Continuous Hydrothermal Carbonization Pipeline System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hydrothermal carbonization processes are inefficient due to their discontinuous nature, requiring extensive mechanical and personnel resources, and are not suitable for economical industrial use, with long conversion durations and issues related to biomass particle settling.
Innovation Solution
A continuous process control system using a pipeline configuration with cascaded pressure vessels and controlled feeding of biomass, water, and catalysts, allowing for continuous operation, reduced mechanical complexity, and efficient management of temperature and pressure conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If discontinuous process management is used with a single pressure vessel, then the conversion process can be completed, but the process duration is long (around twelve hours) and mechanical complexity is high
Solution Approach 1:
The single pressure vessel is divided into multiple pressure vessels (first pressure vessel, second pressure vessel, etc.) that are connected in series. Each vessel handles a portion of the conversion process, allowing continuous operation and reducing the time required for complete conversion while maintaining system reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables continuous conversion processes by connecting multiple pressure vessels in series with continuous input and output. Biomass slurry continuously enters the first pressure vessel, progresses through subsequent vessels, and exits as converted product, eliminating idle time between batches and improving overall productivity.
2Reliability
If discontinuous process management is used, then the conversion process can be controlled, but mechanical complexity and personnel requirements are considerable
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple pressure vessels are merged into a single integrated system with continuous flow paths and unified control mechanisms. This combination reduces the need for repeated opening and closing operations, simplifies personnel requirements, and maintains reliable process control throughout the conversion sequence.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary heating and pressurization in earlier pressure vessels before the material reaches subsequent vessels. This staged approach allows each vessel to operate at optimized conditions while reducing the overall complexity of controlling each individual vessel separately.
3Ease of manufacture
If biomass is converted in a single pressure vessel, then the conversion process is simple to set up, but biomass particles settle and process efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The conversion process is segmented across multiple pressure vessels, each potentially optimized for specific conversion stages. This segmentation prevents biomass particle settling issues that occur in single-vessel systems while maintaining relatively simple system setup through standardized vessel configurations and connections.
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
Enables a more efficient and cost-effective industrial use of hydrothermal carbonization by reducing process duration, minimizing mechanical complexity, and allowing for continuous operation, thereby improving the production of coal and oil-like products from biomass.
Implementation Method 1
The reaction that takes place is exothermic, which means that energy is released in the form of heat and/or light
Implementation Method 2
The temperature and/or pressure conditions in the pressure vessel are controlled in such a way that the filling material supplied to the pressure vessel is transported independently and preferably in a defined manner through the pipeline
Implementation Method 3
The pipeline forming the pressure vessel is at least partially arranged in a container that can be filled with at least one heat transfer medium, preferably oil
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a process and a device for the hydrothermal carbonization of biomass, wherein biomass together with water and at least one catalyst is converted in a pressure vessel by temperature and/or pressure elevation into substances such as coal, oil and/or like substances of related type. In order to improve the hydrothermal carbonization of biomass, in particular with respect to the time period of the conversion process, and also with respect to the type and manner of the process procedure, the present invention proposes that, to a pressure vessel which is constructed essentially as a pipe having at least one controllable inlet orifice and at least one controllable outlet orifice, biomass, water and/or at least one catalyst is fed via the at least one controllable inlet orifice, the temperature and/or pressure conditions in the pressure vessel are controlled in such a manner that the charge material fed to the pressure vessel of biomass, water and catalyst is transported in the pipe, wherein biomass, water and catalyst react with one another and at least one reaction product of the charge material is taken off via the at least one controllable outlet orifice.