Bio-derived Graphite Production from Pyrolysis Bio-oil

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for producing graphite from petroleum or mineral sources are inefficient, costly, and environmentally problematic, and bio-oil residue from pyrolysis is of low value and difficult to upgrade.

Innovation Solution

A method involving pyrolyzing biomass to produce bio-oil, distilling it into light and heavy fractions, calcining the heavy fractions, and graphitizing them to create bio-derived coke and graphene with high carbon content and low impurities, suitable for use in lithium-ion batteries and other applications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If current methods are used to produce graphite from petroleum or mineral sources, then graphite production is achieved, but the process is inefficient, costly, and environmentally problematic

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegraphite production efficiencyVSAvoidenvironmental impact

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the feedstock parameter from petroleum/mineral sources to biomass, fundamentally altering the production system. This parameter change enables renewable resource utilization, reduces environmental harm, and improves production efficiency through controlled pyrolysis conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts bio-oil residue, which is typically a low-value waste product difficult to upgrade, into a valuable graphite precursor. By utilizing this previously discarded material as feedstock for graphite production, the process transforms a harmful waste stream into a beneficial resource, simultaneously improving efficiency and reducing environmental impact

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Quantity of substance

If bio-oil residue is used as is, then storage and transport costs are reduced due to higher density, but the material is of low value and difficult to upgrade

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebio-oil densityVSAvoidupgrade difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies fractional distillation to separate bio-oil into light and heavy fractions, then uses the heavy fraction as a graphite precursor. This process converts the previously difficult-to-upgrade heavy residue into a valuable material for producing high-purity graphite and graphene, transforming a manufacturing burden into an opportunity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments bio-oil into different fractions through distillation, with the heavy fraction being specifically selected for graphite production. This segmentation allows optimization of each fraction for different purposes, making the heavy fraction suitable for high-value graphite applications while maintaining the density advantage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 results in a renewable, sustainable, and cost-effective production of high-purity carbon products, reducing environmental impact and energy consumption, with potential to replace mineral and synthetic graphite in energy storage applications.

Implementation Method 1

Pyrolysis is the thermal decomposition of biomass occurring in the absence of oxygen

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPyrolysis: Pyrolysis

Implementation Method 2

distilling the bio-oil to produce light and heavy fractions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDistillation: Distillation

Implementation Method 3

calcining the heavy fractions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCalcination:

Implementation Method 4

graphitizing the heavy fractions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGraphitization:

Data Source

PatentUS11274042B2Valorization of bio-oils

Publication Date: 2022.03.15 ALLIANCE FOR ENERGY INNOVATION LLC

AI summary

Methods are disclosed to make coke, graphite, graphene and other materials from biomass derived bio-oil.