Biomass Dewatering System Gas Backflow Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dewatering systems for lignocellulosic biomass slurries face challenges in preventing backflow of pressurized gases, such as steam, into upstream processes, leading to inefficiencies and potential vaporization of liquids, especially in biorefineries where gas pressures are elevated.
Innovation Solution
A dewatering system with a solids transfer device and a vessel configuration that maintains a gas headspace at a first pressure, which is either equal to or greater than the second pressure in the vessel, using accumulated dewatered lignocellulosic biomass as a physical baffle to inhibit backflow and mixing, while allowing continuous throughput even with challenging biomass types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a dewatering system operates with a vessel having a pressurized gaseous headspace, then continuous processing of dewatered biomass can be achieved, but gas backflow into upstream processes occurs causing inefficiency and potential vaporization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-pressurizing the dewatering system to a pressure equal to or greater than the vessel's headspace pressure before introducing dewatered biomass. This proactive pressurization prevents gas backflow from occurring in the first place, eliminating the need for corrective measures and maintaining continuous operation without energy losses from backflow or vaporization.
2Reliability
If the dewatering system is pressurized to prevent gas backflow, then process efficiency is maintained, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by designing the dewatering system to automatically maintain required pressure levels through the inherent pressure differential between the dewatering system and the vessel. The system uses its own operational parameters (continuous biomass introduction and dewatering process) to sustain the pressure needed to prevent backflow, eliminating the need for external active pressure control mechanisms and reducing overall system complexity.
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
Effectively prevents undue backflow and mixing of gases, maintaining process efficiency by segregating gas headspaces and reducing the need for costly gas replenishment and heat recovery, enabling continuous operation with variable density and size lignocellulosic biomass.
Implementation Method 1
the first pressure has a value that inhibits the gas in the vessel from flowing back through the solids transfer device
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a dewatering systems, and related methods, that are adapted to convey lignocellulosic biomass to separate at least a portion of the water from a lignocellulosic biomass slurry and accumulate the dewatered lignocellulosic biomass. The dewatering system also includes a headspace occupied by a gas that is at a pressure that facilitates transferring the accumulated biomas into a pretreatment reactor having a pressurized headspace. Such a dewatering system can prevent undue mixing and backflow of gas (e.g., steam) from the pretreatment reactor.