Biomass Lipid Extraction Using Low-Boiling Solvents
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current biomass treatment processes for producing lipids and bio-oils face challenges such as high temperatures and pressures, leading to equipment costs, instability of triglycerides, and complex multi-phase systems, which result in corrosive bio-oils and reduced component separation efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A process involving extraction of biomass at room temperature with a low-boiling point solvent, followed by solvent evaporation and liquefaction at moderate temperatures, and subsequent separation to obtain lipids, sugars, and proteins, allowing for the production of biodiesel, green diesel, and other biofuels while minimizing equipment and energy costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If heat treatments (gasification, pyrolysis, liquefaction) are used to convert biomass to bio-oil, then the lipid component is converted into bio-oil for advanced biofuels, but the investment cost is much higher compared to other treatment technologies
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the biomass treatment process into two distinct stages: (1) extraction of lipids at room temperature using low-boiling point solvents to obtain triglycerides, and (2) moderate temperature liquefaction (100-200°C) of the remaining slurry to produce bio-oil. This segmentation allows each stage to operate under optimized, less extreme conditions, reducing overall equipment requirements and investment costs while maintaining advanced biofuel production capability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces low-boiling point solvents (such as acetone, butane, or pentane) as intermediaries to facilitate lipid extraction at room temperature. These solvents act as a mediator between the biomass and the extraction process, enabling efficient lipid recovery without requiring high temperatures or pressures, thereby reducing equipment investment compared to direct thermal conversion methods
2Productivity
If high temperature heat treatments are used for biomass conversion, then bio-oil is produced, but the equipment cost and energy consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention performs preliminary lipid extraction at room temperature before the liquefaction step. By removing triglycerides in advance using low-boiling point solvents, the subsequent liquefaction process operates on a slurry with reduced lipid content, requiring lower temperatures (100-200°C versus 300-500°C in conventional methods) and thus significantly reducing energy consumption while maintaining bio-oil production capability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the temperature parameter from conventional high temperatures (300-500°C) to moderate temperatures (100-200°C) for the liquefaction step. This parameter change is enabled by the preliminary extraction step, which modifies the composition of the feed material. The lower temperature regime directly reduces energy consumption while still achieving effective bio-oil production from the remaining biomass components
3Quantity of substance
If conventional extraction methods are used, then lipids are obtained, but the process requires high temperatures and pressures leading to equipment complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the temperature parameter from high temperatures to room temperature for the extraction step, and uses low-boiling point solvents instead of conventional high-temperature methods. This parameter change eliminates the need for high-pressure equipment, heat exchangers, and complex safety systems, significantly simplifying device complexity while maintaining effective lipid extraction
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses low-boiling point solvents as intermediaries to enable extraction at room temperature. These solvents penetrate the biomass matrix and dissolve lipids without requiring thermal energy input, eliminating the need for heating equipment, pressure vessels, and associated safety systems, thereby drastically reducing equipment complexity
4Productivity
If high temperature processing is used, then biomass is converted to bio-oil, but triglycerides become unstable and corrosion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention performs preliminary extraction of triglycerides at room temperature using low-boiling point solvents before the moderate temperature liquefaction step. By removing triglycerides in advance and handling them separately, they are not exposed to thermal stress during processing, maintaining their stability and preventing degradation. The subsequent liquefaction operates at moderate temperatures (100-200°C) that do not cause triglyceride instability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts triglycerides separately from the biomass matrix using low-boiling point solvents at room temperature. This extraction isolates the triglycerides from the harshest processing conditions, allowing them to be recovered in a stable form. The remaining slurry undergoes moderate temperature liquefaction that does not expose triglycerides to degrading conditions, thus maintaining triglyceride stability throughout the process
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 produces lipids and organic compounds at lower costs and energy consumption, stabilizes triglycerides, and enhances the separation and utilization of bio-oil components, aligning with biofuel regulations and improving operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
subjecting said biomass to extraction, at room temperature, in the presence of at least one low-boiling point solvent, obtaining a first organic phase comprising lipids and solvent
Implementation Method 2
subjecting said first organic phase to evaporation of the solvent obtaining a second organic phase comprising lipids and a third organic phase comprising solvent, which is recycled to said extraction
Implementation Method 3
subjecting said first slurry phase to liquefaction obtaining a second slurry phase comprising sugars, proteins and unconverted carbohydrates
Data Source
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AI summary
Process for producing lipids and other organic compounds from biomass comprising the following steps: (a) subjecting said biomass to extraction, at room temperature, in the presence of at least one low-boiling point solvent, thereby obtaining a first organic phase comprising lipids and solvent, and a first slurry phase comprising carbohydrates and proteins; (b) subjecting the first organic phase obtained in said step (a) to evaporation of the solvent, obtaining a second organic phase comprising lipids and a third organic phase comprising solvent, which is recycled to said step (a); (c) subjecting the first slurry phase obtained in said step (a) to liquefaction operating at a temperature ranging from 100°C to 200°C, preferably ranging from 110°C to 180°C, at a pressure greater than the water vapor pressure at the temperature at which said liquefaction is carried out, for a time ranging from 30 minutes to 300 minutes, preferably ranging from 50 minutes to 270 minutes, thereby obtaining a second slurry phase comprising sugars, proteins and unconverted carbohydrates; (d) subjecting the second slurry phase obtained in said step (c) to separation, obtaining an aqueous phase comprising sugars and a wet solid phase comprising proteins and unconverted carbohydrates. The lipids thus obtained may be advantageously used in the production of biodiesel or green diesel that may be used, in turn, as such, or in mixtures with other fuels, for automotive transport. The aqueous phase comprising sugars and the wet solid phase comprising proteins and unconverted carbohydrates thus obtained may in turn be exploited.