Aquatic Biomass Gasification With Closed-Loop Nutrient Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing biomass conversion processes for wet feedstocks, such as aquatic biomass, are inefficient and economically unfeasible due to high nutrient costs and the inability to recycle nutrients back into the growth medium, which affects the economics of biofuel production.
Innovation Solution
A closed-loop system is implemented where wet biomass is gasified to produce combustible gases, with non-combustible gases being recycled back into the growth chamber to stimulate new biomass growth, and nutrients are recovered and reintroduced into the growth medium to minimize external nutrient input.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If wet biomass is used as feedstock for gasification, then the process can handle aquatic biomass with high water content, but the nutrient costs increase and economic feasibility decreases due to inability to recycle nutrients
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback loop where non-combustible gases (CO2) and condensed liquids containing nutrients are returned to the growth chamber to support new biomass growth. This closed-loop system recycles essential nutrients back into the production process, eliminating the need for continuous external nutrient addition and improving economic feasibility while maintaining the ability to process wet feedstock
Solution Approach 2:
The patent recovers previously discarded non-combustible gases and nutrient-containing liquids from the gasification process. Instead of venting CO2 and disposing of condensate, the system captures these byproducts and returns them to the growth chamber, transforming waste streams into valuable resources that support biomass regeneration and reduce operational costs
2Productivity
If nutrients are not recycled back into the growth medium, then the gasification process is simpler, but biomass growth is limited due to nutrient depletion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the gasification system multi-functional by adding a nutrient recycling capability. The same system that produces combustible gases also recovers and recycles nutrients back to the growth chamber. This allows the system to simultaneously perform gas production and biomass regeneration functions, supporting continuous productivity without proportionally increasing complexity
3Productivity
If external nutrient input is continuously added, then biomass growth can be maintained, but overall production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent recovers nutrients from the gasification byproducts (non-combustible gases and condensed liquids) and returns them to the growth medium. This recovery process eliminates the need for continuous external nutrient addition, maintaining biomass growth while dramatically reducing nutrient consumption and associated costs
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 significantly improves the economic feasibility of biofuel production by recycling nutrients and elements back into the growth medium, enhancing biomass growth and reducing overall costs.
Implementation Method 1
heating the portion of the wet biomass under pressure in the reactor to gasify the wet biomass into a gas component
Implementation Method 2
condensing at least portions of the gas component into a liquid
Implementation Method 3
photosynthetic plants convert solar energy to stored carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins
Data Source
AI summary
Processes, systems, and methods for producing combustible gas from wet biomass are provided. In one aspect, for example, a process for generating a combustible gas from a wet biomass in a closed system is provided. Such a process may include growing a wet biomass in a growth chamber, moving at least a portion of the wet biomass to a reactor, heating the portion of the wet biomass under high pressure in the reactor to gasify the wet biomass into a total gas component, separating the gasified component into a liquid component, a non-combustible gas component, and a combustible gas component, and introducing the liquid component and non-combustible gas component containing carbon dioxide into the growth chamber to stimulate new wet biomass growth.