Bio-Oil Contaminant Removal Using Electrostatic Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for removing impurities and solids from bio-diesel oils, such as Crude Tall Oil (CTO), are inefficient, limiting the refinement process's efficiency and value.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a mixing device to form a mixture of bio-oil and a wash material, followed by electrostatic separation using an electric field to separate the wash material from the bio-oil, with optional secondary cleaning stages and controlled by a controller for optimized separation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If conventional distillation is used to treat bio-diesel oil, then the valuable chemical fraction can be retrieved, but impurities and solids remain in the oil

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevaluable chemical fractionVSAvoidoil purity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an electrostatic separator as an intermediary device between distillation and final product. This separator uses electric fields to remove impurities and solids from the bio-diesel oil, acting as a mediator that enhances purity without affecting the valuable chemical fraction already extracted through distillation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces conventional mechanical filtration methods with an electrostatic separation system. Instead of using physical filters or centrifugal separation, the system applies electric fields to selectively remove charged impurity particles from the oil, achieving higher precision without mechanical contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Manufacturing precision

If multiple cleaning stages are added to remove impurities, then oil quality improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoil qualityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the electrostatic separation process by adjusting electrical parameters such as voltage, electrode configuration, and flow rate. By changing these parameters, the system achieves effective impurity removal in a single or minimal number of stages, avoiding the need for multiple complex cleaning units while maintaining high oil quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Enhances the quality and value of bio-diesel oils by effectively removing impurities and solids, optimizing the refinement process through multiple stages of mixing and electrostatic separation.

Implementation Method 1

applying an electric field to the mixture, in the electrostatic separator, to separate the wash material from the bio-oil

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic separation: Electrostatics

Data Source

PatentUS20250281853A1Process and system for contaminants removal

Publication Date: 2025.09.11 CAMERSON INT CORP

AI summary

Embodiments described herein provide a method, comprising routing a bio-oil to a mixing device; routing a wash material to the mixing device; using the mixing device to form a mixture from the bio-oil and the wash material; routing the mixture to an electrostatic separator; and applying an electric field to the mixture, in the electrostatic separator, to separate the wash material from the bio-oil.