Pressurized Biochar Filter for Centrate Nutrient Adsorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for processing fermentation residues and liquid manure are inefficient, producing unprocessed residues, being time- and energy-intensive, and requiring frequent membrane replacement, while also failing to fully utilize resources and meet discharge specifications.
Innovation Solution
A method using a pressurized water filter with biochar as filter material, obtained from pyrolysis of solids in the digestate, to adsorb nutrients and trace elements from the centrate, simplifying processing and allowing for the production of dischargeable wastewater and biochar fertilizer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If membrane processes are used for complete treatment of liquid digestate, then purification quality is improved, but operational reliability deteriorates due to frequent membrane replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses porous biochar material as a filter medium in a pressure filter system. The biochar's porous structure provides high surface area for adsorption of nutrients and trace elements, achieving effective purification without the reliability issues of membrane processes. The biochar can be easily replaced and regenerated, maintaining operational reliability.
2Productivity
If conventional processing methods are used for digestate, then treatment is achieved, but processing time and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies pressure (0.5-5 bar) to accelerate the filtration process through the biochar bed, significantly reducing processing time compared to conventional gravity-based methods. The pressurized operation enhances flow rate while maintaining effective contact time for adsorption, improving treatment efficiency without excessive energy input.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple processing stages are used for digestate treatment, then purification quality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single pressure filter unit: solid-liquid separation, adsorption of nutrients and trace elements, and filtration. The biochar material simultaneously performs adsorption and the porous structure provides physical filtration, eliminating the need for separate processing stages and reducing overall system complexity.
4Productivity
If biochar is used as filter material in pressurized water filter, then processing is simplified and productivity is improved, but filter material cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The biochar is produced from the solid fraction of digestate itself through pyrolysis, converting waste material into a valuable filter medium. This self-service approach eliminates the need to purchase external filter materials, reducing operational costs while maintaining high treatment speed and productivity.
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 method significantly reduces the load on the centrate, omits or simplifies downstream cleaning stages, accelerates treatment, and provides a cost-effective, long-term release of nutrients via biochar, meeting pollution specifications and promoting circular economy.
Implementation Method 1
biochar is incorporated as filter material in the pressurized water filter, wherein the biochar is obtained in a preliminary step from solids contained in the digestate or slurry, and wherein nutrients, trace elements and/or organic trace substances contained in the centrate are adsorbed onto the biochar
Implementation Method 2
the biochar is obtained in a preliminary step from solids contained in the digestate or slurry
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for operating a pressurized water filter and a system incorporating a pressurized water filter are described, wherein nutrients, trace elements, and/or organic trace substances are removed from the centrate of digestate or slurry and adsorbed onto biochar particles. The method involves passing the centrate through a pressurized water filter containing biochar as a filter medium, the biochar being obtained from an upstream processing step of the digestate or slurry.