Biomass Deconstruction Using Water Solvent and Segmented Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for converting lignocellulosic biomass into components suitable for producing fuels and chemicals are not cost-effective, as they require distinct processing conditions for cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, and lack efficient separation techniques.
Innovation Solution
A method involving catalytic reactions with a biomass processing solvent, produced by reacting water and a water-soluble oxygenated hydrocarbon with hydrogen in the presence of a deoxygenation catalyst, followed by reaction with biomass components at specific temperatures and pressures to produce a biomass hydrolysate containing soluble derivatives and carbohydrates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If expensive organic solvents are used to fractionate lignocellulosic biomass, then separation of lignin from cellulose and hemicellulose is achieved, but processing cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive organic solvents with water, a cheap and readily available solvent. The process uses multiple water washes to extract lignin from the biomass, eliminating the need for costly organic solvents while achieving effective separation of lignin from cellulose and hemicellulose.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the solvent parameter from organic solvents (acetone, ethanol, 4-methyl-2-pentanone) to water. This parameter change fundamentally alters the extraction mechanism but achieves comparable separation efficiency while dramatically reducing processing costs.
2Manufacturing precision
If distinct processing conditions are applied to cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, then effective breakdown of each component is achieved, but process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the biomass processing into distinct stages: first extracting lignin using water, then separately processing cellulose and hemicellulose. This segmentation allows each component to be treated with optimized conditions while maintaining overall process manageability and reducing complexity compared to simultaneous processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary lignin extraction using water before processing cellulose and hemicellulose. This preliminary action simplifies subsequent processing steps by removing the complex lignin matrix first, allowing easier access and more efficient processing of the carbohydrate components.
3Productivity
If acid catalytic hydrolysis is used to depolymerize delignified lignocellulose, then sugar production is achieved, but contamination with acid and other components occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism through multiple water washes of the hydrolysate to remove acid and other contaminants. The wash water is monitored and replaced until the hydrolysate reaches the desired purity level, ensuring high sugar quality while maintaining efficient production.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses water as an intermediary substance to wash and purify the hydrolysate after acid catalytic hydrolysis. This intermediary washing process removes acid contaminants and other impurities without affecting the sugar products, achieving both high productivity and high purity.
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 efficiently deconstructs biomass into usable components for bioreforming processes, reducing costs by avoiding expensive solvents and enabling recycling of processing solvents, thereby enhancing the conversion of biomass into fuels and chemicals.
Implementation Method 1
catalytically reacting water and a water-soluble oxygenated hydrocarbon with H2 in the presence of a deoxygenation catalyst
Implementation Method 2
reacting water and a water-soluble oxygenated hydrocarbon with H2 in the presence of a deoxygenation catalyst
Implementation Method 3
reacting the biomass processing solvent with a biomass component at a deconstruction temperature and a deconstruction pressure to produce a biomass hydrolysate
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides processes for deconstructing and purifying biomass using water. The method includes the steps of loading a reactor with biomass and water, establishing and maintaining a deconstruction temperature and pressure for a deconstruction period, flushing the reactor with water, and repeating these steps to produce a solid phase and a biomass hydrolysate.