Continuous Lignocellulosic Biomass Treatment via Conductivity-Controlled Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for processing ligno-cellulosic biomass in biofuel and biochemical production are inefficient due to high water consumption, energy usage, and the need for extensive equipment and handling processes, which increase costs and risk of failure, while also failing to effectively remove non-ligno-cellulosic water soluble compounds and external contaminants.
Innovation Solution
A continuous process using a compact equipment system that integrates the treatment of ligno-cellulosic biomass with a controlled extraction solution to remove water soluble compounds and separate contaminants, minimizing water usage and energy consumption by regulating electrical conductivity and flow rates, and utilizing a compression screw for separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If sequential processing steps with multiple equipments are used to remove contaminants and wash biomass, then removal effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and capital costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sequential processing functions (contaminant removal, washing, water content adjustment) into a single integrated apparatus. The apparatus includes a receptacle for biomass, fluid addition means for adding water and additives, agitation means for mixing, and a vortex generator that combines separation and discharge functions. This integration eliminates the need for multiple separate equipments and conveyor belts, reducing device complexity while maintaining processing effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The single apparatus performs multiple functions simultaneously: it removes external contaminants through air floatation, washes the biomass to remove water-soluble compounds, adjusts water content, and separates treated biomass from treatment water. The vortex generator serves multiple purposes by creating a vortex that both separates contaminants and facilitates discharge. This multi-functionality reduces the overall number of devices needed in the system.
2Manufacturing precision
If extensive washing and soaking processes are used to remove water soluble compounds, then purification is improved, but water consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a feedback mechanism where treatment water that has been separated from biomass is recycled back into the system for continued use in washing and soaking processes. The apparatus includes means to separate treatment water from biomass and a circulation system that returns the water to the receptacle. This feedback loop reduces the need for continuous fresh water input while maintaining purification effectiveness, as the same water is reused multiple times to extract water-soluble compounds from the biomass.
Solution Approach 2:
The system recovers and reuses treatment water that would otherwise be discarded. The vortex generator separates treatment water from biomass, and the separated water is collected and recycled back into the processing system. This recovery approach minimizes water consumption by extracting value from water that has already been used, allowing the same water volume to perform multiple washing cycles.
3Manufacturing precision
If mechanical agitation means are used for extended periods to wash biomass, then washing effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The agitation means in the apparatus operates periodically rather than continuously. The system alternates between agitation phases (where mechanical energy is applied to wash biomass) and resting phases (where agitation is reduced or stopped). This periodic action maintains washing effectiveness by providing sufficient mechanical energy input during active phases while reducing overall energy consumption during the complete processing cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent partially replaces mechanical agitation with a vortex generation system. Instead of relying solely on continuous mechanical agitation, the apparatus uses a vortex generator to create rotational flow patterns in the treatment water and biomass mixture. This vortex action provides washing and separation functions with reduced mechanical energy input compared to traditional extended mechanical agitation, substituting a more energy-efficient fluid dynamic mechanism.
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 effectively reduces water consumption, energy usage, and equipment needs, achieving efficient removal of non-ligno-cellulosic compounds and contaminants while maintaining a low moisture content in the biomass, thus optimizing the treatment of ligno-cellulosic biomass for biofuel and biochemical production.
Implementation Method 1
removal of at least a portion of the non-ligno-cellulosic water soluble compounds from the ligno-cellulosic biomass
Implementation Method 2
releasing in the extraction solution additional water soluble species derived from the non-ligno-cellulosic water soluble compounds
Implementation Method 3
separating the soaked ligno-cellulosic biomass stream into at least a clean ligno-cellulosic biomass stream and a soaking liquid
Implementation Method 4
separating the soaked ligno-cellulosic biomass stream into at least a clean ligno-cellulosic biomass stream and a soaking liquid
Data Source
AI summary
It is disclosed a continuous process for soaking a ligno-cellulosic biomass stream in an extraction solution comprising water and dissolved water soluble species derived from a previously treated ligno-cellulosic biomass, wherein the soaked ligno-cellulosic biomass stream is optionally rinsed with a rinse solution stream to produce a soaking liquid. The electrical conductivity of the extraction solution and/or the soaking liquid are controlled to a value in a suitable target range by regulating one or more dilution streams. The disclosed process is useful to remove non-ligno-cellulosic water soluble compounds from the ligno-cellulosic biomass with a low consumption of water.