Rumen Fluid Fermentation for Cellulose Waste to Organic Acids
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for utilizing cellulose-containing waste, such as enzyme-based glycosylation and acid treatment, face high costs, environmental burdens, and low efficiency due to the expense of enzymes, inability to decompose lignin, and over-decomposition of sugars, while also requiring neutralization of wastewater.
Innovation Solution
Reacting cellulose-containing waste with rumen fluid in the presence of cysteine under anaerobic conditions to produce organic acids like acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid, which can be used for methane fermentation, utilizing waste rumen fluid and microorganisms to break down lignin without destroying sugar structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If enzyme (cellulase) is used for glycosylation of cellulose-containing waste, then treatment rate is relatively fast, but cost becomes high due to expensive enzyme and lack of recovery method
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive cellulase enzyme with a disposable acid treatment system. The acid is used in controlled amounts and can be neutralized, making it a cost-effective alternative to expensive enzymes that require recovery systems. This principle accepts that the acid will be consumed and neutralized rather than recovered and reused.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical parameter from enzymatic action to acid-based hydrolysis. By using acid (changing the chemical mechanism) instead of enzyme, the system achieves fast treatment rates without the high costs associated with enzyme procurement and recovery infrastructure.
2Productivity
If acid treatment is used for glycosylation of cellulose-containing waste, then treatment rate is relatively fast, but environmental burden increases due to need for neutralization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful acidic waste stream into a beneficial process by integrating it with alkaline waste streams. The acid treatment step generates acidic waste that can neutralize alkaline waste from other processes, and vice versa, converting environmental burdens into mutual benefits through waste heat and chemical neutralization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the acid treatment process with waste neutralization processes. By combining multiple waste treatment streams (acidic and alkaline) into a unified system, the patent eliminates the need for separate neutralization steps and reduces overall environmental burden while maintaining fast treatment rates.
3Productivity
If acid treatment is used for glycosylation of cellulose-containing waste, then decomposition occurs, but sugar bone structure is partly destroyed due to over-decomposition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial acid treatment followed by controlled neutralization. Rather than using excessive acid that would destroy sugar structures, the system uses just enough acid to initiate hydrolysis, then neutralizes it to stop the reaction at the optimal point, preserving sugar bone structure while achieving sufficient decomposition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback-controlled acid neutralization system where pH monitoring and automated neutralization prevent over-decomposition. The system continuously monitors the decomposition process and adjusts neutralization in real-time to maintain optimal conditions for sugar structure preservation.
4Use of energy by moving object
If cellulose-containing waste is incinerated, then energy is released, but huge amount of greenhouse gas carbon dioxide is produced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the thermal combustion process (incineration) with a biochemical fermentation process. Instead of burning cellulose to release energy, the system uses microorganisms to convert cellulose into organic acids and other valuable products, substituting a chemical-thermal process with a biological process that produces fewer emissions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of waste treatment from high-temperature combustion to low-temperature biological fermentation. This parameter change transforms the process from one that releases CO2 to one that produces organic acids and other useful compounds with minimal greenhouse gas emissions.
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 reduces production costs, minimizes environmental impact, and increases the yield and efficiency of organic acids for methane fermentation, accelerating the production of acetic acid and promoting the utilization of cellulose-based biomass.
Implementation Method 1
reacting rumen fluid collected from a ruminant with cellulose-containing waste under anaerobic conditions in the presence of cysteine to produce organic acids
Implementation Method 2
The anaerobic conditions are generated by co-existence of a compound with a reducing property selected from the group consisting of cysteine, sodium sulfate, ascorbic acid, methionine, thioglycolic acid, DDT and any combination thereof
Data Source
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AI summary
[Prpblem] To provide a method for producing acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, or another high-quality raw material designed for methane fermentation and obtained by converting waste paper and other forms of cellulose-based biomass to organic acid. This method serves as a method for the effective use of cellulose-containing waste matter, which is a high-quality fermentation resource. [Solution] A method for producing organic acid to serve as a raw material for methane fermentation, the method comprising a step for reacting rumen fluid collected from a ruminant animal with cellulose-containing waste matter. Also, a method for performing methane fermentation to produce methane using, as a raw material, either the organic acid produced by the method for producing organic acid, or processed rumen fluid product containing the organic acid.