Screw Compression for Lignocellulosic Suspension Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Enzymatic hydrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass is limited by high solid concentrations, leading to inhibition by reaction intermediates and products, non-homogeneous enzyme distribution, pH, and temperature, which result in incomplete reactions and low yields, especially beyond 2-5% dry material content.
Innovation Solution
A process involving the compression of aqueous suspensions to separate and extract the liquid phase, which is then homogenized by heat and/or chemical treatments and reinjected onto the compressed solid phase, ensuring uniform reaction conditions and improved reaction kinetics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the solid content is increased beyond 2-5% dry material, then the productivity and sugar concentration are improved, but the reaction yield decreases due to inhibition by intermediates and products
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the liquid phase containing reaction intermediates and products from the solid phase periodically. This removal of inhibitory substances allows the reaction to proceed at higher solid concentrations without yield loss, resolving the contradiction between productivity and reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic compression and liquid extraction cycles during the reaction process. By periodically removing the liquid phase and reinjecting it after treatment, the system maintains high solid content while preventing accumulation of inhibitory substances, enabling both high productivity and maintained reaction yield
2Productivity
If the solid content is increased beyond 2-5% dry material, then the productivity is improved, but the reaction homogeneity deteriorates due to non-uniform enzyme distribution
Solution Approach 1:
By extracting the liquid phase that contains enzymes and reaction products, the patent prevents localized accumulation and non-uniform distribution. This allows higher solid content processing while maintaining reaction homogeneity through periodic refreshment of the liquid environment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and composition parameters of the liquid phase through heat and/or chemical treatments during extraction. This parameter modification ensures uniform enzyme distribution and reaction conditions even at high solid contents, resolving the homogeneity issue
3Productivity
If the solid content is increased beyond 2-5% dry material, then the productivity is improved, but the reaction completeness deteriorates leading to incomplete reactions
Solution Approach 1:
The periodic extraction and removal of the liquid phase prevents product inhibition and maintains reaction driving force. This allows the reaction to proceed to completion even at high solid contents, resolving the contradiction between productivity and reaction completeness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuous reaction progress by periodically removing inhibitory substances and reinjecting treated liquid that can continue to support reaction. This ensures complete reactions while processing high solid contents, achieving both high productivity and complete 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
This process enhances reaction yields and selectivity by maintaining uniform reaction conditions, overcoming limitations of high solid concentrations and intermediate inhibition, allowing for higher solid content processing and increased sugar concentrations, thus reducing distillation costs.
Implementation Method 1
a step a) for compression of said suspension so as to separate the liquid phase present in and between the solids from the compressed solid phase
Implementation Method 2
said liquid phase then being homogenised by heat and/or chemical treatments
Data Source
AI summary
The invention describes a process for the conversion of aqueous suspensions of lignocellulosic solids comprising a solids content of between 1 and 20% of dry material, said process comprising a step a) for compression of said suspension so as to separate the liquid phase present in and between the solids from the compressed solid phase and a step b) for extraction of at least the liquid phase, said liquid phase then being homogenized by heat and/or chemical treatments and reinjected on to the compressed solid phase.