Mobile Pyrolysis Plant for On-Site Biomass Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
The production of bio-oil and biochar through pyrolysis is labor-intensive and economically unfeasible due to the effort and expense associated with harvesting and transporting biomass to remote pyrolysis plants.
Innovation Solution
A mobile pyrolysis plant that travels through the field where biomass is grown, harvesting and processing biomass on-site, producing biochar and syngas, and applying biochar back to the field for agronomic benefits, while utilizing syngas for heat and electricity generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If biomass is transported to a remote pyrolysis plant, then pyrolysis can be performed with dedicated equipment, but the process becomes labor-intensive and economically unfeasible due to harvesting and transportation costs
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of transporting biomass to a fixed pyrolysis plant, the patent inverts the approach by bringing the pyrolysis plant to the biomass location. The mobile pyrolysis plant travels to fields, forests, or waste sites to process biomass in situ, eliminating transportation costs and making the process economically viable while maintaining reliable pyrolysis operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the static pyrolysis plant into a mobile, dynamic system that can move between different biomass sources. The plant is mounted on wheels or tracks with its own power source, allowing it to dynamically position itself at various locations to process biomass wherever it is grown or found, thereby eliminating transportation requirements
2Productivity
If a mobile pyrolysis plant is used to process biomass on-site, then transportation costs are eliminated and economic feasibility improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile pyrolysis plant is designed as a multi-functional integrated system that combines biomass processing, pyrolysis reaction, product separation, and power generation in a single mobile unit. This universal design handles multiple operations simultaneously, reducing the need for separate equipment and infrastructure at fixed locations, thereby managing complexity while maintaining economic feasibility
3Ease of manufacture
If biomass is harvested and transported to a fixed location, then centralized processing can be achieved, but the effort and expense make the process labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional centralized processing model by decentralizing the pyrolysis operation. Instead of gathering biomass centrally and then processing it, the mobile plant brings processing capabilities directly to the biomass source, eliminating the labor-intensive harvesting and transportation steps while maintaining effective biomass conversion
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
Reduces costs and labor by producing bio-oil and biochar on-site, enhancing soil fertility, and providing a sustainable energy source, thus making the process economically viable.
Implementation Method 1
Pyrolysis is a process in which biomass is heated in a low oxygen environment to convert the biomass into biochar and a gas stream containing condensable and non-condensable gases
Implementation Method 2
Bio-oil can be condensed or separated out of the gas stream
Implementation Method 3
syngas produced by the mobile pyrolysis plant can be used to generate heat and/or electricity used by the mobile pyrolysis plant
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure relates to a mobile pyrolysis plant and related systems and methods. An example method includes: providing a mobile pyrolyzer configured to traverse a field where biomass is grown; providing harvested biomass to the mobile pyrolyzer as the mobile pyrolyzer traverses the field; subjecting the harvested biomass to a fast pyrolysis process in the mobile pyrolyzer to generate biochar, bio-oil, and syngas as the mobile pyrolyzer traverses the field; and applying the biochar to the field as the mobile pyrolyzer traverses the field.