Bone Char Absorbent Torrefaction for Higher Arsenic Adsorption

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bone char absorbents manufactured through high-temperature pyrolysis methods are energy-inefficient, environmentally unfriendly, and have poor arsenic adsorption capacity due to high carbon dioxide emissions and decomposition of organic components, leading to reduced carbonate content in the mineral phase.

Innovation Solution

A low-temperature torrefaction or co-torrefaction process is used to produce bone char absorbents with carbonated hydroxyapatite, allowing for the formation of vacancies in the mineral phase that can bond with arsenic ions, thereby enhancing adsorption capacity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If high-temperature pyrolysis method is used to manufacture bone char absorbent, then the bone char can be produced, but energy consumption increases and carbon dioxide release increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebone char productionVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the temperature parameter from high-temperature pyrolysis (400-1000°C) to low-temperature torrefaction (175-300°C), fundamentally altering the thermal processing conditions to reduce energy consumption while maintaining bone char production

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful effect of high temperature into a benefit by using controlled low-temperature torrefaction that preserves carbonate content in the mineral phase, transforming the traditional harmful high-temperature process into an environmentally friendly low-temperature process that reduces CO2 emission

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Quantity of substance

If high-temperature pyrolysis method is used to manufacture bone char absorbent, then the bone char can be produced, but carbon dioxide release increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebone char productionVSAvoidcarbon dioxide release

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the temperature parameter from high-temperature pyrolysis (400-1000°C) to low-temperature torrefaction (175-300°C), fundamentally altering the thermal processing conditions to reduce energy consumption while maintaining bone char production

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful effect of high temperature into a benefit by using controlled low-temperature torrefaction that preserves carbonate content in the mineral phase, transforming the traditional harmful high-temperature process into an environmentally friendly low-temperature process that reduces CO2 emission

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Quantity of substance

If high-temperature pyrolysis method is used to manufacture bone char absorbent, then the bone char can be produced, but adsorption capacity for arsenic decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebone char productionVSAvoidadsorption capacity for arsenic

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the temperature parameter from high-temperature pyrolysis (400-1000°C) to low-temperature torrefaction (175-300°C), fundamentally altering the thermal processing conditions to reduce energy consumption while maintaining bone char production

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful effect of high temperature into a benefit by using controlled low-temperature torrefaction that preserves carbonate content in the mineral phase, transforming the traditional harmful high-temperature process into an environmentally friendly low-temperature process that reduces CO2 emission

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 is energy-efficient, environmentally friendly, and cost-effective, achieving an arsenic adsorption capacity of at least 2.5 mg/g in acidic solutions, significantly improving upon traditional high-temperature methods.

Implementation Method 1

a torrefaction step is performed on the dried bone material to form a torrefied bone material, in which the torrefaction step is performed at a heating rate of 10° C./min to 20° C./min to a torrefied temperature of 175° C. to 300° C. for 15 minutes to 60 minutes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

Arsenic ions can then occupy these vacancies and form ionic bonds with phosphate, thereby achieving the effect of arsenic sorption

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 3

Arsenic ions can then occupy these vacancies and form ionic bonds with phosphate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIonic bonding: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentUS20260014542A1Bone char absorbent for adsorbing arsenic and method of manufacturing the same

Publication Date: 2026.01.15 NAT CHENG KUNG UNIV

AI summary

A method of manufacturing a bone char absorbent includes the following steps. A drying step is performed on an initial bone material to form dried bone material. A torrefaction step or a co-torrefaction step is performed on the dried bone material to form torrefied bone material or a co-torrefied mixture, in which the torrefaction step and the co-torrefaction are performed at a heating rate of 10° C./min to 20° C./min to a torrefied temperature or a co-torrefied temperature of 175° C. to 300° C. for 15 minutes to 60 minutes. A cooling step is performed on the torrefied bone powders or the co-torrefied mixture to form the bone char absorbent. The mineral phase of the bone char absorbent includes carbonated hydroxyapatite, thereby enhancing the adsorption capacity for trivalent arsenic ions.