Dehydrated Sugar Substrate for High Methane Biogas
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current biogas production methods face challenges in finding a methanogenic substrate with high methane potential that is stable for long-term storage and produces minimal ammonia and hydrogen sulfide, while also being cost-effective and environmentally friendly.
Innovation Solution
The use of a product obtained through internal dehydration of hydrogenated sugar, specifically a composition comprising monoanhydrohexitols, dianhydrohexitols, and anhydrohexitol polymers, as a methanogenic substrate in biogas production processes, which is stable, biodegradable, and capable of producing biogas with low hydrogen sulfide levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional substrates like liquid manure or glucose are used for biogas production, then the process is simple and cost-effective, but the methane potential is limited and ammonia/hydrogen sulfide content is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by chemically modifying the molecular structure of sugars through dehydration to form anhydrohexitols and anhydrohexitol polymers. This chemical transformation changes the substrate parameters (molecular weight, solubility, stability) to achieve higher methane potential while reducing harmful gas production during methanization
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by creating a mixture of different anhydrohexitol compounds (monoanhydrohexitols, dianhydrohexitols, and anhydrohexitol polymers) with specific compositional ratios. This composite approach optimizes both methane yield and stability properties while controlling harmful emissions
2Stability of the object's composition
If biomass is dehydrated to concentrate it for long-term storage, then storage stability is improved, but the substrate requires storage under nitrogen atmosphere and complex handling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the substrate by dehydrating sugars to form anhydrohexitols, which fundamentally alters the molecular structure to achieve intrinsic stability without requiring controlled atmosphere storage. The chemical modification enables stability under normal storage conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a substrate that is stable enough for long-term storage without requiring expensive nitrogen atmosphere infrastructure. The simplified storage requirements reduce operational complexity and costs while maintaining substrate integrity
3Productivity
If a methanogenic substrate with high methane potential is sought, then biogas productivity increases, but finding a substrate that is also stable for long-term storage and produces minimal harmful gases becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent simultaneously optimizes multiple parameters through chemical dehydration: molecular structure (for methane potential), compositional stability (for storage reliability), and chemical composition (for emission control). This multi-parameter optimization achieves all three goals concurrently
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite of multiple anhydrohexitol compounds with optimized ratios to achieve synergistic effects: high methane potential from the reactive components, long-term stability from the polymer components, and controlled emissions from the balanced composition
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 approach results in a biogas production process that achieves high methane yield, stability during storage, and reduced ammonia and hydrogen sulfide content, outperforming traditional substrates like liquid manures or glucose.
Implementation Method 1
internal dehydration of a hydrogenated sugar
Implementation Method 2
Biogas is obtained by methanization (also known as anaerobic digestion) of organic matter. The degradation is carried out by microorganisms, under controlled conditions and the absence of oxygen.
Data Source
AI summary
The use of a product for internal dehydration of hydrogenated sugar as a methanogen substrate in a method for biogas production, a composition including a monoanhydrohexitol (M), a dianhydrohexitol (D), and anhydrohexitol polymers (P), and a methanisation method.