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 the wet bagasse to temperatures above 100 °C, either in a multi-layer apparatus with circulating air or using a desolventization screw extruder, to evaporate and remove organic solvents, thereby reducing the solvent content to less than 1 weight % in the dried bagasse.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional solvent removal methods are used on wet bagasse, then the process is simple, but the organic solvent content remains high (up to 45 weight %)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by heating the wet bagasse to elevated temperatures (above 100°C) to alter the physical state and volatility of organic solvents, enabling their evaporation and removal from the bagasse matrix
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes phase transitions by converting organic solvents from liquid phase to vapor phase through heating, allowing the solvents to escape from the wet bagasse and be removed from the system
2Quantity of substance
If heating to evaporate solvents is applied, then solvent content is reduced to below 1 weight %, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies extraction by separating and removing the harmful organic solvents from the wet bagasse through evaporation, leaving behind cleaned bagasse with residual solvent content below 1 weight percent
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the harmful effect of residual solvents into a benefit by using the solvents' volatility and evaporability as the mechanism for their own removal, transforming the problem of solvent presence into the solution of solvent elimination
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 the bagasse to acceptable levels, facilitating further processing and minimizing environmental impact by eliminating solvent residues.
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.