Continuous Biomass Hydrolysis with Intermediate Extraction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for producing monosaccharides, oligosaccharides, and furfurals from biomass are inefficient in controlling the production ratio of these components and lack effective methods for high-yield recovery, particularly in continuous hydrolysis processes where furfural concentration in the gaseous phase is low, and there is a need for economically viable separation and recovery techniques.
Innovation Solution
A method involving continuous primary hydrolysis with intermediate extraction ports equipped with solid-liquid separation devices to extract and separate monosaccharides, oligosaccharides, and furfurals, followed by secondary hydrolysis under controlled conditions to enhance the content ratio of these components, and utilizing flash distillation to produce high-concentration furfural solutions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If continuous primary hydrolysis is performed to produce monosaccharides, oligosaccharides, and furfurals, then productivity is improved, but manufacturing precision of the production ratio of these components deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The hydrolysis process is divided into multiple stages with different extraction ports at various heights in the hydrolyzer. Each port extracts hydrolysis liquid at different hydrolysis stages, allowing separate control and optimization of monosaccharide, oligosaccharide, and furfural production ratios while maintaining continuous operation for high productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary extraction of hydrolysis liquid at intermediate stages before complete hydrolysis occurs. By extracting at controlled intervals and positions, the process prepares and separates components at optimal points in the hydrolysis sequence, enabling precise control over final product composition while maintaining continuous flow
2Manufacturing precision
If secondary hydrolysis is performed to enhance content ratio of monosaccharides and oligosaccharides, then manufacturing precision is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The secondary hydrolysis is integrated into the continuous flow system, where hydrolysis liquid moves continuously through the hydrolyzer with multiple extraction ports. This eliminates batch processing interruptions and maintains continuous productive action while achieving the desired content ratio enhancement through controlled intermediate extractions
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary extraction of partially hydrolyzed liquid at intermediate stages, capturing monosaccharides and oligosaccharides before complete hydrolysis. This preliminary action at optimized time points achieves high content ratios without requiring extended total processing time, as extraction occurs at the optimal moment during continuous flow
3Quantity of substance
If flash distillation is used to produce high-concentration furfural solutions, then concentration is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes flash distillation which leverages rapid phase transition from liquid to vapor to concentrate furfural. By controlling the phase change conditions and using the hydrolysis liquid's existing temperature and pressure state, the process achieves high furfural concentration while minimizing additional energy input required for the phase transition
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 approach allows for efficient production and recovery of monosaccharides, oligosaccharides, and furfurals at desired ratios, improving yield and enabling high-concentration furfural production, thus enhancing the economic viability of biomass-based chemical production.
Implementation Method 1
performing continuous primary hydrolysis on a biomass and performing secondary hydrolysis on the primary hydrolysis solution
Implementation Method 2
extracting the hydrolysis liquid separated from the hydrolysis suspension in the device from an intermediate extraction port equipped with a solid-liquid separation device
Implementation Method 3
utilizing flash distillation to produce high-concentration furfural solutions
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a method for efficiently producing monosaccharides, oligosaccharides, and furfurals from biomass. A biomass is hydrolyzed under conditions under which monosaccharides, oligosaccharides, and furfurals are produced while continuously supplying an aqueous suspension of the biomass from a supply port of a continuous primary hydrolysis device and moving the suspension through the device. A hydrolysis solution is continuously discharged from a discharge port of the continuous hydrolysis device, and a hydrolysis solution containing monosaccharides, oligosaccharides, and furfurals are extracted from an intermediate extraction port provided at any position between the supply port and the discharge port of the continuous primary hydrolysis device. The extracted hydrolysis solution is then subjected to secondary hydrolysis.