Mechanical Disruption for Biomass Solubilization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for converting cellulosic biomass into biofuel or other products are hindered by the need for costly pretreatment processes that require high temperatures and chemicals, leading to increased processing costs and potential inhibition of hydrolysis and fermentation.

Innovation Solution

The use of cellulolytic microbes in conjunction with mechanical disruption of lignocellulose particles during the conversion process, eliminating the need for added cellulase and pretreatment, and applying mechanical disruption during microbial fermentation on partially solubilized biomass to enhance solubilization rates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If pretreatment using high temperature and chemicals is applied, then biomass solubilization yield is improved, but processing costs increase and fermentation performance is inhibited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebiomass solubilization yieldVSAvoidfermentation inhibition and processing costs

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the harmful pretreatment step from the conventional biomass conversion process. By eliminating acid/alkali pretreatment and replacing it with native microbial cellulases, the process removes the source of fermentation inhibition and cost increase while maintaining solubilization effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables the microbial consortium to perform self-service by utilizing their native cellulolytic enzymes to directly solubilize pretreated biomass. The microbes' own enzymatic systems replace the need for external chemical pretreatment, achieving solubilization without harmful agents.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If mechanical disruption is applied before fermentation, then biomass accessibility is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebiomass accessibilityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary mild mechanical disruption to reduce biomass particle size and increase surface area before fermentation. This preliminary action enhances microbial accessibility to cellulose without requiring excessive energy input, creating optimal conditions for enzymatic hydrolysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical parameters of biomass (particle size, surface area) through controlled mechanical disruption. By optimizing these parameters rather than using intensive milling, the process improves accessibility while minimizing energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If intensive mechanical milling is applied, then solubilization rate is improved, but microbial viability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesolubilization rateVSAvoidmicrobial viability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary mild mechanical disruption to prepare biomass for fermentation, then applies additional mechanical disruption only after fermentation has progressed. This timing strategy ensures microbes are already established and can withstand or recover from the mechanical stress, maintaining viability while achieving high solubilization rates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs periodic mechanical disruption during the fermentation process rather than continuous intensive milling. By applying mechanical stress intermittently and at specific stages, the process maintains microbial viability while progressively enhancing solubilization rates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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 achieves higher extents and rates of cellulosic feedstock solubilization with reduced energy consumption and costs, while maintaining fermentation efficiency, potentially replacing traditional pretreatment methods.

Implementation Method 1

cellulolytic microbes in conjunction with mechanical disruption of lignocellulose particles during the conversion process

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEnzymatic hydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Implementation Method 2

eliminating the need for added cellulase

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEnzyme action: Enzyme

Implementation Method 3

mechanical disruption of lignocellulose particles during the conversion process

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 4

cellulolytic microbes in conjunction with mechanical disruption of lignocellulose particles during the conversion process

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFermentation: Fermentation

Data Source

PatentUS10533194B2Systems and methods for enhancing microbial conversion of biomass using mechanical augmentation

Publication Date: 2020.01.14 TRUSTEES OF DARTMOUTH COLLEGE THE

AI summary

A system and method for converting biomass with no chemical pretreatment is disclosed. Combination of a microbial system and the use of mechanical disruption during fermentation may help achieve high conversion rate without the extra cost and undesirable by-products typically associated with the pretreatment process.