Biomass Drying and CO2 Capture Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ligneous residual streams are difficult to reuse sustainably due to high energy consumption and CO2 emissions during pretreatment and drying, which is a barrier for producing biopellets with a negative CO2 footprint.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that integrates a thermal boiler, dryer, and CO2 capture module to utilize evaporated water energy for drying biomass, capturing CO2 in combustion gases, and integrating heat for external heating systems, reducing energy consumption and emissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If ligneous residual streams are processed to biopellets through conventional drying methods, then biopellets can be produced for use in boilers, but high energy consumption and CO2 emission occur during pretreatment and drying
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the drying process with CO2 capture in a single integrated system. The thermal medium from the CO2 capture process is used to heat the dryer, merging two previously separate operations (CO2 capture and biomass drying) into one unified process that achieves both biopellet production and CO2 utilization simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the thermal parameters of the system by using the thermal medium from CO2 capture (which has specific temperature and pressure characteristics) to drive the drying process. This parameter transformation allows waste heat from CO2 capture to become a useful heating source for drying wet biomass
2Ease of manufacture
If ligneous residual streams are processed to biopellets through conventional drying methods, then biopellets can be produced for use in boilers, but substantial CO2 emission occurs during pretreatment and drying
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful CO2 emission from biomass combustion into a beneficial resource by capturing it and using the associated thermal energy for drying. The CO2 capture process generates thermal medium that is then utilized to heat the dryer, transforming what was previously a harmful emission into a useful heating source that reduces overall energy consumption and CO2 footprint
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal medium serves multiple functions: it is used both for CO2 capture and for heating the dryer. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve both carbon capture and biomass drying simultaneously, reducing the need for separate energy inputs and minimizing overall CO2 emissions
3Loss of energy
If wet biomass is used for drying to improve heat integration, then energy efficiency increases, but the biomass requires extensive pretreatment and washing that increases water content and energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary washing and comminution of the biomass before drying to prepare it for effective processing. By conducting these pretreatment steps in advance, the system ensures that the biomass is properly prepared for drying, allowing the subsequent drying process to be more efficient and the integrated heat system to work optimally
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
Achieves a substantially negative CO2 footprint by minimizing emissions and improving heat integration, producing high-grade biopellets with reduced energy use.
Implementation Method 1
a thermal boiler (1), which is arranged for heating a thermal medium (3) by combustion of a first biomass (2) supplied
Implementation Method 2
heating a thermal medium (3) by combustion of a first biomass (2) supplied
Implementation Method 3
drying a second biomass (5) in a dryer (4) by evaporation of water from the second biomass (5)
Implementation Method 4
the CO2 in the combustion gases is absorbed into an absorption liquid in the absorption unit
Implementation Method 5
the CO2 rich absorption liquid from the absorption unit is heated in the stripper unit with waste heat in the stream of evaporated water from the dryer
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
Method and system for drying biomass, said method comprising the steps: supplying a first biomass as fuel to a thermal boiler, which is arranged for heating a thermal medium by combustion of the first biomass supplied; drying a second biomass in a dryer by evaporation of water from the second biomass, wherein the dryer is heated by the heated thermal medium from the thermal boiler, and wherein the cooled thermal medium is returned to the thermal boiler; supplying combustion gases, coming from the thermal boiler, to a CO2 capture module, configured to capture the CO2 in the combustion gases and form a stream of CO2 by means of energy released from the dryer in the stream of evaporated water obtained from the second biomass.