Pressurized Biomass Transfer and Catalyst Recycling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Biomass processing systems have low throughput due to limited ability to handle high solid concentrations and inefficient catalyst removal, leading to high processing costs and energy requirements.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses a pressurization vessel to maintain a pressure differential for transferring high concentrations of solid biomass and recycles a deconstruction catalyst, allowing for efficient conversion of biomass to feedstock in biofuel and biochemical manufacturing processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If biomass is transferred as a partial liquid and partial solid slurry through conduits using pumps, then the system can move biomass through the processing system, but the throughput is limited because pumps are only operable when the pumped material is mostly liquid
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the biomass slurry by maintaining it in a pressurized superheated state throughout the processing system. This allows the slurry to be transported at high solid concentrations without requiring traditional liquid-phase pumps, thereby increasing throughput while maintaining adaptability to handle high solid concentrations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a pressurized fluid delivery system to transport biomass slurry through the processing vessels. By using pressurized gas or fluid to move the slurry instead of mechanical pumps, the system can handle high solid concentrations effectively, resolving the contradiction between throughput and solid concentration handling capability.
2Speed
If a catalyst is used to increase the speed of biomass conversion, then the conversion rate improves, but the batch-wise removal of the catalyst from the converted biomass product slows down the overall processing speed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the catalyst separation function with the product transfer operation by using a decanter that continuously separates the catalyst from the product stream. This eliminates the need for batch-wise catalyst removal and allows continuous processing, thereby maintaining high conversion rates while improving overall processing speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous catalyst separation using a decanter instead of batch-wise removal. The catalyst is continuously separated from the converted biomass product and recycled back to the reactor, maintaining continuous operation and eliminating downtime associated with batch catalyst removal, thus improving overall processing speed.
3Ease of operation
If water is added to produce a slurry for biomass transfer, then the biomass can be pumped through conduits, but the water requirement increases processing costs due to the increased energy necessary to heat the water
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical pumping with pressurized fluid delivery to move the biomass slurry. This eliminates the need to add excess water for pumpability, as the pressurized system can handle high solid concentration slurries directly, thereby reducing the energy required to heat water and lowering processing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters by maintaining the slurry in a pressurized superheated state, which allows direct transport of high solid concentration biomass without adding excess water. This reduces the energy required for heating water while maintaining ease of operation through the pressurized delivery system.
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 system increases biomass processing throughput and reduces costs by enabling the transfer of higher solid concentrations and efficient catalyst recycling, improving the efficiency of biomass conversion to feedstock.
Implementation Method 1
the pressurization vessel is configured to selectively receive pressurized fluids, such as water or a solvent, and/or hydrogen gas... the pressurized fluid to create a pressure differential between the pressurization vessel and the deconstruction vessel
Implementation Method 2
The deconstruction vessel is configured to convert the pressurized biomass into the feedstock and gaseous products... a catalyst inlet such that the pressurization vessel is configured to selectively receive a catalyst
Implementation Method 3
The gravitational settling vessel is configured to permit the feedstock and the catalyst to separate from each other
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention includes improved systems and methods for producing biomass-derived feedstocks for biofuel and biochemical manufacturing processes. The systems and methods use components that are capable of transferring relatively high concentrations of solid biomass utilizing pressure variations between vessels, and allows for the recovery and recycling of heterogeneous catalyst materials.