Biomass Compression for Enzymatic Decomposition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for processing biomass like straw to produce biofuels and biogas are energy-intensive and require large installations due to the need for extensive water and heat, making them inefficient and costly, especially in biogas plants where straw is not effectively utilized.
Innovation Solution
A method involving repeated compressions of biomass in a reciprocating piston press to induce mechanical steam explosions, which decomposes lignocellulose components, allowing for enzymatic processing without the need for large water addition or heating, resulting in a compact and energy-efficient process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional thermochemical pre-treatment methods are used to process lignocellulose, then cellulose and hemicellulose become accessible for enzymatic decomposition, but the process requires large amounts of water and heat, increasing energy consumption and installation size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional thermochemical pre-treatment methods with a mechanical compression system. A piston press applies high compression forces to lignocellulose biomass, mechanically disrupting the lignin matrix and making cellulose and hemicellulose accessible without requiring large amounts of water and heat, thus reducing energy consumption while maintaining productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the processing parameters from thermal-chemical conditions to mechanical compression conditions. By applying high compression forces through a piston press, the system achieves effective pre-treatment at lower temperatures and with minimal water addition, thereby reducing the energy input required while maintaining the accessibility of cellulose and hemicellulose
2Productivity
If conventional thermochemical pre-treatment methods are used to process lignocellulose, then cellulose and hemicellulose become accessible for enzymatic decomposition, but the process requires large installations, increasing capital cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional thermochemical pre-treatment methods with a mechanical compression system. A piston press applies high compression forces to lignocellulose biomass, mechanically disrupting the lignin matrix and making cellulose and hemicellulose accessible without requiring large amounts of water and heat, thus reducing energy consumption while maintaining productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the processing parameters from thermal-chemical conditions to mechanical compression conditions. By applying high compression forces through a piston press, the system achieves effective pre-treatment at lower temperatures and with minimal water addition, thereby reducing the energy input required while maintaining the accessibility of cellulose and hemicellulose
3Use of energy by moving object
If mechanical compression is applied to induce steam explosions, then energy consumption is reduced, but the compression force and pressure must be precisely controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional thermochemical pre-treatment methods with a mechanical compression system. A piston press applies high compression forces to lignocellulose biomass, mechanically disrupting the lignin matrix and making cellulose and hemicellulose accessible without requiring large amounts of water and heat, thus reducing energy consumption while maintaining productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the processing parameters from thermal-chemical conditions to mechanical compression conditions. By applying high compression forces through a piston press, the system achieves effective pre-treatment at lower temperatures and with minimal water addition, thereby reducing the energy input required while maintaining the accessibility of cellulose and hemicellulose
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 efficiently makes cellulose and hemicellulose accessible for enzymatic decomposition, reducing energy consumption and installation size, enabling higher biofuel production with less energy input and increased biogas yield in existing biogas plants.
Implementation Method 1
repeated compressions of the biomass in a reciprocating piston press to induce mechanical steam explosions, which decomposes lignocellulose components
Implementation Method 2
repeated compressions of the biomass in a reciprocating piston press... resulting in a compact and energy-efficient process
Data Source
AI summary
There is disclosed a method for processing a biomass (for example straw) containing lignocellulose such that cellulose and hemicellulose are made accessible for further processing, typically by decomposition, without needing energy-consuming dissolution of the biomass in water.The method includes repeated compressions of the biomass in a reciprocating piston press, where loose biomass is continuously fed into a piston chamber in front of a piston which moves the loose biomass into a tubular reaction chamber in which the biomass is compressed for producing a vapour explosion and autohydrolysis under simultaneous displacement of compressed biomass through the reaction chamber.After compression, the biomass can be added fluid livestock manure, fluid waste water sludge etc. in a biogas plant for a subsequent biogas process.