Sorghum Slurry Separation Using CO2 Phase Changes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for separating wax and oil from bioethanol production byproducts, particularly sorghum slurry, face inefficiencies such as clogging and incomplete separation, leading to substantial downtime and waste.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing CO2 in various phases, combined with heat and chambers, to separate wax and oil from sorghum slurry, involving a slurry supply tank, CO2 supply tank, dissolving, precipitation, and separation chambers, with precise temperature and pressure controls to achieve efficient separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If filter plates with filter papers and/or different types of media packed into the filter plates are used, then wax and oil separation is attempted, but clogging occurs requiring frequent replacement resulting in substantial downtime and added employee hours
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of CO2 (temperature, pressure) to achieve supercritical state for extraction, then uses phase change back to separate wax and oil. This avoids filter clogging by using fluid-phase separation instead of solid filtration media.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes CO2 phase transitions (liquid to supercritical to gas) to achieve separation. CO2 is pressurized to supercritical state for extraction, then depressurized to gas phase for separation, eliminating the need for filter media and preventing clogging.
2Reliability
If filter plates with filter papers and/or different types of media packed into the filter plates are used, then wax and oil separation is attempted, but wax remains trapped in the filter papers requiring frequent cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses CO2 phase change from supercritical to gas state to release and separate wax from filter media. The phase transition allows complete recovery of wax without trapping it in filter papers, eliminating maintenance difficulties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical filtration systems with a thermodynamic phase-change-based separation system. This substitution eliminates the need for filter media that trap wax, making the system easier to maintain and operate.
3Productivity
If centrifuges are used, then wax and oil separation is attempted, but the resulting products are not fully separated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes CO2 parameters (pressure, temperature) to achieve supercritical state for complete dissolution of wax and oil, then uses controlled depressurization to achieve complete phase separation. This provides both speed and completeness unlike centrifugal separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes CO2 phase transition from supercritical to gas state to achieve complete separation of wax and oil. The phase change creates distinct phases that separate completely, achieving both high productivity and manufacturing precision.
4Reliability
If conventional separation methods are used, then wax and oil separation is attempted, but economic viability is compromised due to frequent maintenance and downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical filtration and centrifugal systems with a supercritical CO2 extraction system based on phase transitions. This substitution eliminates filter media that require maintenance, ensuring operational continuity and economic viability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses CO2 phase transitions to achieve separation without mechanical media. The system operates continuously without filter replacement, maintaining both separation effectiveness and operational continuity for economic viability.
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 system effectively and economically separates sorghum wax for the carnauba wax market and sorghum oil for biodiesel or industrial lubricants, addressing the inefficiencies of conventional methods and utilizing CO2's phase changes to achieve high throughput and quality separation.
Implementation Method 1
The second pump and the second heat exchanger are configured to put the CO2 into a supercritical state. A dissolving chamber receives output from the slurry supply tank via the slurry line mixed with the supercritical CO2 via the CO2 line.
Implementation Method 2
The CO2 in liquid phase solidifies the wax and separates the wax from the slurry such that the wax precipitates by gravity to the bottom of the precipitation chamber.
Implementation Method 3
the wax precipitates by gravity to the bottom of the precipitation chamber
Implementation Method 4
A separation chamber receives CO2 and oil from the output line, where the CO2 is in a gas phase, and where the oil separates from the CO2.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method effect the separation of wax and oil from a sorghum slurry. The sorghum slurry is mixed with supercritical CO2 to create a first output, and the first output is mixed with liquid CO2 causing a sudden drop in temperature such that solid wax particles drop from the first output to create a second output of CO2 and oil. The second output is heated while reducing pressure such that the CO2 is put into a gas phase and the oil separates from the CO2.