Pretreated Biomass Composition for Clog-Resistant Membrane Filtration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing biomass pretreatment methods for membrane filtration face challenges such as high energy consumption, membrane clogging, and increased costs due to inefficient solid-liquid separation, particularly in herbaceous biomass, which has a wide particle size distribution and low density, leading to frequent process troubles and high operating costs.

Innovation Solution

A physically pretreated biomass composition with a specific particle size distribution (D10: 1 μm to 10 μm, D50: 10 μm to 30 μm, D90: 30 μm to 120 μm) achieved through attrition milling, which reduces fibril structure and enhances membrane filtration efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If physical pretreatment (grinding) is performed on herbaceous biomass, then particle size is reduced, but membrane clogging occurs due to needle-shaped particles and fibrils

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparticle sizeVSAvoidmembrane clogging

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by controlling the particle size distribution to specific ranges (D10: 1-10 μm, D50: 10-30 μm, D90: 30-120 μm) and adjusting the density to 0.35-0.65 g/mL through optimized physical pretreatment parameters, transforming the biomass properties to be suitable for membrane filtration while avoiding clogging

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary physical pretreatment including grinding and density adjustment before membrane filtration to prepare the biomass in an optimal state, preventing clogging issues during the actual filtration process by addressing particle characteristics in advance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If centrifugation is used for solid-liquid separation, then separation is achieved, but high investment and operating costs are incurred

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparation efficiencyVSAvoidinvestment and operating costs

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical centrifugation system with a membrane filtration system, substituting high-energy mechanical separation with a lower-energy filtration process that achieves comparable or superior separation efficiency at reduced cost

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the biomass physical parameters (particle size distribution and density) to be compatible with membrane filtration, enabling the transition from centrifugation to the more economical membrane filtration process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Use of energy by stationary object

If sedimentation is used for solid-liquid separation, then low operating cost is achieved, but efficiency washing is impossible and dehydration rate is low

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperating costVSAvoiddehydration rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by stationary objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the sedimentation process with membrane filtration, substituting a passive gravitational separation method with an active filtration system that provides both cost-effectiveness and high dehydration performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Productivity

If electron beam irradiation is used for biomass decomposition, then decomposition is achieved, but high energy consumption occurs that exceeds energy generated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebiomass decompositionVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces electron beam irradiation with physical pretreatment methods (grinding and density adjustment), substituting a high-energy electromagnetic process with mechanical preprocessing that achieves biomass preparation at lower energy cost

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary physical pretreatment to prepare biomass for subsequent processing, avoiding the need for high-energy electron beam irradiation by addressing structural requirements through mechanical means first

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 method prevents membrane clogging and improves passage speed during solid-liquid separation, reducing energy consumption and operational costs while maintaining high separation efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

physical pretreatment (attrition milling) of herbaceous biomass

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAttrition milling: Abrasion

Implementation Method 2

solid-liquid separation by membrane filtration

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMembrane filtration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS12553094B2Physically pretreated biomass composition capable of membrane filtration

Publication Date: 2026.02.17 CJ CHEILJEDANG CORP

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a physically pretreated biomass composition capable of membrane filtration treatment in a biomass solid-liquid separation process, and a method for preparing sugar therefrom.The physically pretreated biomass composition is very useful for the biomass treatment process because MF clogging phenomena do not occur through specific physical pretreatment (attrition milling) of herbaceous biomass and because MF passage speed is improved such that MF can be used in the biomass solid-liquid separation process.