Eccentric Roller Press for Biomass Dewatering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current biomass dewatering technologies, such as belt filter presses and screw presses, face challenges in effectively separating water from the cell structure of biomass due to insufficient pressure and high wear, while roller presses with perforated surfaces suffer from clogging and uneven material distribution, limiting the degree of dewatering and energy efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A roller press design featuring a non-perforated press roller with a closed surface, arranged at an angle within a drum, where liquid is discharged through side openings in a solids-free zone, combined with a dosing system ensuring uniform biomass distribution and pre-pressure buildup, to achieve efficient cell disruption and dewatering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If screw presses are used for dewatering biomass, then the structure is simple and operation is easy, but the pressing pressure is insufficient to break up the cell structure and the solids clog the screen holes
Solution Approach 1:
The press roller is divided into multiple segments that can be independently adjusted, allowing optimization of pressing pressure distribution while maintaining structural simplicity. The segmented design enables local adjustment to prevent clogging while achieving sufficient pressing pressure for cell structure disruption.
Solution Approach 2:
The press roller incorporates adjustable segments that can be dynamically positioned to optimize the pressing action. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the system to adapt to different biomass types and maintain effective pressing pressure without increasing overall device complexity.
2Strength
If roller presses with perforated surfaces are used, then high pressing pressure can be generated to break up cell structure, but the fibers form a coating on the roller surfaces that closes the holes and there is no self-cleaning effect
Solution Approach 1:
The press roller segments are designed to be adjustable, creating dynamic movement during operation. This movement prevents fiber coating buildup by continuously changing the contact points, maintaining hole openness and drainage efficiency while preserving high pressing pressure capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable segmented structure enables a self-cleaning mechanism where the movement and adjustment of segments automatically prevent fiber accumulation. The system maintains its own functionality without external intervention, keeping drainage holes clear while sustaining high pressing pressure.
3Productivity
If roller presses with narrow press gap are used, then good drainage of press juice is achieved, but the fibers form a coating on the roller surfaces and the degree of dewatering depends on even material distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The press roller is segmented into multiple adjustable sections, allowing independent optimization of each segment's position and pressure. This segmentation enables maintaining a narrow press gap for efficient drainage while accommodating variations in material distribution through local adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
Different segments of the press roller can be adjusted to provide locally optimized pressing conditions. This allows the system to handle uneven material distribution by adjusting specific segments to match local material characteristics, maintaining overall dewatering efficiency.
4Stress or pressure
If belt filter presses are used, then the structure is simple, but the pressures required to separate water from cell structure cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable segmented press roller creates dynamic pressing action that generates high pressure sufficient to break up cell structure. The ability to adjust segment positions and pressures dynamically allows achieving high pressing pressures while maintaining operational flexibility and avoiding excessive device complexity.
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 design enables high-efficiency dewatering of biomass in a single step, overcoming clogging issues and ensuring even pressure distribution, thereby enhancing the transfer of plant constituents into the press juice and reducing mineral content in the pressed material.
Implementation Method 1
The press roller (2) which is arranged eccentrically to the drum axis (1) and is rotatably mounted, by which the pressing zone (8) is formed between drum (1) and press roller (2)
Implementation Method 2
The high pressure required to break up the cell structure of the straw-like biomass can be generated
Implementation Method 3
the pressed liquid flows through the slightly compressed and non-compacted biomass against the material flow and in a largely solids-free zone at the bottom of the drum (drum sole) is discharged
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
Roller press with a rotatably mounted outer drum (1), a rotatably mounted press roller (2) arranged eccentrically in the outer drum (1), a feed device (9) supplying material to the press gap formed by the drum (1) and press roller (2), and a discharge device (21) for removing the pressed material, wherein the axis of the press roller (2) is arranged in the lower region of the drum (1) in a sector that deviates from the vertical in the direction of the discharge device (21) with respect to the axis of rotation of the drum (1), characterized by a guide plate (15) covering the bottom of the drum (1) and directing material to the press gap from the feed device (9), wherein the guide plate (15) has slots (16) and a metering shaft (14) having a plurality of drivers (13) is arranged below the guide plate (15) for driving the biomass, wherein the drivers (13) are engaged by the Reach through the slots (16).