Delignification Pretreatment for Recalcitrant Biomass Biogas
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Solution Overview
Problem
The production of biogas in anaerobic digesters is hindered by the presence of lignin in lignocellulosic biomass, which is recalcitrant to biodegradation and limits the bioavailability of cellulose, resulting in reduced methane yield and inconsistent biogas output.
Innovation Solution
The use of a delignification pretreatment to produce a cellulose that is substantially free of lignin, which can be added as a component of the feedstock to anaerobic digesters, thereby increasing the methane production and stabilizing the biogas output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If lignin-rich lignocellulosic biomass is used as feedstock in anaerobic digesters, then the biomass is readily available and can be processed, but the lignin content reduces methane yield and stabilizes biogas output inconsistently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the extraction principle by removing lignin from lignocellulosic biomass through delignification treatment. This separates the harmful lignin component from the useful cellulose and hemicellulose, allowing the latter to be more effectively converted to methane while eliminating the barrier that lignin presents to biodegradation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing delignification treatment on the biomass before it is fed into the anaerobic digester. This pre-treatment modifies the biomass structure in advance to improve its biodegradability and methane production potential, addressing the recalcitrance issue before the main conversion process.
2Stability of the object's composition
If lignin-rich biomass is used as feedstock, then the feedstock structure remains intact, but the bioavailability of cellulose is limited resulting in reduced methane production
Solution Approach 1:
The delignification process extracts and removes lignin from the biomass matrix, thereby increasing the accessibility and bioavailability of cellulose and hemicellulose to microorganisms in the anaerobic digester without compromising the overall structural integrity needed for handling and processing.
3Productivity
If delignification pretreatment is applied to remove lignin, then methane yield increases, but additional processing steps and complexity are introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the chemical composition of biomass through delignification, specifically reducing lignin content while preserving cellulose and hemicellulose. This chemical parameter change enhances biodegradability and methane production without requiring complex mechanical or thermal pretreatment processes.
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 incorporation of substantially lignin-free cellulose into the feedstock of anaerobic digesters significantly increases the methane yield and stabilizes the biogas production, overcoming the limitations imposed by lignin-rich biomass.
Implementation Method 1
a delignification pretreatment to produce a cellulose that is substantially free of lignin
Implementation Method 2
microbial degradation of various organic materials (both plant-based and animal-based products) in the absence of oxygen, i.e., in an anaerobic environment. This microbial degradation in an oxygen-free environment is called anaerobic digestion.
Implementation Method 3
at least one inoculum capable of converting a portion of said at least one organic material into methane under anaerobic conditions
Data Source
AI summary
In one example, a method includes providing a recalcitrant biomass; exposing said highly recalcitrant biomass to a delignification reaction wherein said delignification reaction comprising the exposure of said highly recalcitrant biomass to an acidic composition comprising a modified Caro's acid for a period of time sufficient to yield a treated cellulose which has a final lignin content of up to 100% less than the initial lignin content of the biomass; providing a digester whose contents comprises at least one inoculum comprising a microbial community capable of converting organic material into methane under anaerobic conditions; adding said treated cellulose to said digester; allowing sufficient time for the digester to degrade at least a portion of said treated cellulose and optionally, at least a portion of said organic material to yield a biogas composition comprising methane; capturing said biogas composition; and storing said biogas.