Hydrothermal Liquefaction Device with Three-Zone Piston System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydrothermal liquefaction processes face challenges with secondary reactions forming bio-char at temperatures below 250°C and sedimentation issues in pipelines due to long heating times and heterogeneous biomass compositions, leading to clogging problems.
Innovation Solution
A device with three zones (Z1, Z2, and Z3) that includes a heating and compression zone, where biomass is rapidly transferred from a low-temperature, low-pressure zone to a high-temperature, high-pressure zone for hydrothermal liquefaction, minimizing residence time at subcritical temperatures and using independent pistons to manage volume and pressure, thus preventing sedimentation and clogging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If biomass is heated slowly in conventional processes, then heating is more controlled, but residence time at subcritical temperatures increases causing secondary reactions and bio-char formation
Solution Approach 1:
The heating process is segmented into distinct zones: a preheating zone (Z1) and a hydrothermal liquefaction zone (Z2). This segmentation allows controlled heating in Z1 while minimizing residence time in the high-temperature zone, preventing secondary reactions and bio-char formation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system rapidly transfers biomass through the preheating zone and into the hydrothermal liquefaction zone, minimizing the time spent at subcritical temperatures. This 'rushing through' approach prevents secondary reactions while maintaining heating control.
2Use of energy by moving object
If biomass is injected into a preheated reactor, then heating efficiency is improved, but sedimentation and clogging occur in pipes and injection pump
Solution Approach 1:
Biomass is preheated and pressurized in zone Z1 before entering the hydrothermal liquefaction zone. This preliminary action prevents sedimentation and clogging in pipelines by ensuring biomass is in a fluidized state before injection, while maintaining heating efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
Zone Z1 acts as an intermediary chamber that prepares biomass for injection into the main reactor. This intermediary zone eliminates direct contact between raw biomass and the injection system, preventing clogging while maintaining heating efficiency.
3Use of energy by stationary object
If biomass is treated at temperatures below 250°C for extended periods, then energy consumption is reduced, but hydrothermal carbonization occurs forming bio-char
Solution Approach 1:
The system rapidly changes temperature and pressure parameters to transition biomass from the preheating zone into the hydrothermal liquefaction zone. This parameter change approach minimizes time at subcritical temperatures, preventing hydrothermal carbonization while managing energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts residence time by rapidly transferring biomass through the preheating zone. This dynamic approach prevents prolonged exposure to temperatures that cause hydrothermal carbonization, eliminating bio-char formation while controlling energy input.
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 limits secondary reactions, reduces sedimentation and clogging, and enables efficient hydrothermal liquefaction of biomass by quickly heating and pressurizing the biomass, allowing for rapid evacuation of products, thereby enhancing the production of biocrude and other organic molecules.
Implementation Method 1
a heating and compression zone, where biomass is rapidly transferred from a low-temperature, low-pressure zone to a high-temperature, high-pressure zone
Implementation Method 2
a heating and compression zone, where biomass is rapidly transferred from a low-temperature, low-pressure zone to a high-temperature, high-pressure zone
Implementation Method 3
under temperature and pressure conditions below 374°C and 22.1 MPa, water is both the reaction solvent and a reagent, it is possible to form, from organic matter, a combustible biocrude (a kind of green oil) and molecules of interest for chemical synthesis
Implementation Method 4
The energy released by the exothermic oxidation reaction can be enhanced by supplying it as a heat source to the endothermic hydrothermal liquefaction reaction
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The present invention relates to a hydrothermal liquefaction device for a biomass-based composition, comprising: - a chamber defining a volume VE, comprising three successive zones Z1, Z2, and Z3: zone Z1 being equipped with an inlet EZ1 for a biomass-based composition, and being at a temperature TZ1 and a pressure PZ1; zone Z2 corresponding to a hydrothermal liquefaction reaction zone for the biomass at a temperature TZ2 and a pressure PZ2; zone Z3 being equipped with an outlet SZ3 for the products resulting from the hydrothermal liquefaction reaction of the biomass, and being at a temperature TZ3 and a pressure PZ3; - two pistons P1 and P2, sliding independently of each other between zones Z1, Z2, and Z3 so as to move the biomass-based composition from zone Z1 to zone Z3, pistons P1 and P2 being able to be spaced apart by The other way is to define a variable volume VP that is less than VE,- an external heating method for zone Z2, - means for activating pistons P1 and P2 to vary the volume VP.