Alkaline Solvolysis for Waste-to-Synthesis Gas Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current waste recycling methods face limitations in achieving high utilization of substances and energies from waste, particularly with mixed waste, shredder residues, and hazardous materials, often resulting in unsatisfactory separation and down-cycling, with high production costs and environmental hazards.
Innovation Solution
The method involves solvolysis in an alkaline solution to break down organic components of waste into a liquid phase, followed by separation and conversion into fuel or synthesis gas through thermochemical conversion, utilizing solvolysis reactions to degrade biopolymers, plastics, and other materials, and subsequent rectification, extraction, or hydrogenation to produce valuable products.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If mechanical/physical waste separation methods are used, then material recycling is achieved, but separation results are unsatisfactory and only material use is possible without energy recovery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by transforming the physical state of waste materials through solvolysis in alkaline solution, converting solid/liquid waste into a liquid phase containing dissolved organic components. This chemical transformation enables subsequent separation and recovery of both material and energy, resolving the contradiction between substance utilization and energy recovery that plagues mechanical separation methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary alkaline solution that facilitates the conversion of waste into a separable liquid phase. This intermediary medium enables the extraction of organic components and inorganic components through different mechanisms, allowing simultaneous recovery of materials and energy that would otherwise be lost in conventional mechanical separation processes.
2Use of energy by moving object
If incineration is used for residual fractions, then energy generation is achieved, but production costs are lost because incineration cost exceeds calorific value
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful aspect of waste incineration (high processing costs exceeding energy value) into a benefit by first extracting valuable organic components through solvolysis. The remaining inorganic residue, which would require expensive incineration, is instead processed through cheaper thermal treatment after the valuable organics have been recovered, making the overall process economically viable while still achieving energy generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing solvolysis and organic component extraction before any thermal processing or incineration of residual fractions. This preliminary separation removes the valuable organic materials that would otherwise require expensive incineration, leaving only inorganic residues that can be processed more economically, thus resolving the cost-energy contradiction.
3Adaptability or versatility
If down-cycling is used for recovered materials, then material reuse is achieved, but real market opportunities are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts organic components from waste through solvolysis in alkaline solution, separating them from inorganic materials. This extraction produces concentrated organic fractions with specific compositions that can be targeted for high-value applications such as chemical feedstocks, fuel production, or specialized materials, rather than generic down-cycling products. The selective extraction enables tailoring products to specific market demands, improving both adaptability and market opportunity.
4Loss of substance
If solvolysis in alkaline solution is used, then high degree of substance utilization is achieved, but process complexity increases compared to mechanical separation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by using a single alkaline solvolysis process to achieve multiple objectives simultaneously: breaking down waste into separable components, concentrating organic materials, and preparing residues for further processing. This multi-functional approach consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate mechanical separation processes, reducing overall process complexity while maintaining high substance utilization.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables a high degree of substance utilization and energy recovery, reducing environmental hazards and production costs, and producing valuable products from previously difficult-to-recycle materials, such as PVC and hazardous waste.
Implementation Method 1
the organic components of the waste are first solvolyzed in an alkaline solution
Implementation Method 2
with subsequent separation of the inorganic components that have settled
Implementation Method 3
the organic components of the towing steam are separated from the water and then separated by rectification, extraction, sorption or derivatization
Implementation Method 4
the organic components of the towing steam are separated from the water and then separated by rectification, extraction, sorption or derivatization
Implementation Method 5
the organic components of the towing steam are separated from the water and then separated by rectification, extraction, sorption or derivatization
Implementation Method 6
converted to fuel or synthesis gas by thermochemical conversion (gasification)
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for producing synthesis gas and/or liquid raw materials and/or energy storage media from biomass and/or waste, wherein waste refers to all biogenic and organic residue and waste comprising adhering or bound inorganic materials, pollutants, and water. According to the invention, the feed materials, which can optionally be mechanically processed, are fed to a solvolysis reactor by completely converting the organic components of the biomass and/or waste to the liquid phase in a high-concentration alkaline solution or hydrate melt at a temperature of 150°C -250°C and a pressure of 3 to 12 bar, and by sedimenting the inorganic components. Biomass can also be completely dissolved this way, as well as waste containing plastics. The sedimented inorganic components can be separated from the liquid phase using physical separation methods and can be processed for the purposes of recovering valuable materials, in particular metals. By transferring the entrained steam arising from the solvolysis to a rectification column, the organic components of the steam can be separated from water. The yield of separated organic substances can be increased through catalytic hydration and a quantitative yield is possible in the limiting case. Further processing of the organic material for energetic and/or material utilization is done in multiple processing steps through rectification, distillation, extraction, sorption and/or thermochemical gasification. Non-separable organic components that exist primarily in aqueous solution or suspension are preferably gasified to form a synthesis gas or are incinerated for energetic recovery. Through the final thermal processes or during separation of the organic material, the alkali is recovered, which can be reused as a reactant.