Microfiltration Membrane Saccharified Liquid Solid Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The production of sugar liquids from cellulose-containing biomass is hindered by the high cost and inefficiency of conventional solid-liquid separation methods, particularly when dealing with biomass having a lignin content of not more than 8.5%, which often results in incomplete removal of solid components and membrane clogging.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the saccharification of pretreated cellulose-containing biomass with a lignin content of not more than 8.5%, followed by direct filtration through a microfiltration membrane to form a cake on the membrane surface, which is then peeled off and collected, thereby avoiding the use of large-scale solid-liquid separation devices and reducing equipment costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional solid-liquid separation devices (filter press, screw press, centrifugation) are used, then separation capacity is sufficient, but equipment cost and operation cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a microfiltration membrane (thin film structure) to replace conventional large-scale solid-liquid separation devices. The membrane has pore sizes of 0.01-5 μm that can effectively separate solid components from saccharified liquid, achieving reliable separation capacity while dramatically reducing equipment cost and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The microfiltration membrane is a porous material with specific pore sizes (0.01-5 μm) that allows liquid passage while retaining solid particles. This porous structure enables effective solid-liquid separation without requiring large-scale equipment, solving both separation capacity and equipment cost issues.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional solid-liquid separation methods are used, then equipment is available, but solid component removal is insufficient and membrane clogging occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pore size parameter of the filtration membrane to 0.01-5 μm, which is optimized for removing solid components from saccharified liquid. This parameter change enables complete solid component removal and prevents membrane clogging, improving reliability while maintaining process availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical separation systems (filter press, screw press, centrifugation) with a membrane filtration system. This substitution achieves superior solid component removal efficiency and prevents clogging by using the membrane's porous structure to physically block particles, rather than relying on mechanical forces that may be insufficient.
3Device complexity
If microfiltration membrane treatment is applied directly to saccharified liquid, then equipment cost is reduced, but membrane clogging increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary saccharification treatment to convert cellulose and hemicellulose into fermentable sugars before membrane filtration. This preliminary action reduces the complexity and viscosity of the liquid, preventing membrane clogging while enabling the use of cost-effective microfiltration membranes for solid component removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the pore size parameter of the microfiltration membrane to 0.01-5 μm, which is large enough to allow efficient liquid passage but small enough to block solid components. This parameter optimization prevents membrane clogging while maintaining low equipment cost.
4Reliability
If multiple separation stages (solid-liquid separation device + microfiltration membrane) are used, then solid component removal is improved, but operation cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the saccharification and filtration processes into a single integrated system. The microfiltration membrane performs both solid component removal and acts as the final clarification step, eliminating the need for separate solid-liquid separation devices and reducing operation cost while maintaining reliable solid component removal.
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 enables efficient separation of solid components from the saccharified liquid, reducing operational costs and preventing membrane clogging, resulting in a cost-effective production of sugar liquids without the need for large-scale equipment.
Implementation Method 1
filtering the saccharified liquid obtained in Step (a) through a microfiltration membrane to allow formation of a cake on the membrane surface
Implementation Method 2
saccharifying a pretreated product having a lignin content of not more than 8.5% obtained by pretreatment of a cellulose-containing biomass
Implementation Method 3
saccharification of cellulose and hemicellulose, which are polysaccharides
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
In solid-liquid separation of a saccharified liquid by filtration through a microfiltration membrane, the filtration performance can be increased by adjusting the lignin content in a pretreated product derived from a cellulose-containing biomass to not more than 8.5% to promote formation, on the membrane surface, of a cake in which the solid component in the saccharified liquid is concentrated. Collection of the cake formed on the membrane surface allows efficient solid-liquid separation of the saccharified liquid with the microfiltration membrane.