Glycerin Purification via Flash Evaporation and Heat Exchange
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The biodiesel industry faces challenges in purifying crude glycerin to a high enough purity for market use due to contamination and high costs associated with existing refining methods, which are not feasible for smaller scale refineries and do not effectively remove methanol impurities.
Innovation Solution
A continuous process involving a cascading heat exchanger and horizontal flash evaporator to separate and purify glycerin, achieving 80-98% purity by removing alcohol and water, with the option to reuse alcohol as boiler fuel or sell it, and utilizing a three-stage settling system to separate phases, allowing for a compact and cost-effective solution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional refining methods are used to achieve 99.9% pure glycerin, then product purity is improved, but manufacturing cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the target purity parameter from 99.9% (pharmaceutical grade) to 85-95% (technical grade), which allows the use of simpler, less expensive purification methods while still meeting market requirements for industrial applications
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial purification actions sufficient to achieve 85-95% purity through a combination of neutralization, extraction, and distillation steps, rather than applying the full extent of traditional refining that would be required to reach 99.9% purity
2Manufacturing precision
If existing glycerin refining systems are implemented, then glycerin purity is improved, but space requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The refining system is divided into separate functional modules: neutralization unit, extraction unit, and distillation unit, each handling specific contaminants. This modular segmentation allows for a more compact arrangement and flexible configuration that reduces overall space requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The system integrates multiple purification functions into a unified process flow where each unit performs multiple operations (e.g., the distillation unit handles both water removal and alcohol recovery), thereby reducing the total number of separate equipment pieces needed and minimizing space occupation
3Manufacturing precision
If conventional purification methods are used, then glycerin purity is improved, but the system becomes complex and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
By adjusting the target purity parameter to 85-95% technical grade, the patent simplifies the required purification process, eliminating the need for complex multi-stage refining operations that would be necessary to achieve higher purity levels
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes specific problematic contaminants (methanol, water, salts, soaps) through targeted purification steps, focusing on the most significant impurities rather than attempting to remove all possible contaminants, thereby simplifying the overall process
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 process effectively produces industrial-grade glycerin suitable for various industrial uses, reducing costs and space requirements, making it viable for smaller biodiesel refineries and creating a new market for technical-grade glycerin.
Implementation Method 1
The crude glycerin stream is heated in a cascading heat exchanger with the hot finished glycerin stream
Implementation Method 2
The crude glycerin is pumped in a continuous horizontal flash evaporator. The glycerin is heated to 250-350 degrees F., and the alcohol and water are removed and separated
Implementation Method 3
The dehydrated glycerin is sent through a three stage continuous settling system where the dehydrated glycerin is separated into three phases
Data Source
AI summary
A glycerin recovery system uses a reboiler and a heat exchanging system. The reboiler heats crude glycerin to separate the crude glycerin into finished glycerin and condensates such that the finished glycerin is in a range of 80-98% purity. The heat exchanging system transfers heat energy in the finished glycerin to the crude glycerin.