Bio-oil Yield from Municipal Solid Waste via Adsorption and Fermentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing processes for producing bio-oil from municipal solid waste require high temperatures and pressures, leading to increased production costs and lower yields due to organic material remaining dissolved in the aqueous phase.
Innovation Solution
A process involving liquefaction of municipal solid waste, treatment of the aqueous phase with an adsorbing material, followed by fermentation, and subsequent liquefaction of the biomass, allowing for increased bio-oil yield under milder temperature and pressure conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high temperatures and pressures are used for liquefaction, then the liquefaction process can be completed, but production costs increase and bio-oil yield decreases due to organic material remaining dissolved in the aqueous phase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by treating the aqueous phase with adsorbing materials (such as activated carbon, zeolites, or ion-exchange resins) before fermentation to remove dissolved organic materials. This preliminary removal prevents these materials from being lost during subsequent fermentation processes, thereby increasing bio-oil yield while avoiding the need for excessively high temperatures and pressures that would increase energy costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by optimizing the liquefaction conditions to operate at moderate temperatures and pressures rather than extreme conditions. By carefully controlling parameters such as temperature (150-350°C), pressure (5-170 bar), and residence time (5-240 minutes), the process achieves effective liquefaction while minimizing energy consumption and preventing excessive dissolution of organic materials in the aqueous phase.
2Productivity
If high temperatures and pressures are used for liquefaction, then the liquefaction process can be completed, but production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes liquefaction parameters to achieve effective conversion at moderate temperatures (150-350°C) and pressures (5-170 bar), avoiding the need for extreme conditions that would consume excessive energy. This parameter optimization maintains production efficiency while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to conventional high-temperature high-pressure processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces water as an intermediary medium in the liquefaction process. Water serves as both a reaction medium and a heat transfer medium, enabling the process to proceed at lower temperatures and pressures while still achieving effective biomass conversion. This intermediary approach reduces the direct thermal stress on the system and lowers overall energy requirements.
3Productivity
If organic material remains dissolved in the aqueous phase, then the liquefaction process is simpler, but bio-oil yield decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by implementing an adsorption step before fermentation to remove dissolved organic materials from the aqueous phase. This preliminary treatment, using readily available adsorbing materials like activated carbon or zeolites, effectively recovers organic compounds that would otherwise be lost, increasing bio-oil yield without requiring complex additional equipment or procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs discarding and recovering by selectively removing dissolved organic materials from the aqueous phase through adsorption, then recovering these materials as valuable components for bio-oil production. This approach transforms what would be waste or loss into a recoverable resource, enhancing overall yield while maintaining process simplicity through the use of straightforward adsorption technology.
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 process enhances bio-oil yield by utilizing the organic material in the aqueous phase and reduces production costs by operating at lower temperatures and pressures, while producing bio-oil suitable for biofuels or energy generation.
Implementation Method 1
subjecting the aqueous phase obtained from said liquefaction to a treatment with at least one adsorbing material
Implementation Method 2
subjecting the aqueous phase obtained from said treatment with at least one adsorbing material to fermentation
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
A process for the production of bio-oil from municipal solid waste, comprising the following steps: a) subjecting said municipal solid waste to liquefaction obtaining a mixture including an oily- phase consisting of bio-oil, a solid phase and a first aqueous phase; b) subjecting the first aqueous phase obtained in the liquefaction step a) to a treatment with at least one adsorbing material obtaining a second aqueous phase; c) subjecting the second aqueous phase obtained in the treatment step b) with at least one adsorbing material to fermentation obtaining a biomass; d) subjecting the biomass obtained in the fermentation step c) to said liquefaction step a). The bio-oil (or bio-crude) thus obtained can be advantageously used in the production of biofuels which can be used as such or mixed with other fuels for motor vehicles. Alternatively, said bio-oil (or bio-crude) can be used as such (biocombustible) or mixed with fossil combustibles (combustible oil, coal, etc.) for the generation of electric energy or heat.