System and method for extracting valuable matter from biomass raw material

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a system and a method for extracting valuable matter from a biomass raw material. [Solution] The present invention comprises: a solubilization treatment device 202 for subjecting a biomass raw material 210 to a hydrothermal solubilization treatment; a biomass treatment device 204 for performing, within a single device, a step for filtering a solubilization treatment liquid 211 from the solubilization treatment device 202, a drying step for drying a filtrate 212 acquired through the filtration step, and an extraction step for extracting valuable matter within dried matter 213 acquired through the drying step into a solution; and a valuable matter recovery device for recovering valuable-matter components outside of the system of the biomass treatment device 204.

Description

System and method for extracting valuable materials from biomass materials

[0001] The present invention relates to a system and method for extracting valuable materials from biomass raw materials, which extract valuable materials contained in biomass.

[0002] Global resource issues such as energy and food, CO ２ Biomass such as algae is attracting attention as a way to solve environmental problems such as increasing emissions and realize a sustainable world. The energy efficiency of algae production is extremely high compared to other plants and animals. Important issues for this type of algae include not only the technology to cultivate it, but also the technology to efficiently extract each component contained in the cultivated algae at low cost.

[0003] To obtain each component contained in algae, a culture solution containing the algae is generally concentrated, and then the water content of the concentrate is removed using a drying method such as a dryer or sun exposure to produce dried algae. An extraction solvent is then added to and mixed with the dried algae, and the target component is transferred to the extraction solvent. The algae and the extraction solvent are then separated by filtration or other methods, and the filtrate is then subjected to vacuum distillation, drying, or other methods to remove the extraction solvent, thereby obtaining the target component. Specifically, a conventional method for extracting hydrocarbons from microalgae involves freeze-drying or heating wet algae removed from a microalgae culture solution by filtration or other methods, followed by immersing the dried algae in a solvent such as n-hexane or methanol-chloroform (1:1) to extract hydrocarbons (Phytochemistry, vol. 19, pp. 1081-1085, 1980) (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-803

[0005] However, proposals such as those in Patent Document 1 have the problem that drying the concentrated liquid requires a large amount of energy and time, resulting in increased production costs and reduced production efficiency.On the other hand, if the concentrated liquid is not dried or if a raw material from which the concentrated liquid has been insufficiently dried is used, moisture remains in the raw material, preventing the solvent from effectively contacting the raw material, resulting in reduced extraction efficiency.

[0006] In view of the above problems, the present invention provides a system and method for extracting valuable materials from biomass raw materials, which can efficiently extract various valuable components contained in biomass such as algae at low cost.

[0007] One embodiment of the present invention provides a system for extracting valuable materials from biomass raw materials, characterized by comprising: a solubilization treatment device that hydrothermally solubilizes biomass raw materials; a filtration device that filters the solubilization treatment liquid from the solubilization treatment device; an extraction device that extracts valuable materials in the filtrate obtained by the filtration device into a solvent; and a valuable material recovery device that recovers valuable material components from the valuable material solution obtained from the extraction device.

[0008] Another aspect of the present invention is a system for extracting valuable materials from biomass raw materials, characterized by comprising: a solubilization treatment device that hydrothermally solubilizes biomass raw materials; a biomass treatment device that performs, within a single device, the following steps: a first filtration step that filters the solubilization treatment liquid from the solubilization treatment device; and an extraction step that extracts valuable materials in the first filtrate obtained by the first filtration step into a solvent; and a valuable material recovery device that recovers valuable material components from the valuable material dissolved liquid obtained by the extraction step outside the system of the biomass treatment device.

[0009] Another embodiment of the system for extracting valuable materials from biomass raw materials according to the present invention is characterized in that it comprises a biomass treatment device that essentially comprises a step of hydrothermal solubilizing the biomass raw material and a step of filtering the solubilization solution from the solubilization treatment step, a drying step of drying the filtered material obtained from the filtration step, and an extraction step of extracting valuable materials from the dried material obtained from the drying step into a solvent, all within a single device, and a valuable material recovery device that recovers valuable materials outside the system of the biomass treatment device.

[0010] One embodiment of the method for extracting valuable materials from biomass raw materials according to the present invention is characterized by comprising: a solubilization step of hydrothermal solubilizing a biomass raw material; a first filtration step of filtering the solubilization solution from the solubilization step; and an extraction step of extracting a valuable material component to be extracted from the first filtrate obtained in the first filtration step.

[0011] This eliminates the need for equipment required to dry the concentrated liquid, as well as the large amount of energy and time required, making it possible to reduce production costs and improve production efficiency. In particular, when using a water-insoluble extraction solvent, thorough mixing of the raw material and extraction solvent during extraction improves extraction efficiency. Furthermore, since separation of the raw material and extraction solvent after extraction is also facilitated, low-cost and efficient extraction becomes possible. Furthermore, since the solid content of biomass is reduced by hydrothermal solubilization, the amount of solvent required to extract valuable components from the solid content can be reduced.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system for extracting valuable materials from biomass feedstock according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic process diagram of a method for extracting valuable materials from biomass feedstock according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic process diagram of a method for extracting valuable materials from biomass feedstock according to a modified example of the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a schematic process diagram of a method for extracting valuable materials from biomass feedstock according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a schematic process diagram of a method for extracting valuable materials from biomass feedstock according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic process diagram of a method for extracting valuable materials from biomass feedstock according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a schematic process diagram of a method for extracting valuable materials from biomass feedstock according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a schematic process diagram using an apparatus for extracting valuable materials from biomass feedstock according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic process diagram using an apparatus for extracting valuable materials from biomass feedstock according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic process diagram using an apparatus for extracting valuable materials from biomass feedstock according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. 17A and 17B are plan views of the base and support plate of an embodiment as viewed from above; a front view of a rotary base of an embodiment as viewed from the front; a front view of the base, support plate, and sealed container of an embodiment as viewed from the front; a cross-sectional view of the sealed container of an embodiment; a front view of the support plate, power transmission unit, and motor of an embodiment as viewed from the front; a perspective view of the lifting unit of an embodiment as viewed from the right front; a view showing a state in which a slurry has been introduced into a filter chamber of an embodiment and filtration has begun; a view showing a state in which a wet cake has been produced by draining from the state of FIG. 17; a view showing a state before a cleaning liquid has been introduced into the state of FIG. 18 and washing of the wet cake has begun in the state of FIG. 18; a view showing a drying treatment state from the state of FIG. 18; a view showing a state in which the support plate has been rotated to tilt the sealed container from the state of FIG. 18; a view showing a state in which the agitator blades have been lowered and driven from the state of FIG. 20A; a view showing a state in which a discharge port has been opened in the sealed container and a solid cake has been discharged from the state of FIG. 21; a view showing a state in which a wet cake is being dried in a sealed container of an embodiment; a view showing a state in which a cleaning treatment or solvent substitution is being performed in a sealed container of an embodiment.Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram of a system for extracting valuable materials from biomass raw materials according to embodiment 9. Fig. 11 is a schematic diagram of a system for extracting valuable materials from other biomass raw materials according to embodiment 9. Fig. 12 is a schematic diagram of a system for extracting valuable materials from other biomass raw materials according to embodiment 9. Fig. 13 is a schematic diagram of a system for extracting valuable materials from other biomass raw materials according to embodiment 9. Fig. 14 is a schematic diagram of a system for extracting valuable materials from other biomass raw materials according to embodiment 9. Fig. 15 is a schematic diagram of a system for extracting valuable materials from other biomass raw materials according to embodiment 9. Fig. 16 is a schematic diagram of a system for extracting valuable materials from other biomass raw materials according to embodiment 9. Fig. 17 is a diagram comparing extraction rates between the prior art and the present invention.

[0013] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the embodiments of this specification, the same components are designated by the same reference numerals throughout.

[0014] [Embodiment 1] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system for extracting valuable materials from biomass raw materials according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Figs. 2A and 2B are schematic process diagrams of a method for extracting valuable materials from biomass raw materials according to Embodiment 1.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1 , the system 200 for extracting valuable materials from biomass raw materials (hereinafter also referred to as “raw material”) of this embodiment includes a solubilization treatment device 202 that performs hydrothermal solubilization treatment (solubilization treatment step; soft hydrothermal treatment step (S11)) on a biomass raw material (a culture solution containing algae or a concentrated solution thereof; hereinafter also simply referred to as “raw material”) 201, a first filtration step (S12) that filters a solubilized solution 211, which is a solubilized product from the solubilization treatment device 202, and a filtering step (S13) that filters the solubilized solution 211 obtained by the first filtration step (S12). The biomass treatment device 204 performs, within a single device, a drying step (S13) of drying the filtered product (wet cake) 212 and an extraction step (S14) of extracting valuable materials in the dried product (dried cake) 213 obtained by the drying step (S13) into a solvent, and a valuable material recovery device 205 recovers valuable material components (oil) 214 from the valuable material dissolved solution 216 from the biomass treatment device 204 by a valuable material recovery step (S20) outside the system of the biomass treatment device 204.

[0016] The solubilization treatment device 202 is composed of a sealed container into which the biomass raw material is placed and sealed, and a means for introducing high-pressure saturated steam or high-temperature superheated steam obtained by further heating the saturated steam into the sealed container, or a means for heating the container. The biomass raw material is placed into the sealed container, and then the inside of the sealed container is heated to a predetermined temperature (e.g., 120°C to 240°C) for a predetermined time (e.g., 5 to 60 minutes), to perform hydrothermal solubilization treatment.

[0017] In the solubilization treatment device 202, the inside of a sealed container that can withstand high pressure is heated to maintain the temperature inside the sealed container at, for example, 150°C to 180°C, and the biomass raw material is modified by hydrothermal solubilization (hydrothermal reaction).

[0018] Next, the biomass treatment process will be described with reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B. As shown in FIG. 2A , the method for extracting valuable resources from biomass feedstock in the first embodiment includes a solubilization treatment step (S11) of hydrothermal solubilizing a biomass feedstock (a culture solution containing algae or a concentrate thereof) 201 in a solubilization treatment (also referred to as a “hydrothermal solubilization treatment (soft hydrothermal treatment)”) apparatus 202, a first filtration step (S12) of filtering a solubilized solution 211 from the solubilization treatment step (S11), a drying step (S13) of drying a first filtrate (also referred to as a “wet cake”) 212 obtained in the first filtration step (S12), an extraction step (S14) of extracting a valuable resource (oil) 214 to be extracted from a dried product (also referred to as a “dried cake”) 213 obtained in the drying step (S13) into a solvent, and a valuable resource recovery step (S20) of recovering the valuable resource component (oil) 214 from a valuable resource solution 216.

[0019] In the oil extraction step of the extraction step (S14), the oil is extracted using a non-polar solvent (e.g., hexane). The solubilization treatment device 202 is also called a hydrothermal solubilization treatment device or a soft hydrothermal treatment device (details of which will be described later).

[0020] In this embodiment, a first filtration step (S12) is carried out inside the biomass treatment device 204 to filter the suspended solubilization treatment liquid 211. The purpose of this first filtration operation is to reduce the volume of water in the solubilization treatment liquid 211 solubilized in the solubilization treatment device 202. Furthermore, this volume reduction makes it possible to separate the valuable materials that have migrated to the aqueous phase from the solid content.

[0021] Thereafter, the filtered material (wet cake) 212 obtained in the filtration step (S12) is subjected to a drying treatment in a drying step (S13) inside the biomass treatment device 204. By carrying out this drying step (S13), the moisture content (moisture content) of the filtered material (wet cake) 212 can be further reduced.

[0022] A specific example will be described using a culture solution of algae or the like as the biomass raw material. The solid-to-water ratio (solid-liquid ratio) of the wet biomass raw material, which is the solubilization treatment solution 211 obtained by the solubilization treatment step (S11), was initially 10 / 90. However, by performing the first filtration step (S12), the solid-to-water ratio (solid-liquid ratio) in the filtered material (wet cake) 212 becomes 50 / 50. The filtered material (wet cake) 212 is then subjected to a drying step (S13), which makes it possible to set the solid-to-water ratio (solid-liquid ratio) in the dried material (dry cake) 213 to 90 / 10. The solid-to-water ratio (solid-liquid ratio) in the dried material (dry cake) 213 is not limited to this invention, and can be set to a value of 90 / 10 or less, such as 95 / 5. Furthermore, it is preferable that the ratio of water to solid (solid-liquid ratio) in the dried product (dry cake) 213 is in the range of "90 / 10" to "99 / 1".

[0023] In this embodiment, by providing this drying step (S13), when the hydrophobic extraction solvent used in the downstream extraction step (S14) is used to extract the substance to be extracted (oil), the affinity with the oil is improved, thereby improving the extraction efficiency of the oil.

[0024] Examples of the extraction solvent include non-polar solvents such as hexane, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, and benzene, but the present invention is not limited to these.

[0025] The conditions for the drying step (S13) are, for example, 110° C., preferably 60 to 120° C. The extraction conditions for the extraction step (S14) are, for example, 60° C., preferably 30 to 80° C.

[0026] The valuable resource recovery step (S20) in the valuable resource recovery device 205 is performed outside the system of the biomass treatment device 204. In the extraction step (S14), a valuable resource (oil) is extracted using a non-polar solvent, for example, hexane, and then the hexane extract is filtered to remove residue from the extraction solvent.The filtrate is then dried in the valuable resource recovery step (S20), and the valuable resource (oil) 214 that is the extraction target can be obtained.

[0027] Here, the hydrothermal treatment in the solubilization treatment device 202 involves placing the biomass raw material 201 in a sealed container that can withstand high pressure, and while stirring with stirring means such as a stirring blade, heating the raw material with, for example, a heat transfer heater, an electric heater, a jacket or heat exchanger using steam or oil as a heat medium, microwaves, etc. Therefore, the solubilization treatment device 202 is provided with means for carrying out these processes.

[0028] Alternatively, direct heating may be performed by directly introducing steam. In this method of introducing steam, the stirring action of the steam may be utilized, and stirring using the stirring means described above may not be necessary. Here, the hydrothermal treatment in the solubilization treatment device 202 involves introducing the biomass material 201 into a sealed container that can withstand high pressure, and while stirring with stirring means such as a stirring blade, the material is heated, for example, by a heat transfer heater, an electric heater, a jacket or heat exchanger using steam or oil as a heat medium, microwaves, or the like. Therefore, the biomass treatment device 204 is provided with means for performing these processes.

[0029] In the solubilization treatment device 202, when indirect heating is performed, the water content in the raw material is heated, and the pressure of the generated steam pressurizes the inside of the sealed container, causing the temperature of the biomass raw material 201 to rise above its boiling point at atmospheric pressure while remaining in a liquid state, thereby undergoing hydrothermal treatment.

[0030] When an extraction operation is performed after hydrothermal solubilization in the biomass treatment device 204, the biomass raw material 201 and extraction solvent are placed in a container and extracted while stirring with a stirring blade. The extraction temperature may be room temperature, heated, or cooled, depending on the components to be extracted. For heating, an electric heater, or a jacket or heat exchanger using hot water, steam, oil, or the like as a heat medium, or microwaves, may be used. For cooling, a jacket or heat exchanger using cold water, an organic solvent, or the like as a refrigerant may be used.

[0031] 9A , the steps of the biomass treatment device 204 of Embodiment 1 will be described. The biomass treatment device 204 is composed of a sealed container body 3, an agitator blade 5 disposed inside the container body 3 and rotated by an agitator shaft 4, an inlet pipe 36 for introducing the solubilization treatment liquid 211 into the inside, a filter medium 34 for filtering the treatment product, and a discharge pipe 35 for discharging the liquid portion of the treatment product (filtrate) to the outside.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 9A( a ), the solubilized liquid 211 obtained from the hydrothermal solubilization treatment (soft hydrothermal treatment) is introduced into the main body 31 of the biomass treatment device 204 via an introduction pipe 36 .

[0033] Next, after stirring with the stirring blades 5, a first filtration step (S12) is performed in which the liquid portion (filtrate) 212a of the solubilized liquid is discharged, as shown in Figure 9A(b). Then, as shown in Figure 9A(c), a drying step (S13) is performed in which the first filtrate (wet cake) 212 is dried to obtain a dried product (dry cake) 213. Note that stirring with the stirring blades 5 may be performed as needed. In other words, in cases where the solubilized liquid has a high sedimentation tendency and immediately settles unevenly within the biomass treatment device, stirring is used to achieve uniformity.

[0034] 9A(d), an extraction solvent 215 is introduced into the dried material 213 via an introduction pipe 36. The introduced extraction solvent 215 is stirred and then filtered to obtain a valuable material dissolved solution 216.

[0035] Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 9A(e), this valuable resource dissolving liquid 216 is discharged into a liquid receiving container (not shown) provided outside the biomass treatment device 204, and the valuable resource recovery step (S20) is carried out.

[0036] In the valuable resource recovery process in the valuable resource recovery device 205, an extraction solvent 215 is separated and recovered from a valuable resource dissolving solution 216 to obtain a valuable resource (oil) 214. The recovered extraction solvent is reused.

[0037] According to this embodiment, prior to extraction in the extraction step (S14), the solubilization treatment liquid 211 is separated into solid and liquid components in advance in the biomass treatment device 204, and then solvent extraction is performed, thereby significantly reducing the amount of extraction solvent used. In particular, when a water-insoluble extraction solvent is used, thorough mixing of the raw material and extraction solvent during extraction improves extraction efficiency. In addition, separation of the raw material and extraction solvent after extraction is also facilitated, enabling low-cost and efficient extraction.

[0038] According to this embodiment, the solubilization of the biomass raw material, which is the culture solution, is promoted by the solubilization treatment device 202, and then the biomass raw material is treated by the biomass treatment device 204, thereby shortening the filtration time and the overall processing time from the solubilization treatment to the extraction of valuable materials.

[0039] 2B is a schematic process diagram of a method for extracting valuable resources from biomass feedstock according to a modified example of the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2B, the drying step S13 may be omitted after the first filtration step S12, and the extraction step S14 may be performed following the first filtration step S12. For example, if the extraction solvent is water-soluble, extraction is possible even if the first filtrate (wet cake) 212 contains a certain amount of moisture. By omitting the drying step as in this embodiment, it is possible to reduce processing time and processing costs.

[0040] <Test Examples and Comparative Examples> Here, the effect of improving the oil extraction rate by the hydrothermal treatment as in this embodiment will be described.

[0041] The extraction rate, converted into the solubilization rate, of the lipid portion (oil content) contained in the solid content when the hydrothermal treatment was not performed as in the present embodiment and the product was simply dried as in the conventional method was compared. The results are shown in Figure 26, which shows a comparison of the oil extraction rate between the conventional technology and the present invention.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 26, in the case of extraction rates obtained by drying in which the water content is simply evaporated, as in the prior art, the extraction rates (converted to solubilization rates) of Comparative Examples 1 and 2 were 2.81% and 3.24%, respectively.

[0043] In contrast, when the material was subjected to Soxhlet extraction after hydrothermal treatment at 180°C, followed by filtration and drying, as in the present embodiment, the extraction rates (converted to solubilization rates) were 3.86% and 3.86% in Test Examples 1 and 2. Furthermore, because the volume is reduced by hydrothermal treatment, the amount of solvent used for extraction can be reduced, and as a result, the energy consumed for solvent recovery can be reduced. This results in improved energy efficiency through hydrothermal treatment.

[0044] In the prior art, the water content (liquid content) of the concentrate was forcibly evaporated by heating, requiring a large amount of energy to remove the water content. In contrast, in the present invention, the water content is removed from the concentrate by filtration after the hydrothermal treatment, requiring very little energy to remove the water content.

[0045] Furthermore, in the past, when a culture solution or a concentrated culture solution that has not been subjected to hydrothermal solubilization treatment was filtered, for many algae species, clogging with cake occurred, making filtration almost impossible. In contrast, hydrothermal solubilization treatment makes it possible to filter the culture solution or a concentrated solution obtained by concentrating the culture solution.

[0046] The extraction rate in the conventional technology (a technology in which extraction is performed after only drying) is calculated using the following formula (1): Weight of extracted lipids / Weight of dried algae used for extraction (1) The extraction rate in this embodiment is calculated using the following formula (2): Weight of extracted lipids / Dry weight of algae used for hydrothermal solubilization (2)

[0047] Additionally, to compare the filtration state, the following test conditions were used to confirm that hydrothermal treatment enables solid-liquid separation. Test procedure 1: Without hydrothermal treatment, filtration was extremely difficult due to blockages. Test procedure 2: When hydrothermal treatment was performed at 110°C for 1 hour, filtration became difficult due to blockages. Test procedure 3: When hydrothermal treatment was performed at 150°C for 1 hour, no blockages were observed. Test procedure 4: When hydrothermal treatment was performed at 180°C for 1 hour, no blockages were observed. As described above, it was confirmed that hydrothermal treatment at 150-180°C for 1 hour modifies the biomass raw material and improves the hydrothermal solubilization rate.

[0048] [Embodiment 2] Figure 3 is a schematic process diagram of a method for extracting valuable resources from biomass feedstock according to Embodiment 2. Note that the same components as those in the above-described embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted. As shown in Figure 3, the method for extracting valuable resources from biomass feedstock according to Embodiment 2 adds a washing step (S15) for washing a first filtered product 212-1 after the first filtration step (S12) of Embodiment 1. The washed product 212W from this washing step (S15) is then filtered in a second filtration step (S16), and the second filtered product 212-2 is subjected to an extraction operation for extracting valuable resources (oil) 214 in an extraction step (S14).

[0049] For example, when the biomass raw material is a culture (algae (also called "algal bodies")), impurities may be present in the culture solution used as the solubilization treatment solution 211. In this embodiment, these water-soluble impurities are removed by a cleaning solution 220 in the cleaning step (S15). Here, water is used as the cleaning solution 220.

[0050] This washing transfers water-soluble impurities contained in the first filtrate (wet cake) 212-1 into the washing liquid 220, leaving only water and algae bodies on the side of the first filtrate (wet cake) 212-1. Thereafter, a second filtration step (S16) is carried out to obtain a second filtrate 212-2.

[0051] As a result, the washed second filtered product 212-2 is subjected to extraction in the extraction step (S14), so that the extracted valuable material (oil) 214 contains fewer impurities.

[0052] In addition, a filtrate extraction process may be included in which valuable materials are extracted from the liquid fraction (filtrate) 212a from the first filtration process (S12) using an extraction solvent (a polar solvent (e.g., ethanol, etc.) or a non-polar solvent (e.g., hexane, etc.)).

[0053] Here, the process of the biomass treatment device 204 of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 9B.

[0054] The same operation was carried out up to the first filtration step (S12) shown in FIG. 9A(a), and a first filtrate (wet cake) 212-1 was obtained (FIG. 9B-1(a), FIG. 9B-1(b)).

[0055] Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 9B(c), a cleaning liquid 220 for cleaning the first filtrate 212-1 is introduced into the container, and a cleaning step (S15) is carried out.

[0056] Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 9B(d), this washed material is filtered in a second filtration step (S16), and a second filtered material 212-2 is retained inside, and a washing filtrate 220A is discharged to the outside.

[0057] 9B(e), an extraction solvent 215 is added to the washed second filtrate 212-2 to perform an extraction operation in the extraction step (S20). The subsequent operations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0058] According to this embodiment, by carrying out the washing step (S15), water-soluble impure solids contained in the first filtrate (wet cake) 212-1 are transferred into the washing liquid 220, so that only water and algae bodies remain on the side of the first filtrate (wet cake) 212-1. As a result, the washed second filtrate 212-2 is subjected to the extraction operation in the extraction step (S20), so that the extract (oil) 214 contains few impurities.

[0059] [Embodiment 3] Figure 4 is a schematic process diagram of a system for extracting valuable materials from biomass feedstock according to embodiment 3. Note that the same components as those in the above-described embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 4, the method for extracting valuable resources from biomass feedstock of the third embodiment includes a drying step (S17) of drying the second filtrate after the second filtration step (S16) in the second embodiment.

[0061] This combines the effects of the first and second embodiments.

[0062] The second filtered product is dried in a drying step (S13) similar to that of embodiment 1. As a result, the dried product 213 is in a dry state (for example, with a water content of 1 wt % to 10 wt %), which improves its affinity with a hydrophobic solvent (for example, hexane) in the extraction step (S14). In addition, since water-soluble impurities are also removed in the washing step (S15), the valuable resource (oil) 214 obtained in the extraction operation in the extraction step (S14) has fewer impurities.

[0063] [Embodiment 4] Figure 5 is a schematic process diagram of a system for extracting valuable materials from biomass feedstock according to embodiment 4. Note that the same components as those in the above-described embodiments are given the same reference numerals and their description will be omitted.

[0064] In the first embodiment, the filtration step (S12) is followed by a solvent substitution step (S18). This solvent substitution step (S18) includes solvent substitution of the water in the filtrate (wet cake) 212 using a polar solvent, such as ethanol. Furthermore, solvent substitution using a polar solvent such as ethanol also results in further dehydration. This solvent substitution step (S18) is followed by a second filtration step (S16).

[0065] In this way, by performing the solvent substitution step (S18) on the first filtrate (solid content) 212-1 after the first filtration step (S12), the affinity between the solid content and the extraction solvent is improved, and the extraction efficiency of valuable substances is improved. That is, as a result of the water in the solubilization treatment solution being substituted with ethanol, the extraction efficiency can be improved in the extraction operation using a non-polar solvent (hexane) in the extraction step (S14).

[0066] In addition, for valuable materials that are soluble in the solvent used in the solvent substitution, extraction is also carried out simultaneously with the solvent substitution. Therefore, depending on the type of valuable material to be extracted, only extraction by solvent substitution may be carried out.

[0067] Here, the process of the biomass treatment device 204 of the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 9C.

[0068] The same operation was carried out up to the first filtration step (S12) shown in FIG. 9A(a), and a first filtrate (wet cake) 212 was obtained (FIG. 9C(b)).

[0069] 9C(c), a solvent substitution step (S18) is carried out by introducing a substitution solvent 217 into the vessel for the filtered product 212. The resulting solvent substitution product 218 is discharged outside the biomass treatment device 204.

[0070] 9C(d), the washed solvent-substituted product 218 is subjected to extraction with an extraction solvent 215 in an extraction step (S14). The subsequent operations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0071] [Embodiment 5] Fig. 6 is a schematic process diagram of a system for extracting valuable materials from biomass feedstock according to embodiment 5. Note that the same components as those in the above-described embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0072] In the fourth embodiment, after the solvent substitution step (S18), a second filtration step (S16) is performed. A solvent drying step (S19) is performed to dry (remove) the solvent from the filtered product 212-2 of the second filtration step.

[0073] By removing the replaced solvent, the affinity between the dried product and the solvent is further improved, improving extraction efficiency. Furthermore, by preventing mixing of the solvent used in the solvent replacement step with the solvent used in the extraction step, the cost required for solvent regeneration can be reduced. Furthermore, the components extracted in each step can be more clearly separated, improving the recovery efficiency of valuable materials.

[0074] [Embodiment 6] Figure 7 is a schematic process diagram of a system for extracting valuable materials from biomass feedstock according to embodiment 6. Note that the same components as those in the above-described embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0075] After the second filtration step (S16) of the second embodiment, a solvent substitution step (S18) is carried out, as in the fourth embodiment. Furthermore, after the solvent substitution step, a third filtration step (S21) is provided. This third filtration step (S21) includes an extraction step (S14) for extracting the valuable material (oil) 214 to be extracted from the filtered product 212-3 in the third filtration step (S21) into a solvent, and a valuable material recovery step (S20) for recovering the valuable material component (oil) 214 from the valuable material solution 216.

[0076] [Embodiment 7] Figure 8 is a schematic process diagram of a system for extracting valuable materials from biomass feedstock according to embodiment 7. Note that the same components as those in the above-described embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0077] The method of embodiment 7 includes a third filtration step (S21) after the solvent substitution step (S18) of embodiment 6. A solvent drying step (S19) is performed to dry the polar solvent from the filtrate 212-3 obtained in this third filtration step (S21). Because the polar solvent is dried, its affinity with the nonpolar solvent is improved in the extraction operation in the extraction step (S14), resulting in an even higher extraction efficiency of the valuable material (oil) 214 than in embodiment 6. Furthermore, by preventing mixing of the solvent used in the solvent substitution step with the polar solvent, the cost required for solvent regeneration can be reduced. Furthermore, the components extracted in each step can be more clearly separated, improving the recovery efficiency of valuable materials.

[0078] [Embodiment 8] In embodiments 1 to 7, the solubilization treatment step (S11) was carried out independently in the solubilization treatment device 202. However, in this embodiment, the solubilization treatment step (S11) may be carried out at one time in one biomass treatment device 204 without using the solubilization treatment device 202.

[0079] The system for extracting valuable materials from biomass raw materials of this embodiment requires a step of subjecting a biomass raw material (culture solution containing algae or a concentrate thereof) 201 to hydrothermal solubilization (soft hydrothermal treatment) and a step of filtering the solubilization treatment solution 211 obtained in the solubilization treatment step (S11), and at least one of the following steps is performed within a single biomass treatment device 204: a drying step of drying the filtrate (wet cake) 212 obtained in the filtration step (S12), a washing step of washing the filtrate 212, an extraction step of extracting valuable materials from the cake, and a solvent substitution step of performing solvent substitution. This allows for simplification of the equipment.

[0080] In this embodiment, when processing one biomass at a time in the processing device 204, if the solubilization treatment liquid 211 after the solubilization treatment is to be filtered, it is preferable to use a heat-resistant filter material (e.g., a metal filter) as the material for the filter material 34.

[0081] [Embodiment 9] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiments 1 to 7, the filtration process of filtering the solubilization treatment liquid 212 from the solubilization treatment device 202, the drying process of drying the filtered material 212 obtained by the filtration process, and the extraction process of extracting valuable materials 214 from the dried material 213 obtained by the drying process into a solvent are performed in a single biomass treatment device 204, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0082] 25A to 25G are schematic diagrams of a system for extracting valuable materials from biomass feedstocks according to Embodiment 9. That is, as shown in Fig. 25A, a system 200A for extracting valuable materials from biomass feedstocks according to Embodiment 9 may be configured to perform the operations of the steps of Embodiment 1 using separate devices: a filtration device 204A that filters a solubilization treatment solution 211 from a solubilization treatment device 202; a drying device 204B that dries a filtered product 212 obtained by the filtration device 204A; and an extraction device 204C that extracts valuable materials 214 from a dried product 213 obtained by the drying device 204B into a solvent.

[0083] In the above system configuration, the drying device 204B installed downstream of the filtering device 204A may be omitted.

[0084] The processing operations are the same as those in the process described above, so a detailed explanation will be omitted (the same applies below). The reason why each process is not performed in a single device is that the capacity of each device can be selected arbitrarily, ensuring processing diversity. Furthermore, in a biomass processing device with a fixed capacity, if each process is performed in a single device, the type of filtration device, for example, is limited. In contrast, if there are no limitations on the type of filtration device, for example, it becomes possible to accommodate larger capacities. Furthermore, continuous processing, not just batch processing, becomes easier, improving productivity.

[0085] Furthermore, when the operation is carried out within one apparatus, it is preferable to minimize the transfer of raw materials containing solids such as powders and slurries, since this can avoid problems such as retention and clogging.

[0086] In addition, the system 200B for extracting valuable materials from biomass feedstocks shown in Figure 25B may have a first filtration device 204A-1 installed downstream of the solubilization treatment device 202 and a washing device 204D installed downstream of the first filtration device 204A-1, as well as a second filtration device 204A-2 for filtering the washed material 212W, and may perform the same operational processing as in embodiment 2 using separate devices.

[0087] In addition, the system 200C for extracting valuable materials from biomass feedstock in Figure 25C may have a drying device 204E installed downstream of the second filtration device 204A-2, and may perform the same operational processing as in embodiment 3 using separate devices.

[0088] Furthermore, in the system 200D for extracting valuable materials from biomass feedstocks shown in FIG. 25D, a solvent replacement device 204F may be installed downstream of the first filtration device 204A-1, and a second filtration device 204A-2 may be installed downstream of the solvent replacement device 204F, and the same operational processing as in the fourth embodiment may be performed using separate devices.

[0089] Furthermore, in the system 200E for extracting valuable materials from biomass feedstocks shown in FIG. 25E, a solvent replacement device 204F is installed downstream of the first filtration device 204A-1, and a second filtration device 204A-2 is installed downstream of the solvent replacement device 204F, and a solvent drying (removal) device 204G is installed downstream of the second filtration device 204A-2, and the same operational processing as in the process of embodiment 5 may be performed using separate devices.

[0090] Furthermore, in the system 200F for extracting valuable materials from biomass feedstocks shown in FIG. 25F, a solvent replacement device 204H may be installed downstream of the second filtration device 204A-2, and a third filtration device 204A-3 may be installed downstream of the solvent replacement device 204H, so that the same operational processing as in the sixth embodiment can be performed using separate devices.

[0091] In addition, the system 200G for extracting valuable materials from biomass feedstocks shown in Figure 25G may have a solvent drying device 204I installed downstream of the third filtration device 204A-3, and may perform the same operational processing as in embodiment 7 using separate devices.

[0092] Here, not all steps may be performed in separate devices, but some steps may be performed in the same device. For example, after the solubilization treatment device 202, the first filtration device 204-1, the cleaning device 204D, the second filtration device 204A-2, the solvent replacement device 204H, and the third filtration device 204A-3 may be operated in the same device, and the subsequent extraction device 204C and valuable resource recovery device 205 may be performed using independent devices, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0093] Next, the configuration of a biomass treatment device (hereinafter also referred to collectively as a "filtration device") 100 will be described in further detail using Figures 10 to 24. As shown in Figure 10, the biomass treatment device 100 includes a base 1, a support plate 2, a sealed container 3, an agitation shaft 4, an agitation blade 5, a power transmission unit 6, a motor 7, and an elevation unit 8.

[0094] The base portion 1 comprises a plurality of pillars 10 extending upward from the ground (or base) 10a, a horizontal portion 11 connecting the upper portions of the pillars 10, a rotating base 12 fixed to the upper surface of the horizontal portion 11, a rotating shaft 13 supported by the rotating base 12, a support plate fixing portion 14 fixed to the upper surface of the support plate 2, a support piece 15 fixed to one end of the rotating shaft 13, and a plurality of fixing pins 16.

[0095] The pillars 10 extend in the vertical direction, and their lower portions are fixed to the ground 10a. As shown in Figure 11, four pillars 10 are provided. Two of the four pillars 10 are disposed in front of the support plate 2 and spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction. The remaining two of the four pillars 10 are disposed behind the support plate 2 and spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction. Thus, the four pillars 10 are spaced apart from each other so as to be located at the corners of a rectangle in plan view.

[0096] The horizontal portion 11 is a member extending in the horizontal direction. The horizontal portion 11 has an L-shaped cross section (see FIG. 10 ). Two horizontal portions 11 are provided. One horizontal portion 11 is fixed to the top of two pillars 10 located forward of the support plate 2 and extends in the left-right direction between the two pillars 10. The remaining horizontal portion 11 is fixed to the top of two pillars 10 located rearward of the support plate 2 and extends in the left-right direction between the two pillars 10. As a result, the two horizontal portions 11 extend parallel to the left-right direction while being spaced apart from each other in the front-rear direction.

[0097] The rotating base 12, the pivot shaft 13, the support plate fixing portion 14, the support piece 15, and the fixing pin 16 are provided on each of the two horizontal portions 11 and have the same configuration. Therefore, the rotating base 12, the pivot shaft 13, the support plate fixing portion 14, the support piece 15, and the fixing pin 16 will be described using the portion arranged forward of the support plate 2 as a representative example, and a description of the portion arranged rearward of the support plate 2 will be omitted.

[0098] The rotary base 12 is fixed to the upper surface of the horizontal portion 11 in the center in the left-right direction. As shown in FIG. 11 , a circular through-hole 12a penetrating the rotary base 12 in the front-rear direction is provided in the center. A bearing 12b is provided on the inner circumferential surface of the through-hole 12a. The type of bearing 12b is not particularly limited in the present invention, but examples include metal bearings that can withstand high loads. The front surface 12c of the rotary base 12 faces the support piece 15 (see FIG. 10 ). A plurality of fixing holes 12d are provided in the front surface 12c. The fixing holes 12d are recessed rearward from the front surface 12c and are spaced apart circumferentially from the center of the through-hole 12a. In this embodiment, twelve fixing holes 12d are provided at 30° intervals.

[0099] The rotating shaft 13 is a cylindrical member with an axis O extending in the front-to-rear direction (horizontal direction). The rotating shaft 13 is inserted into a through-hole 12a of the rotating base 12 and rotatably supported by a bearing 12b. As shown in Figure 10, the rear end of the rotating shaft 13 extends rearward beyond the rotating base 12 to such an extent that it overlaps with the support plate 2 in a plan view. Furthermore, the front end of the rotating shaft 13 protrudes forward beyond the front surface 12c of the rotating base 12.

[0100] The support plate fixing portion 14 is disposed opposite the rotary base 12 in the front-rear direction. The support plate fixing portion 14 has a through-hole 14a that penetrates in the front-rear direction, and a bearing (not shown) is fitted onto the inner peripheral surface. The rear end of the rotating shaft 13 is inserted into the through-hole 14a of the support plate fixing portion 14 and is rotatably supported by the bearing (not shown). This allows the support plate 2 to rotate around the rotating shaft 13.

[0101] The support piece 15 includes a main body 15a disposed in front of the rotary base 12, an arm 15b extending leftward from the main body 15a, and a bent portion 15c extending rearward from the arm 15b. As shown in FIG. 12 , the main body 15a has a circular shape when viewed from the front. The front end of the rotation shaft 13 passes through the center of the main body 15a. The main body 15a and the rotation shaft 13 are fixed so as not to rotate relative to each other. The main body 15a has four through holes (not shown) that penetrate in the front-rear direction and into which the shafts of the fixing pins 16 are inserted. These through holes (not shown) are arranged at 90° intervals around the axis O of the rotation shaft 13. The arm 15b extends horizontally. The bent portion 15c is connected to the lower side of the left end of the arm 15b. 11, the bent portion 15c extends rearward from the arm portion 15b while passing above the horizontal portion 11. A rear end portion 15d of the bent portion 15c is connected to the support plate 2. As described above, the rotating shaft 13, the support piece 15, and the support plate 2 rotate together.

[0102] The shaft of the fixing pin 16 is inserted into a through-hole 15e (see FIG. 11 ) in the main body 15a. The tip of the shaft of the fixing pin 16 is inserted into a fixing hole 12d in the rotary base 12. Therefore, the rotating shaft 13, the support piece 15, and the support plate 2 are restricted by the multiple fixing pins 16 so as not to rotate around the axis O. The shaft of the fixing pin 16 is slidably fitted into the through-hole 15e in the main body 15a. Therefore, by pulling the fixing pin 16 forward, the tip of the fixing pin 16 comes out of the fixing hole 12d, and the rotating shaft 13, the support piece 15, and the support plate 2 become rotatable.

[0103] As shown in Figure 11, the support plate 2 is a plate-like component extending horizontally. The support plate 2 has a rectangular shape in a plan view, with a notch 2a provided in the center of the right side. This notch 2a is a space for arranging components extending in the vertical direction, such as the stirring shaft 4. A support shaft 20 extending downward is provided on the underside of the support plate 2. A recessed surface 21 is provided on the left side of the support shaft 20. A rack (not shown) is provided in the vertical direction on the recessed surface 21.

[0104] As shown in Figure 14, the sealed container 3 includes a connecting portion 29, an upper lid portion 30, a cylindrical portion 31, a lower lid portion 32, and a filter plate 33. The connecting portion 29 is a component disposed below the support plate 2. The connecting portion 29 is fastened to a bolt that passes through the support plate 2, and is integrated with the support plate 2. The upper lid portion 30 and the lower lid portion 32 close the upper and lower openings of the cylindrical portion 31. This forms a filter chamber S inside the sealed container 3. The upper lid portion 30 is fixed to the lower side of the connecting portion 29 by a bolt (not shown). The cylindrical portion 31 forms a side wall of the filter chamber S.

[0105] The cylindrical portion 31 and the lower cover portion 32 are each connected to the support shaft 20 via an arm portion 22. The arm portion 22 extends leftward from the left wall portion of the cylindrical portion 31 or the lower wall portion of the lower cover portion 32. The arm portion 22 is composed of a pair of plate members 22a facing each other in the front-to-rear direction (note that only one of the plate members 22a is shown in FIG. 14). A pinion 23 is rotatably supported at the left end of the arm portion 22. The pinion 23 meshes with a rack of the support shaft 20. A protrusion 24 is provided between the pair of plate members 22a and abuts against the right side surface of the support shaft 20. The arm portion 22 is connected to the support shaft 20 so as to be movable up and down by being sandwiched between the pinion 23 and the protrusion 24 from the left and right.

[0106] Then, as the lower cover 32 moves downward, the lower side of the tubular portion 31 is opened (see FIG. 21 ). Furthermore, as the tubular portion 31 moves downward, the upper side of the tubular portion 31 is opened. Therefore, the upper cover 30, the tubular portion 31, and the lower cover 32 can be separated from each other. This structure makes it easy to clean the upper cover 30, the tubular portion 31, and the lower cover 32. In addition, the arm portion 22 is provided with a pawl (not shown) that engages with the teeth of the pinion 23, forming a ratchet mechanism. Therefore, the rotation of the pinion 23 is restricted by the pawl, thereby positioning the tubular portion 31 and the lower cover 32 in the vertical direction.

[0107] The filter plate 33 is a plate-like member disposed on the upper surface 32a of the lower cover 32 and extending horizontally. The filter plate 33 has a plurality of holes 33a penetrating in the vertical direction. The upper surface of the filter plate 33 has a recess 33b recessed downward. A filter medium 34 is disposed in this recess 33b. As described above, when slurry is introduced into the filter chamber S, the liquid passes through the filter medium 34 and the holes 33a of the filter plate 33 and flows toward the upper surface 32a of the lower cover 32. Meanwhile, solids are deposited above the filter medium 34.

[0108] An opening 32b for discharging liquid to the outside is provided in the center of the lower lid 32. A discharge pipe 35 is connected to the opening 32b. A drain groove (not shown) connected to the opening 32b is provided on the upper surface 32a of the lower lid 32. Therefore, liquid that has flowed onto the upper surface 32a of the lower lid 32 flows from the opening 32b to the discharge pipe 35 and is discharged to the outside.

[0109] The sealed container 3 is also provided with an inlet pipe 36, a cleaning liquid supply pipe (not shown), a pressurizing pipe 37, and an exhaust pipe (not shown). The inlet pipe 36 penetrates the upper wall of the top lid 30 and is a pipe for supplying slurry into the filter chamber S. The cleaning liquid supply pipe is a pipe for supplying cleaning liquid into the filter chamber S. The pressurizing pipe 37 is a pipe that connects the filter chamber S with the outside space. In this embodiment, a supply port 37a is provided on the outer surface of the connecting portion 29. Therefore, by attaching a pressurizing device that supplies gas such as air or an inert gas to this supply port 37a, air or the like can be supplied to the filter chamber S. The exhaust pipe (not shown) is a pipe for discharging gas from the filter chamber S to the outside.

[0110] A jacket 90 may also be installed on the outer periphery of the sealed container 3. This jacket 90 is a temperature control means for the sealed container that is attached to the outer periphery of the sealed container 3. The jacket 90 has a flow path through which a heat medium flows. When the heat medium 93 flowing through the flow path is heated, the jacket 90 heats the sealed container 3, and when the heat medium flowing through the flow path is cooled, the jacket 90 cools the sealed container 3. In this embodiment, since hot water 93, which is the heat medium, is supplied, the jacket 90 heats the sealed container 3. The jacket 90 also includes a first jacket 90B attached to the underside of the lower cover 32 and a second jacket 90A attached to the outer periphery of the side wall of the tubular portion 31. The temperature inside the sealed container 3 is regulated by a hot water supply line 95a that supplies hot water 93 from a hot water supply device 94, which is a heat transfer medium supply device, a connection line 95b that supplies hot water 93 to a second jacket 90B attached from the first jacket 90A, and a return line 95c that returns the hot water supply device 94 from the second jacket 92, so that the hot water 93 is kept at a predetermined temperature.

[0111] The agitation shaft 4 is a shaft member that extends in the up-down direction (vertical direction). As shown in Figure 14, the agitation shaft 4 penetrates the connecting portion 29 and the upper cover portion 30 of the sealed container 3, and a lower portion 41 of the agitation shaft 4 is disposed in the filtration chamber S. In addition, the upper cover portion 30 is provided with a seal 40 that seals the hole through which the agitation shaft 4 penetrates.

[0112] The agitator blade 5 is a member used for agitation. The agitator blade 5 of this embodiment includes a cylindrical, bottomed central portion 50 into which the lower portion 41 of the agitator shaft 4 fits, and a plurality of L-shaped blade portions 51 extending horizontally from the central portion 50 and upward from its end. Thus, the blade portions 51 rotate above the filter medium 34, which is the bottom of the filter chamber S, and along the sidewall of the tubular portion 31, which is the side surface of the filter chamber S. With this type of blade portion 51, the upper end 52 of the blade portion 51 is positioned relatively high, allowing agitation above the sidewall of the tubular portion 31. Furthermore, the blade portion 51 is provided with an arc-shaped notch 53, which reduces resistance during agitation. The agitator blade 5 of this embodiment is also referred to as an anchor-shaped blade. Furthermore, the shape of the agitator blade in this invention is not limited to an anchor-shaped blade. Therefore, conventional agitator blades, such as paddle-shaped blades, may also be used in this invention.

[0113] As shown in Figure 15, the agitator shaft 4 passes through the notch 2a in the support plate 2 and extends above the support plate 2. The power transmission unit 6 is a reducer that decelerates the rotational motion of the motor output shaft 70. The power transmission unit 6 includes a main body 60, a drive shaft tube 61, and a transmission shaft tube 62. The main body 60 is disposed above the support plate 2 and is fixed to the support plate 2 with bolts (not shown). The motor 7 is fixed to the right of the main body 60. The output shaft 70 of the motor 7 is inserted inside the main body 60. The main body 60 decelerates the rotational force transmitted from the output shaft 70, and further converts the orientation of the agitator shaft 4 to the vertical direction before transmitting the force to the drive shaft tube 61.

[0114] The drive shaft tube 61 is a cylindrical component extending in the vertical direction. The drive shaft tube 61 is rotatably supported by the main body 60. The drive shaft tube 61 penetrates the main body 60 in the vertical direction. The drive shaft tube 61 is positioned so as to overlap the notch 2a of the support plate 2 in a plan view. The drive shaft tube 61 passes through the notch 2a of the support plate 2, and the lower end 61a of the drive shaft tube 61 is located below the lower surface of the support plate 2. The agitator shaft 4 passes through the inside of the drive shaft tube 61 and extends above the main body 60. The inner circumferential surface of the drive shaft tube 61 and the outer circumferential surface of the agitator shaft 4 are spaced apart. Therefore, power is not directly transmitted from the drive shaft tube 61 to the agitator shaft 4. However, the upper portion 61b of the drive shaft tube protrudes above the main body 60.

[0115] The transmission shaft cylinder 62 is a cylindrical component extending in the vertical direction, and is rotatably supported by a base 63 provided on the main body 60. A lower portion 62a of the transmission shaft cylinder 62 is fitted onto the outer periphery of the drive shaft cylinder 61. A key 64 is provided between the inner circumferential surface of the transmission shaft cylinder 62 and the outer circumferential surface of the drive shaft cylinder 61. The key 64 connects the transmission shaft cylinder 62 and the drive shaft cylinder 61 so that they cannot rotate relative to each other in the circumferential direction. Therefore, the transmission shaft cylinder 62 rotates together with the drive shaft cylinder 61.

[0116] The upper portion 62b of the transmission shaft tube 62 protrudes upward beyond the drive shaft tube 61. Therefore, the inner peripheral surface of the upper portion 62b of the transmission shaft tube 62 faces the outer peripheral surface of the agitator shaft 4. A plurality of vertically extending spline grooves 42 are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral surface of the upper portion of the agitator shaft 4. Furthermore, a plurality of vertically extending ball retaining grooves 65 are provided on the inner peripheral surface of the upper portion 62b of the transmission shaft tube 62, facing the spline grooves 42. A plurality of balls 66 are disposed in the ball retaining grooves 65. These balls 66 also fit into the spline grooves 42. Therefore, when the transmission shaft tube 62 rotates, the balls 66 move circumferentially, causing the agitator shaft 4 to rotate. On the other hand, when the agitator shaft 4 moves vertically, the balls 66 roll in the spline grooves 42. As described above, the power transmission unit 6 does not impede the vertical movement of the agitator shaft 4.

[0117] As shown in Figure 16, the lifting unit 8 comprises two fixed parts 80 fixed to the upper surface of the main body 60, two leg parts 81 extending vertically from the fixed parts 80, two rollers 82 that guide the leg parts 81, two horizontal parts 83 extending horizontally from the leg parts 81, a first support part 84 supported by the horizontal parts 83, and a second support part 85 arranged above the first support part 84.

[0118] The fixing portion 80 is a plate-like member extending horizontally. The fixing portion 80 has a hole 80a that penetrates in the vertical direction. As shown in FIG. 11 , one of the two fixing portions is positioned to the left front of the agitation shaft 4. The remaining one of the two fixing portions is positioned to the right rear of the agitation shaft 4. Therefore, the two fixing portions 80, the two leg portions 81, the two rollers 82, and the two horizontal portions 83 are arranged diagonally across the agitation shaft 4.

[0119] As shown in Figure 16, the outer surface of the leg 81 (the surface opposite to the surface facing the stirring shaft 4) is provided with a concave surface 81a on which the roller 82 rolls. The roller 82 is rotatably supported by a support piece 82a provided on the upper surface of the fixed part 80. A handle 82b is provided on the end surface of the roller 82. Therefore, when the handle 82b is gripped to rotate the roller 82, the leg 81 abutting against the roller 82 moves up and down. In the present invention, the roller may be a pinion, and the concave surface 81a of the leg 81 may be a rack. In other words, the leg 81 may be raised and lowered by a rack and pinion.

[0120] The leg 81 is provided with a plurality of through holes 81b in the vertical direction, which penetrate in a direction parallel to the axis of the roller 82. The support piece 82a is provided with a through hole (not shown) that faces the through hole 81b of the leg 81. The support piece 82a is provided with a fixed pin 82c that passes through the through hole of the support piece 82a and the through hole 81b of the leg 81. This prevents the leg 81 from moving in the vertical direction. The fixed pin 82c is slidably fitted into the through hole of the support piece 82a and the through hole 81b of the leg 81. Therefore, the leg 81 can be moved in the vertical direction by removing the fixed pin 82c.

[0121] The horizontal portion 83 is a member that connects the upper portion of the leg portion 81 to the first support portion 84. The first support portion 84 is a cylindrical component. Therefore, when the leg portion 81 moves up and down, the fixing pin 86 that abuts against the upper surface 84b of the first support portion 84 also moves up and down in accordance with the leg portion 81, and the stirring shaft 4 moves up and down.

[0122] The second support portion 85 is a cylindrical part with a bottom that is fixed above the first support portion 84 .

[0123] As described above, according to the filtration device of this embodiment, the sealed container 3, the stirring shaft 4, the stirring blades 5, the power transmission unit 6, the motor 7, and the lifting unit 8 rotate integrally by rotating the support plate 2. Therefore, the sealed container 3, the power transmission unit 6, the motor 7, and the lifting unit 8 can each be tilted (see FIG. 20B).

[0124] 11 and 13, the bent portion 15c of the support piece 15 extends above the horizontal portion 11. Therefore, the rotation direction of the support plate 2 is limited to the clockwise direction (see arrow A in FIG. 13) when the biomass treatment device 100 is viewed from the front.

[0125] Next, after the powdering process is completed, a container 150 is prepared below the right wall of the cylindrical portion 31, as shown in Figure 22. Next, the lower cover 32 is moved downward to separate the cylindrical portion 31 and the lower cover 32 vertically. As a result, the powder 140 that accumulates from above the filter medium 34 toward the right wall of the cylindrical portion 31 passes between the cylindrical portion 31 and the lower cover 32 by gravity, is discharged outside the filter chamber S, and is collected in a container (not shown). This makes it easy to discharge the powder 140. When discharging the powder 140, the support plate 2 may be rotated to an angle that makes it easier to discharge the powder 140.

[0126] During the above-described powdering process, the rotation angle of the support plate 2 in FIG. 12B is approximately 45°, but the present invention is not limited to this. The angle is not particularly limited as long as the wet cake 202 can be lifted by the agitator blade 5 and allowed to fall downward by gravity. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 23, the support plate 2 may be rotated 90° so that the right side wall of the cylindrical portion 31 extends horizontally. However, in the state shown in FIG. 23, there is a possibility that the wet cake or powder may enter between the seals 40. Therefore, it is preferable to limit the rotation angle of the support plate 2 to an angle that will prevent the wet cake or powder from scattering toward the seals 40.

[0127] Additionally, the biomass treatment device 100 is capable of solvent replacement. As shown in FIG. 24 , for example, a new replacement solvent to replace the solvent in the slurry is introduced through the inlet pipe 36, thereby reducing the concentration of the original solvent contained in the slurry. Then, gas is supplied to the filter chamber S through the supply port 37a of the pressure pipe 37. This causes the solvent to pass through the filter medium 34, reducing the amount of solvent in the filter chamber S. New replacement solvent is again introduced through the inlet pipe 36, further reducing the concentration of the original solvent that was initially contained. Then, the amount of solvent in the filter chamber S is reduced by applying pressure. By repeating this process, the ratio of the new replacement solvent gradually increases, and eventually the solvent in the solution is replaced by the new replacement solvent.

[0128] Furthermore, when performing such solvent substitution, the sealed container 3 may be tilted as shown in Figure 24. In this way, part of the solids 160 flows toward the right wall of the cylindrical portion 31. As a result, part of the filter medium 34 is no longer covered by the solids 160, and the filtration resistance is reduced. In other words, the solvent is smoothly discharged from the part of the filter medium 34 that is not covered by the solids 160 (see arrow B in Figure 16), thereby shortening the time required for the substitution operation.

[0129] The preferred inclination angle of the sealed container 3 in the solvent substitution process is 90°, as shown in Figure 16. At this angle, the solids 160 accumulate on the right side wall of the cylindrical portion 31 of the sealed container 3, and the area of ​​the filter medium 34 covered by the solids 160 is minimized. This allows the solvent to be discharged most smoothly. After the solvent substitution, the cake that has undergone the deliquoring process described above may be subjected to a powdering process. Furthermore, a washing process may be performed in addition to the solvent substitution.

[0130] 100 Biomass treatment device 200, 200A to 200G Extraction system 201 Biomass raw material 202 Solubilization treatment device 204 Biomass treatment device 205 Valuable material recovery device 211 Solubilization treatment liquid 212 Filtration product (wet cake) 212W Washed product 213 Dried product (dry cake) 214 Valuable material 215 Extraction solvent 216 Valuable material dissolving liquid 217 Substitution solvent 218 Solvent substitution product 220 Washing liquid S11 Solubilization treatment process S12 First filtration process S13 Drying process S14 Extraction process S15 Washing process S16 Second filtration process S17 Drying process S18 Solvent substitution process S19 Solvent drying process S20 Valuable material recovery process

Claims

1. A system for extracting valuables from biomass raw materials comprising: a solubilization treatment device that performs hydrothermal solubilization treatment on biomass raw materials; a filtration device that filters the solubilization treatment liquid from the solubilization treatment device; an extraction device that extracts valuables in the filtrate obtained by the filtration device into a solvent; and a valuables recovery device that recovers valuable components from the valuables dissolved liquid obtained by the extraction device.

2. The system for extracting valuable materials from biomass raw materials according to claim 1, further comprising at least one of a washing device for washing the filtered material, and a solvent replacement device for performing solvent replacement.

3. A system for extracting valuable materials from biomass raw materials as described in claim 1 or 2, further comprising a drying device between the filtering device and the extracting device.

4. A system for extracting valuables from biomass raw materials, comprising: a solubilization treatment device which performs hydrothermal solubilization treatment of biomass raw materials; a first filtration step which filters the solubilization treatment liquid from the solubilization treatment device; and an extraction step which extracts valuables in the first filtrate obtained by the first filtration step into a solvent within a single device; and a valuables recovery device which recovers valuable components from the valuables dissolved liquid obtained by the extraction step outside the system of the biomass treatment device.

5. The system for extracting valuable materials from biomass raw materials according to claim 4, further comprising a drying step between the first filtration step and the extraction step.

6. A system for extracting valuable materials from biomass raw materials as described in claim 4, characterized in that at least one of the following steps are further carried out within the biomass treatment device: a washing process for washing the first filtrate, a second filtration process for filtering the washed product after washing, and a solvent replacement process for performing solvent replacement, and a third filtration process for filtering the solvent-replaced product after solvent replacement.

7. The system for extracting valuable materials from biomass raw materials according to claim 6, further comprising a drying step after the second filtration step or the third filtration step.

8. A system for extracting valuables from biomass raw materials, comprising: a biomass processing device which essentially comprises a step of hydrothermal solubilizing a biomass raw material; and a filtration step of filtering the solubilization liquid from the solubilization step; a drying step of drying the filtered material obtained from the filtration step; and an extraction step of extracting valuables from the dried material obtained from the drying step into a solvent within a single device; and a valuables recovery device which recovers valuables components outside the system of the biomass processing device.

9. The system for extracting valuable materials from biomass raw materials as described in claim 8, further comprising at least one of a washing process for washing the filtered material and a solvent replacement process for performing solvent replacement within the biomass treatment device.

10. A method for extracting valuable materials from biomass raw materials, comprising: a solubilization process for hydrothermal solubilization of biomass raw materials; a first filtration process for filtering the solubilization liquid from the solubilization process; and an extraction process for extracting valuable material components to be extracted from the first filtrate obtained in the first filtration process.

11. The system for extracting valuable materials from biomass raw materials according to claim 10, further comprising a drying step between the first filtration step and the extraction step.

12. A method for extracting valuable materials from biomass raw materials as described in claim 10, characterized in that after the first filtration step, it includes a washing step of washing the first filtrate, and a second filtration step of filtering the washed residue.

13. The method for extracting valuable materials from biomass raw materials according to claim 12, further comprising, after the second filtration step, a drying step of drying the second filtered material obtained in the second filtration step.

14. A method for extracting valuable materials from biomass raw materials as described in claim 10, characterized in that after the first filtration step, a solvent replacement step is performed in which the first filtrate is subjected to solvent replacement using a polar solvent, and a third filtration step is performed in which the solvent-replaced product after solvent replacement is filtered.

15. The method for extracting valuable substances from biomass raw materials according to claim 14, further comprising a solvent drying step for drying the solvent after the third filtration step.

16. A method for extracting valuable materials from biomass raw materials as described in claim 12, characterized in that after the second filtration step, a solvent replacement step is performed using a polar solvent to replace the second filtrate obtained in the filtration step, and a third filtration step is performed to filter the solvent-replaced product after solvent replacement.

17. The method for extracting valuable substances from biomass raw materials according to claim 16, further comprising a solvent drying step of drying the polar solvent after the third filtration step.

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