Pyrolysis Oil Solvent Stripping for Low-Fouling Solvent Recovery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Biomass-derived pyrolysis oil is thermally unstable due to high oxygen content, limiting its utilization as a biofuel, and existing solvent recovery methods are expensive or prone to equipment fouling, necessitating a more efficient and cost-effective solvent recovery process.

Innovation Solution

A solvent stripping process using a stripping column with controlled operating conditions to separate and recover organic solvents from pyrolysis oil, allowing for flexible operation and reduced thermal degradation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of substance

If conventional solvent recovery methods are used, then solvent can be recovered, but the process becomes expensive and equipment fouling occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesolvent recoveryVSAvoidoperational cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the operating parameters of the stripping column, specifically controlling temperature and pressure conditions to optimize solvent recovery. By operating at controlled temperatures below the decomposition point of pyrolysis oil and appropriate pressures, the process achieves efficient solvent recovery without the high operational costs and equipment fouling associated with conventional high-temperature distillation methods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a stripping solvent as an intermediary substance that facilitates the separation and recovery of the extraction solvent from pyrolysis oil. This intermediary stripping solvent enables the recovery process to proceed under milder conditions, reducing both operational costs and equipment fouling while maintaining effective solvent recovery

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If high temperature is used for solvent recovery, then solvent recovery efficiency improves, but thermal degradation of pyrolysis oil occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesolvent recovery efficiencyVSAvoidthermal degradation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the temperature parameter in the stripping column to maintain it below the decomposition temperature of pyrolysis oil components. This controlled temperature parameter allows sufficient solvent recovery efficiency while preventing thermal degradation of the thermally unstable pyrolysis oil, resolving the contradiction between recovery efficiency and thermal stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Loss of substance

If traditional distillation is used, then solvent separation is achieved, but equipment fouling and high operational cost result

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesolvent separationVSAvoidequipment fouling

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the operating parameters from traditional high-temperature distillation to controlled-temperature stripping, maintaining temperature and pressure conditions that prevent fouling while achieving effective solvent separation. This parameter optimization ensures reliable operation without equipment fouling

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The stripping solvent acts as an intermediary that facilitates solvent separation under milder conditions. This intermediary substance enables the separation process to occur without the harsh conditions that cause equipment fouling, while still achieving effective solvent recovery

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

The process enhances solvent recovery efficiency, enabling stable pyrolysis oil for further processing and reduces operational costs by optimizing solvent recovery and minimizing equipment fouling.

Implementation Method 1

A solvent stripping process using a stripping column with controlled operating conditions to separate and recover organic solvents from pyrolysis oil

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVapor-liquid equilibrium:

Implementation Method 2

introducing an extracted phase feed stream comprising pyrolysis oil and an organic solvent to a stripping column through an extracted phase feed stream inlet; introducing a stripping vapor feed stream comprising a stripping solvent to the stripping column

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectStripping:

Implementation Method 3

forming a stripping column overhead stream comprising the organic solvent and the stripping solvent

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Data Source

PatentUS12551822B2Process for recovery of pyrolysis oil extraction solvent

Publication Date: 2026.02.17 UOP LLC

AI summary

A solvent stripping process has been developed for separating the pyrolysis oil in an extracted phase feed stream from an organic solvent used for extraction. The process involves using a stripping solvent to strip the organic solvent from the pyrolysis oil in a stripping column. The stripping column bottom stream comprising the pyrolysis oil and part of the stripping solvent can be separated into a vapor stream comprising the stripping solvent and a liquid stream comprising the pyrolysis and a portion of the stripping solvent. The stripping column overhead stream comprising the stripping solvent and the organic solvent can be separated in a recovery column into a recovery column overhead stream comprising the stripping solvent and a recovery column bottom stream comprising the organic solvent.