Sequential Biomass Pyrolysis for Biofuel Yield

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current biofuel production from biomass through pyrolysis is limited by the high temperature required for cellulose pyrolysis, which results in significant tar and ash production, reducing the quality and yield of biofuel and introducing pollutants.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the sequential pyrolysis of biomass fractions at their optimal temperatures, with the volatile products of one fraction being removed before pyrolyzing the next, to minimize tar and ash production and maximize biofuel yield.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If high temperature pyrolysis is used to pyrolyse cellulose, then cellulose can be effectively converted to biofuel, but significant amounts of tar and ash are produced which pollute the biofuel and reduce its quality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecellulose conversion efficiencyVSAvoidtar and ash pollution

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The biomass material is divided into different fractions based on their pyrolysis temperature characteristics. The process separates the pyrolysis of cellulose (high temperature fraction) from lignin and hemicellulose (lower temperature fractions), allowing each to be treated at its optimal temperature to maximize biofuel yield while minimizing tar and ash production

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The pyrolysis temperature parameter is optimized for each biomass fraction rather than using a single high temperature for all components. By matching the pyrolysis temperature to each fraction's optimal range, the process achieves effective cellulose conversion while reducing the formation of harmful tar and ash from lignin and hemicellulose

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If fast pyrolysis is used to increase biofuel yield, then a higher yield of light pourable liquid is obtained, but the process requires rapid heating and cooling which increases process complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebiofuel yieldVSAvoidheating and cooling system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pyrolysis process is segmented into multiple stages corresponding to different biomass fractions. Each stage operates at a specific temperature range appropriate for that fraction, eliminating the need for extremely rapid heating and cooling rates required in conventional fast pyrolysis, thus reducing system complexity while maintaining high biofuel yield

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Object-affected harmful factors

If sequential pyrolysis of different biomass fractions is implemented, then tar and ash production is minimized and biofuel quality is improved, but the process time increases due to multiple pyrolysis steps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetar and ash productionVSAvoidtotal pyrolysis process time

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The biomass material is pre-classified into different fractions based on their pyrolysis temperature characteristics before the pyrolysis process begins. This preliminary segmentation allows the subsequent pyrolysis steps to proceed more efficiently, as each fraction is already positioned for its optimal temperature treatment, reducing the overall time penalty of sequential processing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The sequential pyrolysis steps are designed to follow one another in a continuous manner, with each fraction being pyrolysed in sequence without unnecessary interruptions. This continuous action minimizes the cumulative time loss while achieving the benefit of reduced tar and ash production through optimized temperature control for each fraction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 approach increases the production of high-quality biofuel by optimizing each biomass fraction's pyrolysis temperature, reducing tar and ash, and enhancing the biofuel yield, resulting in a cleaner and more efficient biofuel production process.

Implementation Method 1

pyrolysing a first fraction of the biomass material having a pyrolysis temperature that is lower relative to the pyrolysis temperature of a second fraction of the biomass material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPyrolysis: Pyrolysis

Implementation Method 2

the volatile products of the pyrolysis of the first fraction are removed before the pyrolysis of the second fraction takes place

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVaporization: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentUS9518227B2Method for producing biofuel

Publication Date: 2016.12.13 PETROLIAM NASIONAL BHD

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for producing biofuel from biomass material, comprising the steps of (a) pyrolyzing a first fraction of the biomass material having a pyrolysis temperature that is lower relative to the pyrolysis temperature of a second fraction of the biomass material to thereby produce a primary volatile fraction, and (b) separating the primary volatile fraction from the biomass material before pyrolyzing the second fraction, to thereby produce biofuel.