Biomass Hydrolysis Catalyst Mixing and Pulverization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for hydrolyzing plant biomass using solid catalysts face limitations in achieving high sugar yields and concentrations due to inefficient catalyst-substrate contact and require expensive apparatus or additional components.
Innovation Solution
A saccharification method involving preliminary mixing and simultaneous pulverization of a solid catalyst and plant biomass substrate, followed by hydrolysis, using carbon materials like alkali-activated carbon, with a mass ratio of 1:100 to 10:1 and a median particle size of 1 to 30 µm, to enhance reaction efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional hydrolysis methods using solid catalysts are used, then the process is simple, but the sugar yield and concentration are low due to poor catalyst-substrate contact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing pre-treatment on the plant biomass substrate before the main hydrolysis reaction. This includes drying the biomass to control moisture content and potentially other preparatory steps that enhance the substrate's accessibility and reactivity, thereby improving sugar yield without complicating the main reaction process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by optimizing the moisture content of the plant biomass substrate to a specific range (5-20% preferred, 0-30% acceptable) before hydrolysis. This parameter optimization improves catalyst-substrate contact and reaction efficiency, achieving higher sugar yields while maintaining process simplicity
2Productivity
If microwave irradiation is used to improve reaction rate, then reactivity increases, but expensive apparatus is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive microwave irradiation apparatus with conventional, inexpensive heating equipment. By optimizing the moisture content of the substrate and using standard thermal heating methods, the patent achieves effective hydrolysis without requiring costly specialized equipment, making the process more economically viable
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes microwave irradiation with conventional heating by changing the thermal processing parameters. By controlling the moisture content of the substrate within specific ranges and adjusting heating temperature and time parameters, the patent achieves comparable or superior reaction rates using inexpensive conventional heating apparatus
3Productivity
If pseudo-molten state hydrolysis is used, then reactivity improves, but water content control and separation become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the moisture content parameter of the plant biomass substrate to a specific range (5-20% preferred) before hydrolysis. This parameter control ensures sufficient reactivity while avoiding the problems of excessive water content, and facilitates easier separation of products and catalyst after reaction
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts or removes excess moisture from the plant biomass substrate before hydrolysis by drying it to the optimal moisture content range. This pre-removal of water prevents operational difficulties during hydrolysis and simplifies subsequent separation steps
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 significantly improves the yield and concentration of monosaccharides like glucose in the reaction solution, achieving higher glucose yields and selectivity without the need for expensive equipment or additional components.
Implementation Method 1
a step of hydrolyzing the raw material obtained by the pulverization step
Implementation Method 2
a pulverization step that comprises preliminarily mixing and simultaneously pulverizing a solid catalyst and a solid substrate
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to: a pre-treatment method for plant biomass hydrolysis reaction raw materials characterized in comprising a process for mixing a solid catalyst and solid substrate beforehand and grinding same simultaneously (grinding process) ; a plant biomass hydrolysis reaction raw material pre-treated by said pre-treatment method; and a plant biomass saccharification method comprising a process for hydrolyzing said hydrolysis reaction raw material. The invention provides an efficient and practical pre-treatment method for plant biomass hydrolysis reaction raw materials that can improve the saccharification yield and saccharide concentration of plant biomass hydrolysis reactions, a plant biomass hydrolysis reaction raw material obtained therefrom, and a plant biomass saccharification method.