Continuous Solid-State Ethanol Separation Device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current solid-state fermentation technologies for producing fuel ethanol from sweet sorghum straws face challenges such as low ethanol production rate, difficulty in achieving continuous flow, high energy consumption, and environmental pollution due to inefficient heat transfer, poor sealing, uneven material thickness, and high moisture content in residues.

Innovation Solution

A continuous ethanol separation device and process featuring a housing with distributing plate grids, tower trays, and heating disks, where steam is used to distill ethanol from solid-state fermentation materials, with a gas-liquid separator to reuse heat and reduce water content in residues, allowing for continuous operation and recycling of waste materials.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional intermittent solid-state fermentation is used, then ethanol production is achieved, but production efficiency is low and alcohol is volatile

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveethanol production efficiencyVSAvoidfermentation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements continuous solid-state fermentation by replacing traditional intermittent batch processes with a continuous flow system. Fermentation materials continuously move through the reactor while maintaining steady-state operation, eliminating idle times between batches and ensuring constant ethanol production. This continuous operation significantly improves production efficiency and prevents alcohol volatility by maintaining consistent fermentation conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

2Ease of manufacture

If crushed straw material is used for solid-state fermentation, then raw material pretreatment is simplified, but the material intertwining makes continuous flow difficult to realize

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveraw material pretreatmentVSAvoidcontinuous flow capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic elements to handle the intertwining crushed straw material. A rotating distributor with radial distributing plates continuously rotates to break up material clumps and distribute them uniformly. Additionally, a stirring device with rotating blades continuously agitates the fermentation material, preventing entanglement and ensuring smooth continuous flow through the reactor while maintaining the simplicity of using crushed straw.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Use of energy by moving object

If direct heating method is used for alcohol distillation, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but energy consumption increases and residues have high moisture content

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat transfer efficiencyVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an indirect heating system using a heat exchange medium (thermal oil or molten salt) as an intermediary between the heat source and fermentation material. This intermediary fluid circulates through heating channels in the reactor wall, providing efficient heat transfer to the material without direct contact with the heating element. This approach maintains high heat transfer efficiency while reducing energy consumption and producing drier residues suitable for fuel use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Productivity

If continuous alcohol steaming is implemented, then production efficiency is improved, but monitoring difficulties arise due to uncertainty of material movement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction efficiencyVSAvoidmaterial movement monitoring
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback control system with sensors that continuously monitor material flow rate, temperature, and pressure parameters throughout the continuous fermentation process. These sensors provide real-time data to a control system that adjusts operating parameters to maintain optimal conditions. The feedback mechanism enables precise monitoring of material movement despite the continuous flow nature, ensuring stable and efficient production.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 solution enables continuous, efficient ethanol production with improved heat transfer, reduced energy consumption, and lower production costs, while stabilizing ethanol concentration and facilitating waste material recycling, thereby enhancing production efficiency and environmental sustainability.

Implementation Method 1

after be heated by the heating disk indirectly

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

the ethanol and water in fermentation materials partially vaporize into distillation gas

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVaporization: Evaporation

Implementation Method 3

the main line for steam outputting (205) at the end is provided with a gas-liquid separator (203), to separate steam and condensate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhase separation: Phase Change

Implementation Method 4

a condenser and a backflow tube which connects the condenser and the screw conveyor for feeding

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Data Source

PatentUS10239806B2Continuous solid-state separation device and process for producing fuel ethanol
Publication Date: 2019.03.26 TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY
  • US10239806B2 patent drawing

AI summary

The present invention belongs to the technology field of microbial fermentation of the sugar-containing raw materials for producing fuel ethanol. It specifically relates to a continuous separation device and process for producing fuel ethanol. The device is continuous distillation device, and is improvement of the distillation device in the prior art. The present invention utilizes a continuous ethanol separation process, which can make full use of fermentable sugar of the sweet sorghum straw (or sugar cane, sugar beet), increase ethanol yield, change the traditional mode of production, truly realize continuous ethanol separation process; and the waste materials produced in the procedure of distillation can be used either as fuel, or as animal feed, and this not only saves the cost, but also is greatly significant in environmental protection.