Biochar Adsorption for Process Water Purification

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Solution Overview

Problem

The treatment of process water from biomass pyrolysis poses significant capital and operational costs due to the need for separate and dedicated wastewater processing systems, and existing methods require extensive external resources and equipment.

Innovation Solution

A biochar recycling process that involves pyrolyzing biomass to produce gaseous compounds and biochar, using the biochar as an adsorptive medium to remove contaminants from process water, and integrating this process within the biomass conversion system to minimize external treatment requirements and recycle valuable components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a separate dedicated wastewater processing system is used to treat process water, then contaminant removal effectiveness is improved, but capital investment and operational costs increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontaminant removal effectivenessVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the water treatment function with the existing biomass conversion system by using biochar produced during pyrolysis as an adsorbent in the treatment process. This integration eliminates the need for a separate dedicated wastewater processing system, thereby reducing capital investment and operational costs while maintaining effective contaminant removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses self-produced biochar from the pyrolysis process to treat the process water. The biochar is generated as a byproduct of the biomass conversion and is then utilized in the water treatment through adsorption, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating external treatment requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If external treatment resources and equipment are applied to process water, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but operational costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment effectivenessVSAvoidoperational costs

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs self-generated biochar from the pyrolysis process to perform water treatment functions. This self-service approach eliminates the need for external treatment resources and equipment, significantly reducing operational costs while maintaining treatment effectiveness through the adsorption properties of the biochar.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of discarding biochar as waste or requiring external treatment materials, the system recovers and utilizes the biochar produced during pyrolysis for water treatment. This recovery approach reduces operational costs by eliminating the need to purchase external treatment resources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Device complexity

If minimal treatment is applied to process water, then capital investment is reduced, but contaminant removal effectiveness decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapital investmentVSAvoidcontaminant removal effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses biochar, which can be considered a relatively simple and inexpensive adsorbent compared to complex external treatment systems. The biochar is produced at low cost during pyrolysis and provides effective contaminant removal through adsorption, achieving minimal but effective treatment without requiring expensive capital investment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 effectively reduces contaminant levels in process water to parts-per-billion levels with minimal capital investment, allowing for efficient reuse or discharge of treated water, while recycling valuable materials and reducing operational costs.

Implementation Method 1

passing the process water through a biochar-containing adsorptive medium; and removing gaseous organic compounds from the process water

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 2

heating the water to remove gaseous organic compounds

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 3

pyrolyzing biomass to produce gaseous compounds and biochar

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPyrolysis: Pyrolysis

Data Source

PatentUS9944538B2System and method for purifying process water

Publication Date: 2018.04.17 COOL PLANET ENERGY SYST INC

AI summary

In accordance with one embodiment, a process is described for a water treatment process in which process water is treated with recycled biochar. In accordance with one aspect, process water is passed through activated carbon generated by the biomass pyrolysis and gasification. In accordance with another aspect, the process water is treated to expel gaseous compounds within the process water. In this manner both inorganics, light organics and heavy organics can be removed from the process water. No fermentation is involved.