supplied to the energy storage device 30 and / or electrical equipment 40 via the in-vehicle power system 20. In addition, if the generated electricity is insufficient, the energy storage device 30 supplies the remaining electricity to the electrical equipment 40. The biochar produced by biochar production system 2 is collected in a designated collection container.

[0032] As described above, according to the biochar production system 2 of this embodiment, the pyrolysis gas generated in the pyrolysis furnace 13 is supplied to the power generation device 10 via the first gas flow path 14 and the drying device 12. This allows the thermal energy of the pyrolysis gas to be used in the drying device 12 to dry the biomass raw material in the drying device 12. Furthermore, the pyrolysis gas that has undergone heat exchange in the drying apparatus 12 is supplied to the power generation apparatus 10 through the first gas flow path 14. This makes it possible to use the pyrolysis gas after heat exchange for power generation. As described above, this embodiment makes it possible to utilize the energy generated during the biochar production process as effectively as possible. Furthermore, by effectively using the thermal energy of the pyrolysis gas generated in the pyrolysis furnace 13 and the chemical substances contained in the pyrolysis gas to generate electricity, it is possible to reduce the amount of fuel supplied to the power generation device 10. This also makes it possible to improve economic efficiency.

[0033] Furthermore, the biochar production system 2 according to this embodiment is designed to be mounted on a vehicle. This makes it possible to move to areas deep within forests where biomass raw materials can be procured locally, and to produce biochar on-site using the biochar production system 2. Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the power generated by the power generator 10 is used as the power source for the electrical equipment 40 of the biochar production system 2. This eliminates or reduces the need for external power procurement at the site, and provides an autonomous and mobile biochar production system that minimizes the supply of external energy.

[0034] Furthermore, the biochar production system 2 according to this embodiment may produce biochar while mounted on the biochar production vehicle 1, or it may produce biochar after being unloaded from the biochar production vehicle 1 onto the ground.

[0035] [Second Embodiment] Next, a biochar production system, a biochar production vehicle, and a biochar production method according to the second embodiment of this disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 4 and 5. Figure 4 shows a schematic configuration of the biochar production system 2a as viewed from above of the biochar production vehicle 1a according to this embodiment, and Figure 5 shows a schematic configuration of the biochar production system 2a as viewed from the side of the biochar production vehicle 1a shown in Figure 4. Note that in Figures 4 and 5, some components have been omitted from the illustration as appropriate. In the following description, components common to the first embodiment described above will be denoted by the same reference numerals and their descriptions will be omitted, while the different components will be described in detail.

[0036] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, in the biochar production system 2a, the pyrolysis furnace 13a is equipped with a combustion chamber 22. A partition wall 18 is provided between the drying device 12 and the combustion chamber 22. In addition, a partition wall 19 is provided between the combustion chamber 22 and other areas of the pyrolysis furnace 13a. The lower ends of partition walls 18 and 19 are open, and the biomass raw material placed on the conveyor 16 is configured to move from the drying device 12 through the combustion chamber 22 to other areas of the pyrolysis furnace 13a through these openings.

[0037] In the combustion chamber 22, for example, biomass raw materials supplied from the drying apparatus 12 are fed in as combustion material. In the combustion chamber 22, the biomass raw materials are burned. The pyrolysis furnace 13a indirectly heats the biomass raw materials with heat supplied from the combustion chamber 22, causing pyrolysis and gasification reactions. As pyrolysis progresses, the biomass raw materials are carbonized while generating pyrolysis gases. The resulting biochar is discharged into a predetermined container (not shown) and stored, for example.

[0038] The combustion gas generated in the combustion chamber 22 (a mixture of combustion exhaust gas mainly composed of carbon dioxide and unburned pyrolysis gas) is supplied to the power generation device 10 through the first gas flow path 14, and the pyrolysis gas generated in the pyrolysis furnace 13a is supplied through the second gas flow path 15. Furthermore, the system may be configured such that a portion of the pyrolysis gas generated in the pyrolysis furnace 13a is recirculated into the combustion chamber 22 and used as fuel.

[0039] Thus, according to this embodiment, similar to the first embodiment described above, the thermal energy of the pyrolysis gas generated in the pyrolysis furnace 13a can be used to dry the biomass raw material in the drying apparatus 12. Furthermore, by supplying the pyrolysis gas after heat exchange in the drying apparatus 12 to the power generation apparatus 10, the thermal energy and chemical substances contained in the pyrolysis gas can be further utilized for power generation.

[0040] [Third Embodiment] Next, a biochar production system, a biochar production vehicle, and a biochar production method according to the third embodiment of this disclosure will be described with reference to Figure 6. Figure 6 is a diagram showing the schematic configuration of the biochar production system 2b as viewed from the side of the biochar production vehicle 1b according to this embodiment. Hereinafter, components common to the first embodiment described above will be denoted by the same reference numerals and their descriptions will be omitted, and the different components will be described in detail.

[0041] As shown in Figure 6, in the biochar production system 2b, the drying apparatus 12 is equipped with a third gas channel 23 for supplying a gas containing water vapor generated from biomass raw materials (hereinafter referred to as "drying chamber gas") to the first gas channel 14. The third gas channel 23 is provided with an adjustment unit for adjusting the flow rate of the drying chamber gas supplied to the first gas channel 14. The adjustment unit is a flow rate adjustment valve 24. The flow rate adjustment valve 24 is controlled by a system control device 45. The detailed control method will be described later.

[0042] With this configuration, the power generation device 10 is supplied with the pyrolysis gas generated in the drying device 12, as well as the drying chamber gas generated in the drying device 12, through the first gas flow path 14 and the third gas flow path 23. Specifically, these mixed gases are supplied to the power generation device 10. In addition, the power generation device 10 is supplied with pyrolysis gas through the second gas flow path 15. The power generation device 10 generates electricity using the mixed gas supplied through the first gas flow path 14 and the pyrolysis gas supplied through the second gas flow path 15. The power generation is as described above.

[0043] In the drying apparatus 12, the remaining drying chamber gas that does not flow through the third gas channel 23 is supplied to the pyrolysis furnace 13 through the opening in the partition wall 18. The drying chamber gas supplied to the pyrolysis furnace 13 contributes to the pyrolysis reaction in which the biomass raw material is pyrolyzed into biochar inside the pyrolysis furnace 13. Here, since the drying chamber gas contains water vapor, the carbon contained in the biomass raw material and biochar is converted into carbon monoxide and hydrogen by the water gasification reaction, which constitutes one process of the pyrolysis reaction. This reaction is an endothermic reaction, as shown in the following general thermochemical equation.

[0044] C + H2O = CO + H2 - Q (kJ / mol) Here, Q is a positive value.

[0045] Therefore, generally speaking, the more drying chamber gas is introduced into the pyrolysis furnace 13, the more the water gasification reaction inside the pyrolysis furnace 13 is promoted. As carbon decomposition progresses, the yield of biochar produced decreases, while the amount of carbon monoxide and hydrogen generated inside the pyrolysis furnace 13 increases. This increases the amount of carbon monoxide and hydrogen contained in the pyrolysis gas introduced into the SOFC in the power generation device 10, for example, and increases the SOFC's contribution to power generation. Furthermore, since the water gasification reaction is an endothermic reaction, it can lower the temperature inside the pyrolysis furnace 13.

[0046] By adjusting the opening degree of the flow control valve 24 described above, it is possible to adjust the amount of drying chamber gas mixed with the pyrolysis gas flowing through the first gas flow path 14 and the amount of drying chamber gas introduced into the pyrolysis furnace 13.

[0047] For example, if the amount of moisture contained in or attached to the locally procured biomass raw material is greater than the standard amount, the amount of water vapor contained in the drying chamber gas will increase. In this case, the amount of drying chamber gas supplied to the third gas flow path 23 is increased by adjusting the opening of the flow control valve 24 to the open direction. This reduces the amount of drying chamber gas supplied to the pyrolysis furnace 13, and by suppressing the water gasification reaction inside the pyrolysis furnace 13, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the biochar yield.

[0048] Conversely, if the amount of moisture contained in or attached to the locally procured biomass raw material is less than the standard amount, the opening of the flow control valve 24 is reduced to the extent that the biochar yield does not decrease excessively, thereby increasing the amount of drying chamber gas introduced into the pyrolysis furnace 13. This promotes the water gasification reaction in the pyrolysis furnace 13 and encourages the generation of combustible components (CO, H2) in the pyrolysis gas. As a result, the amount of combustible components in the pyrolysis gas supplied from the pyrolysis furnace 13 to the power generation device (e.g., SOFC) 10 through the first gas flow path 14 and the second gas flow path 15, i.e., the calorific value as fuel, can be increased, making it possible to increase the power generated by the power generation device 10.

[0049] Thus, according to this embodiment, the drying chamber gas generated in the drying apparatus 12 can be supplied to the power generation apparatus 10. This makes it possible to further utilize the thermal energy and chemical substances contained in the drying chamber gas for power generation. Furthermore, a flow control valve 24 is provided in the third gas flow path 23, and the opening of this valve is controlled by a system control device 45. Specifically, the system control device 45 controls the valve opening according to the amount of moisture contained in the biomass raw material fed into the drying device 12.

[0050] For example, if the moisture content of the biomass raw material is greater than the standard amount, the opening of the flow control valve 24 is increased, and if the moisture content of the biomass raw material is less than the standard amount, the opening of the flow control valve 24 is decreased. This makes it possible to adjust the amount of drying chamber gas supplied to the power generation device 10, in other words, the amount of drying chamber gas supplied to the pyrolysis furnace 13. As a result, it becomes possible to adjust the biochar production environment, in other words, the temperature and water vapor concentration inside the pyrolysis furnace, thereby improving the biochar yield.

[0051] Although the present disclosure has been described above using embodiments, the technical scope of this disclosure is not limited to the scope described in the embodiments above. Various modifications or improvements can be made to the embodiments without departing from the gist of the disclosure, and such modified or improved forms are also included in the technical scope of this disclosure. Furthermore, the embodiments above may be combined as appropriate.

[0052] For example, in the embodiment described above, a case in which a crusher 11 is provided as a processing device for finely crushing biomass raw materials was explained as an example, but it is not limited to this. For example, instead of the crusher 11, a cutting machine that cuts the biomass raw materials may be used. In this case, the power generated by the power generation device 10 is supplied to the cutting machine drive motor that drives the cutting machine.

[0053] Furthermore, while the above-described embodiment illustrates a case where the power generation device 10 includes an SOFC and an MGT, it is not limited to this. Known technologies can be applied to the power generation device 10. For example, the power generation device 10 can be configured to include at least one of an SOFC, an MGT, a gas turbine, a gas engine, a gas generator, an inverter generator, and a fuel cell.

[0054] Furthermore, although the embodiments described above have illustrated and explained cases where a first gas flow path 14 and a second gas flow path 15 are provided, the invention is not limited to this. For example, the second gas flow path 15 may be omitted.

[0055] The biochar production systems, biochar production vehicles, and biochar production methods described in each of the embodiments above can be understood, for example, as follows.

[0056] A biochar production system (2,2a,2b) according to a first aspect of the present disclosure is a biochar production system that can be mounted on a vehicle and produces biochar from biomass raw materials, comprising: a drying device (12) for drying the biomass raw materials; a pyrolysis furnace (13,13a) for pyrolysis the dried biomass raw materials; a power generation device for generating electricity using the pyrolysis gas generated in the pyrolysis furnace; and a first gas flow path (14) for supplying the pyrolysis gas generated in the pyrolysis furnace (13,13a) to the power generation device (10) via the drying device (12), wherein the power generation device (10) generates electricity using the pyrolysis gas supplied from the first gas flow path (14).

[0057] According to the above embodiment, the pyrolysis gas generated in the pyrolysis furnace is supplied to the power generation device via a first gas flow path through a drying device. This allows the thermal energy of the pyrolysis gas to be used in the drying device to dry the biomass raw material. Furthermore, the pyrolysis gas that has undergone heat exchange in the drying device is supplied to the power generation device via the first gas flow path. This makes it possible to use the pyrolysis gas after heat exchange for power generation. Thus, according to this embodiment, it is possible to utilize the energy generated during the biochar production process as effectively as possible. Furthermore, by effectively using the thermal energy of the pyrolysis gas generated in the pyrolysis furnace and the chemical substances contained in the pyrolysis gas to generate electricity, it is possible to reduce the amount of fuel supplied to the power generation equipment. This also makes it possible to improve economic efficiency.

[0058] A biochar production system (2,2a,2b) according to a second aspect of the present disclosure, in the first aspect, includes a second gas flow path (15) for supplying the pyrolysis gas generated in the pyrolysis furnace (13,13a) to the power generation device (10) without passing through the drying device (12).

[0059] According to the above embodiment, it becomes possible to supply the high-temperature pyrolysis gas generated in the pyrolysis furnace to the power generation device. This makes it possible to effectively use the thermal energy of the pyrolysis gas for power generation.

[0060] A biochar production system (2b) according to a third aspect of the present disclosure, in the first or second aspect, includes a third gas channel (23) for supplying gas generated in the drying device (12) to the first gas channel (14), and a mixed gas containing gas generated in the drying device (12) is supplied to the power generation device (10) through the first gas channel (14).

[0061] According to the above embodiment, it becomes possible to supply the gas generated in the drying apparatus (drying chamber gas) to the power generation apparatus. This makes it possible to utilize the thermal energy of the gas generated in the drying apparatus and the chemical substances contained in the gas for power generation.

[0062] In the third embodiment, the biochar production system (2b) according to the fourth aspect of the present disclosure is provided in the third gas flow path (23) with an adjustment means (24) for adjusting the flow rate of the gas supplied to the third gas flow path (23).

[0063] According to the above embodiment, it becomes possible to adjust the amount of gas supplied from the drying apparatus to the pyrolysis furnace. As a result, it becomes possible to adjust the biochar production environment, in other words, the temperature and steam concentration inside the pyrolysis furnace, thereby improving the biochar yield.

[0064] In the fifth aspect of the present disclosure, the biochar production system (2b) controls the adjustment means (24) according to the amount of moisture contained in the biomass raw material introduced into the drying apparatus (12) in the fourth aspect.

[0065] According to the above embodiment, it is possible to adjust the amount of gas supplied from the drying apparatus to the pyrolysis furnace according to the amount of moisture contained in the biomass raw material fed into the drying apparatus. As a result, it becomes possible to adjust the biochar production environment, in other words, the temperature and steam concentration inside the pyrolysis furnace, thereby improving the biochar yield.

[0066] A biochar production system (2,2a,2b) according to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, in any of the first to fifth aspects, the power generation device (10) includes a fuel cell, the fuel cell generates electricity using a chemical substance contained in the pyrolysis gas as fuel and / or using the thermal energy of the pyrolysis gas.

[0067] According to the above embodiment, it becomes possible to effectively utilize the chemical substances contained in the pyrolysis gas generated in the pyrolysis furnace and / or the thermal energy of the pyrolysis gas for power generation.

[0068] In the seventh aspect of this disclosure, the biochar production system (2,2a,2b) is configured such that, in any of the first to sixth aspects, the electricity generated by the power generation device (30) can be supplied as driving power for the electrical equipment (40) constituting the biochar production system.

[0069] According to the above embodiment, it is possible to provide an autonomous and mobile biochar production system that eliminates or reduces the need for external power procurement at the biomass raw material procurement site, thereby minimizing the supply of external energy.

[0070] The biochar production vehicle (1) according to the eighth aspect of this disclosure is equipped with the biochar production system described in any of the first to seventh aspects above.

[0071] A biochar production method according to a ninth aspect of the present disclosure comprises a biochar production system for producing biochar from biomass raw materials, which is mounted on a vehicle and is mobile, the biochar production system comprising a drying device for drying the biomass raw materials, a pyrolysis furnace for pyrolyzing the dried biomass raw materials, and a power generation device for generating electricity using the pyrolysis gas generated in the pyrolysis furnace, the pyrolysis gas generated in the pyrolysis furnace being supplied to the power generation device via the drying device, and the power generation device generating electricity using the pyrolysis gas supplied via the drying device. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0072] 1: Biochar production vehicle 1a: Biochar production vehicle 1b: Biochar production vehicle 2: Biochar production system 2a: Biochar production system 2b: Biochar production system 10: Power generation equipment 11: Crusher 12:Drying equipment 13:Pyrolysis furnace 13a: Pyrolysis furnace 14: First gas channel 15: Second gas flow path 16: Conveyor 17: Drone Port 18: Bulkhead 19: Bulkhead 20: In-vehicle power system 22: Combustion chamber 23: Third gas flow path 24: Flow control valve (adjustment means) 30: Energy storage device 31: Switch 40: Electrical equipment 41: Drone charging device 42: Crusher drive motor 43: Conveyor drive motor 44: Vehicle battery charging device 45: System control unit 50: Power divider

Claims

1. A biochar production system that can be mounted on a vehicle and produces biochar from biomass raw materials, A drying apparatus for drying the aforementioned biomass raw material, A pyrolysis furnace that does not have a combustion chamber and pyrolyzes the biomass raw material after drying, A power generation device that generates electricity using unburned pyrolysis gas generated in the aforementioned pyrolysis furnace, A first gas flow path for supplying unburned pyrolysis gas generated in the pyrolysis furnace to the power generation device via the drying device, and Equipped with, The power generation device is a biochar production system that generates electricity using unburned pyrolysis gas supplied from the first gas flow path.

2. The biochar production system according to claim 1, further comprising a second gas channel for supplying the pyrolysis gas generated in the pyrolysis furnace to the power generation device without passing through the drying device.

3. A biochar production system that can be mounted on a vehicle and produces biochar from biomass raw materials, A drying apparatus for drying the aforementioned biomass raw material, A pyrolysis furnace for pyrolyzing the biomass raw material after drying, A power generation device that generates electricity using pyrolysis gas produced in the aforementioned pyrolysis furnace, A first gas flow path for supplying the pyrolysis gas generated in the pyrolysis furnace to the power generation device via the drying device, A third gas channel for supplying the gas generated in the drying apparatus to the first gas channel, Equipped with, The power generation device is supplied with a mixed gas containing the gas generated in the drying device through the first gas flow path. The power generation device is a biochar production system that generates electricity using the mixed gas supplied from the first gas flow path.

4. The biochar production system according to claim 3, wherein the third gas flow path is provided with an adjustment means for adjusting the flow rate of the gas supplied to the third gas flow path.

5. The biochar production system according to claim 4, wherein the adjusting means is controlled according to the amount of moisture contained in the biomass raw material fed into the drying apparatus.

6. The power generation device includes a fuel cell, The biochar production system according to claim 1, wherein the fuel cell generates electricity using a chemical substance contained in the pyrolysis gas as fuel and / or using the thermal energy of the pyrolysis gas.

7. The biochar production system according to claim 1, wherein the electricity generated by the power generation device can be supplied as driving power for the electrical equipment constituting the biochar production system.

8. A biochar production vehicle equipped with the biochar production system according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. A biochar production system that manufactures biochar from biomass raw materials will be mounted on a vehicle, making it mobile. The biochar production system comprises a drying device for drying the biomass raw material, a pyrolysis furnace for pyrolyzing the dried biomass raw material without a combustion chamber, and a power generation device for generating electricity using the unburned pyrolysis gas generated in the pyrolysis furnace. The unburned pyrolysis gas generated in the pyrolysis furnace is supplied to the power generation device via the drying device. The power generation device is a method for producing biochar that generates electricity using unburned pyrolysis gas supplied via the drying device.

10. A biochar production system for producing biochar from biomass raw materials is made mobile by being mounted on a vehicle. The biochar production system comprises a drying device for drying the biomass raw material, a pyrolysis furnace for pyrolysis of the dried biomass raw material, a power generation device for generating electricity using the pyrolysis gas generated in the pyrolysis furnace, a first gas flow path for supplying the pyrolysis gas generated in the pyrolysis furnace to the power generation device via the drying device, and a third gas flow path for supplying the gas generated in the drying device to the first gas flow path. The power generation device is supplied with a mixed gas containing the gas generated in the drying device through the first gas flow path. The power generation device is a method for producing biochar that generates electricity using the mixed gas supplied from the first gas flow path.

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