Biomass Drying with Silicic Acid Additive

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Solution Overview

Problem

The processing of biomass containing oxidation-sensitive valuable substances, such as polyunsaturated fatty acids, often results in a product that is difficult to handle, hygroscopic, and prone to oxidative degradation, with existing methods failing to preserve the integrity of cell membranes and the valuable substances during processing.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating hydrophilic or hydrophobic silicic acid as an additive in the production of particulate biomass from fermentation broth, with concentrations between 0.1% to 8% by weight, to create a free-flowing, non-hygroscopic product that protects the valuable substances from oxidative degradation and maintains cell membrane integrity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If biomass is processed using conventional methods, then the biomass can be converted into a handleable form, but the product becomes difficult to handle, hygroscopic, and prone to oxidative degradation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandleability of biomass productVSAvoidstability of valuable substances against oxidative degradation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Silicic acid is introduced as an intermediary substance that absorbs released valuable materials and protects them from oxidative degradation. The silicic acid acts as a mediator between the biomass processing and the oxidation-sensitive valuable substances, preventing direct contact and degradation while maintaining product handleability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite product consisting of biomass particles combined with silicic acid. This composite structure provides both the handleability of processed biomass and the protective properties of silicic acid, resulting in a free-flowing, non-hygroscopic product that protects valuable substances from oxidation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of operation

If biomass is processed to improve flow properties, then the product becomes free-flowing, but cell membranes are damaged and valuable substances are released and degraded

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflow properties of biomass productVSAvoidoxidative degradation of released valuable substances

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Silicic acid serves as a protective intermediary that immediately absorbs any valuable substances released during processing due to cell membrane damage. This prevents the released substances from undergoing oxidative degradation, even though the processing necessary to achieve free-flowing properties has already occurred.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the harmful effect of cell membrane damage and substance release into a benefit by using silicic acid to capture and protect the released valuable materials. The harm of release is transformed into an opportunity for protected preservation through silicic acid absorption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Reliability

If silicic acid is added to protect valuable substances, then oxidative degradation is prevented, but the product composition becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection of valuable substances from oxidationVSAvoidcomposition complexity of particulate biomass

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention optimizes the concentration parameter of silicic acid in the final product to range from 0.1% to 8% by weight. This parameter change ensures sufficient protection of valuable substances while maintaining product simplicity and avoiding excessive complexity in the composition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

The use of silicic acid in the biomass processing results in a clearly defined, easily handleable, and stable particulate product suitable for animal feed or foodstuffs, with enhanced preservation of oxidation-sensitive substances and improved handling properties.

Implementation Method 1

any valuable material that may be released is absorbed by the silicic acid and thereby protected from oxidative degradation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

the silicic acid is used in an amount such that a concentration of silicic acid of 0.1 to 8% by weight is established in the particulate biomass

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentEP3054782B1Method for drying biomass

Publication Date: 2019.05.22 EVONIK OPERATIONS GMBH

AI summary

According to the invention, it has been found that it is possible to convert a biomass containing a valuable oxidation-sensitive substance into a particulate, free-flowing composition in a particularly advantageous way by using a silicic acid, in particular a hydrophilic or hydrophobic silicic acid, as additive.