Continuous Thermochemical Process for Biofuel and Chemical Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current processes for recycling waste into valuable biofuels and biochemical products are hindered by high production costs and inefficiencies, particularly in the thermochemical conversion of organic materials, where sugars reduce the calorific value of the fuel and nitrogen-rich proteins can poison catalysts.
Innovation Solution
A continuous thermochemical process involving acid depolymerization and solvolysis of organic materials and waste using solvents like alcohols and glycols, followed by liquid-liquid extraction with water, which separates sugars and recovers solvents, thereby increasing the calorific value of the fuel and preventing catalyst poisoning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If thermochemical conversion of organic materials is performed to produce biofuels, then valuable biochemical products are obtained, but sugars produced during the process reduce the calorific value of the fuel
Solution Approach 1:
The process segments the thermochemical conversion into distinct phases: acid depolymerization to break down organic materials, solvolysis to dissolve components, and liquid-liquid extraction to separate sugars from the fuel. This segmentation allows selective removal of sugars while preserving the calorific value of the fuel product.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies liquid-liquid extraction to take out sugars from the fuel mixture. By adding water to the reaction mixture, sugars are extracted into the aqueous phase while the fuel remains in the organic phase, thereby removing the harmful component that reduces calorific value.
2Quantity of substance
If proteins from organic waste are processed in thermochemical conversion, then nitrogen-containing compounds are produced, but nitrogen-rich proteins can poison the catalysts
Solution Approach 1:
The process performs preliminary acid depolymerization and solvolysis treatment before the main thermochemical conversion. This preliminary action breaks down proteins into simpler compounds and removes nitrogen-rich components that would otherwise poison the catalysts during subsequent processing steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid-liquid extraction step extracts nitrogen-containing compounds from the reaction mixture into the aqueous phase, separating them from the fuel product. This removes the harmful nitrogen compounds that would poison catalysts while preserving the catalyst activity for producing valuable biochemical products.
3Quantity of substance
If conventional batch or semi-batch processes are used for waste recycling, then valuable derivatives are produced, but production costs are high and scalability is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a continuous process where organic materials are continuously fed into the reactor, and the reaction mixture continuously undergoes acid depolymerization, solvolysis, and extraction. This continuous operation eliminates idle times between batches, maintains optimal reaction conditions, and enables large-scale production, thereby reducing production costs and improving scalability.
Solution Approach 2:
The process optimizes parameters such as acid concentration, temperature, and solvent composition to maximize efficiency. By carefully controlling these parameters, the continuous process achieves high conversion rates and product yields while minimizing energy consumption and operational costs, making the process economically viable at scale.
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 process effectively produces high-calorific value biofuels, recovers valuable compounds like levulinic acid and phenolic antioxidants, and utilizes waste solvents, enhancing the circular economy by converting organic waste into bioethanol, bioplastics, and other products.
Implementation Method 1
acid depolymerization and solvolysis of organic materials and waste... These components are depolymerized in the presence of a solvent giving rise to molecules of different molecular weights
Implementation Method 2
breakdown of ether linkages and decarboxylation reactions... formation of added value compounds, including lactic acid, formic acid, hydroxymethylfurfural, furfural, levulinic acid
Implementation Method 3
liquid-liquid extraction of sugars, polysaccharides and phenolic compounds of the product obtained in (a) by adding a mass amount of from 10 to 75% water
Implementation Method 4
distillation of the oil phase of the product obtained in b) wherein the obtained phase has boiling points ranging from 100 to 240°C
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The present invention relates to a novel liquid-liquid extraction process of a bio-oil obtained by an improved thermochemical process. This extraction process gives rise to two distinct phases: an organic phase, with bio-oil of energetic added value, and an aqueous phase, where the following can be obtained by chemical compounds with added value: lactic acid, formic acid, hydroxymethylfurfural, furfural, levulinic acid, monosaccharides, disaccharides and compounds with antioxidant properties, among others.