Cellulosic Biomass Sugar Liquid pH Adjustment and Microfiltration
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Solution Overview
Problem
The production of sugar liquids from cellulosic biomass often results in low sugar concentrations and causes issues like clogging of pipes and membranes due to the precipitation of alkaline earth metals, leading to attachment of scale and difficulties in membrane separation during fermentation processes.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the addition of alkali to adjust the pH of concentrated cellulosic biomass sugar liquids to precipitate insoluble substances containing magnesium, followed by filtration through a microfiltration membrane to remove these substances, thereby preventing scale attachment and improving fermentation yield.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If concentrated cellulosic biomass sugar liquid is used as fermentation feedstock, then fermentation yield is improved, but scale attachment and membrane clogging occur due to precipitation of alkaline earth metals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by adjusting the pH of the concentrated sugar liquid to 8 or higher before fermentation to precipitate magnesium and other alkaline earth metals. This preventive measure removes the harmful substances that would later cause scale attachment and membrane clogging during fermentation and separation processes, thereby maintaining both high fermentation yield and reliable membrane operation throughout continuous operation.
2Reliability
If pH is adjusted to not less than 7 to precipitate insoluble substances, then scale attachment is prevented, but additional processing steps are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by adjusting the pH parameter of the sugar liquid to 8 or higher, which triggers the precipitation of magnesium and other alkaline earth metals as insoluble substances. This simple parameter adjustment effectively prevents scale attachment in fermentation apparatus and on membranes, achieving reliable operation without requiring complex additional processing equipment or steps.
3Productivity
If microfiltration is used to remove insoluble substances, then membrane separation efficiency is improved, but pore clogging may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by adjusting the pH to 8 or higher and removing insoluble substances containing magnesium through microfiltration before fermentation. This preliminary removal of precipitated substances prevents pore clogging during subsequent membrane separation operations, thereby maintaining both high membrane separation efficiency and reliable pore function throughout continuous fermentation processes.
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 method effectively prevents scale attachment and clogging, enhancing the filtration process and improving the yield of fermentation products by removing insoluble magnesium-containing substances, allowing for continuous and efficient membrane separation.
Implementation Method 1
adding an alkali(s) to a concentrated cellulosic biomass sugar liquid to adjust the pH to not less than 7
Implementation Method 2
adjust the pH to not less than 7 to precipitate an insoluble substance(s) containing at least magnesium
Implementation Method 3
performing filtration through a microfiltration membrane to remove the insoluble substance(s)
Data Source
AI summary
A method produces a sugar liquid from a cellulosic biomass material, which sugar liquid has improved fermentability. The method produces a sugar liquid by: adding an alkali(s) to a concentrated cellulosic biomass sugar liquid to adjust the pH to not less than 7 to precipitate an insoluble substance(s) containing at least magnesium; and performing filtration through a microfiltration membrane to remove the insoluble substance(s), to obtain a sugar liquid as a permeate.