Bagasse Desolventization via Thermal Evaporation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The process of removing organic solvents from wet bagasse obtained from non-Hevea plants is inefficient, resulting in residual solvents in the bagasse, which complicates further processing and poses environmental concerns.
Innovation Solution
A method involving heating wet bagasse containing up to 75% organic solvents and water to a temperature of at least 100°C to evaporate the solvents, reducing the solvent content to no more than 1% in the dried bagasse, using apparatuses like multiple-layer dryers or desolventization screw extruders, and optionally condensing the evaporated solvents for separate collection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If organic solvent-based rubber extraction processes are used for non-Hevea plants, then rubber can be extracted from the plant, but the bagasse contains residual organic solvents that complicate further processing and pose environmental concerns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful residual solvents from the bagasse by heating it to evaporate the solvents. This separates the harmful component (solvents) from the useful material (bagasse), allowing the bagasse to be processed further or disposed of safely while recovering the solvents for potential reuse.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the temperature parameter by heating the bagasse to at least 100°C, which alters the physical state of the solvents from liquid to vapor phase, enabling their removal from the bagasse matrix and resolving the contamination issue.
2Manufacturing precision
If wet bagasse containing up to 75% organic solvents is processed, then solvent removal is required, but the process complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the solvent removal process into distinct functional zones within a single continuous processor. Different sections of the processor handle different aspects of solvent removal (evaporation, condensation, separation), making the complex task manageable and the equipment design simpler.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple functions (heating, evaporation, condensation, and separation) into a single integrated continuous processor. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate equipment pieces needed, simplifying the overall system while maintaining high solvent removal efficiency.
3Reliability
If heating is applied to evaporate solvents, then solvent content is reduced to acceptable levels, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful presence of solvents into a beneficial process by using their evaporation as the driving mechanism for separation. The solvents, which were previously a contamination problem, become the key to the separation process through their phase change, enabling efficient removal while the condensed solvents can be recovered and reused, offsetting the energy input required.
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 method effectively reduces the organic solvent content in bagasse to acceptable levels, facilitating safer handling and potential reuse or disposal of the dried bagasse, while also allowing for the recovery of solvents, thus improving processing efficiency and environmental safety.
Implementation Method 1
heating the wet bagasse to a temperature of at least 100° C. whereby the organic solvents are evaporated
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein are methods for the removal of organic solvents from wet bagasse. The use of the methods result in dried bagasse that contains no more than 1 weight percent organic solvents.