Supercritical Biomass Conversion with Induction Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing biomass conversion technologies are inefficient and not commercially viable for large-scale production of cellulosic-based motor fuels due to the complex chemical structure of biomass materials, particularly cellulose, which hinders effective breakdown by microorganisms and enzymes.
Innovation Solution
The use of supercritical fluid biomass conversion systems with centralized electromagnetic induction heating, which generates a transverse alternating magnetic field to enhance the rapid cleavage and depolymerization of biomass molecules into fermentable sugars and aromatic compounds, utilizing a mixture of biomass, water, and electrically conductive particles inductively heated by an alternating magnetic field.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional acid hydrolysis and enzymatic saccharification methods are used to convert cellulose to glucose, then the process can be carried out with standard equipment, but the conversion efficiency is low and the method is not commercially viable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the reaction system by using supercritical water (extreme temperature and pressure conditions) instead of conventional acid hydrolysis or enzymatic methods. This parameter change enables rapid hydrolysis of cellulose to glucose with high conversion efficiency, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transitions of water (liquid to supercritical fluid and back) to enable the conversion process. The supercritical state of water provides unique properties that facilitate rapid and efficient hydrolysis of cellulose, achieving both high productivity and commercial viability.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If microorganisms and enzymes are used to break down cellulose, then the process is biologically friendly, but the complex chemical structure of biomass prevents effective attack without prior treatment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by using supercritical water to rapidly hydrolyze the complex chemical structure of cellulose into simple sugars before the biological conversion step. This preliminary treatment breaks down the recalcitrant biomass structure, making it accessible to microorganisms and enzymes for further conversion, thereby resolving the contradiction between biological friendliness and productivity.
3Productivity
If flow or batch type micro-reactors are used to hydrolyze cellulose in supercritical water, then high yield glucose can be obtained, but the system is not suitable for commercial-scale production
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the commercial-scale system into multiple modular components: biomass preparation unit, supercritical water hydrolysis unit, glucose recovery unit, and fermentation unit. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized independently and facilitates scalable commercial production while maintaining high productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses supercritical water as an intermediary medium to transfer energy and facilitate the hydrolysis reaction. This intermediary enables efficient mass and heat transfer between the biomass and the reaction environment, achieving high yield glucose production at commercial scale without excessive device complexity.
4Speed
If centralized electromagnetic induction heating is used to heat the biomass conversion zone, then rapid heating and enhanced cleavage of biomass molecules can be achieved, but the system requires additional electromagnetic heating equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical heating systems with electromagnetic induction heating. This substitution enables rapid and uniform heating of the biomass conversion zone, enhancing the cleavage of biomass molecules into simple sugars and aromatic compounds. The electromagnetic heating system achieves the required temperature quickly, resolving the contradiction between speed and device complexity.
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 enables efficient conversion of biomass into fermentable sugars and aromatic compounds, facilitating the production of 'cellulo-ethanol' and 'ligno-diesel' on a commercial scale by rapidly hydrolyzing cellulose and hemicellulose, overcoming the limitations of conventional methods.
Implementation Method 1
an electromagnetic induction heating system in an operative relationship with the biomass conversion zone... the induction coil, when energized, passes an alternating electrical current that simultaneously generates a transverse alternating magnetic field—a transverse alternating magnetic field that induces eddy currents and heating within the metallic housing
Implementation Method 2
a transverse alternating magnetic field that induces eddy currents and heating within the metallic housing that surrounds the biomass conversion zone
Implementation Method 3
utilizing a mixture of biomass, water, and electrically conductive particles inductively heated by an alternating magnetic field
Implementation Method 4
cellulose may be rapidly hydrolyzed in supercritical water to yield glucose (in high yield)... The use of supercritical fluid biomass conversion systems with centralized electromagnetic induction heating, which generates a transverse alternating magnetic field to enhance the rapid cleavage and depolymerization of biomass molecules into fermentable sugars
Implementation Method 5
the main polyphenolic components into one or more simple aromatic compounds... enhance the rapid cleavage and depolymerization of biomass molecules into fermentable sugars and aromatic compounds
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are supercritical fluid biomass conversion machines, systems, and methods for converting a wide range of biomass materials into a plurality of reaction products including fermentable sugars and various aromatic substances. In one embodiment, a method is disclosed that comprises the steps of: providing an extruder; conveying a mixture of the selected biomass material and water through the extruder and into a supercritical fluid biomass conversion zone; heating and further pressurizing the mixture within the supercritical fluid biomass conversion zone to yield at least supercritical water, wherein heat energy is supplied by means of an induction heating coil positioned circumferentially about the supercritical fluid biomass conversion zone; retaining the mixture within the supercritical fluid biomass conversion zone for a period of time sufficient to yield the plurality of reaction products; and separating the plurality of reaction products into at least a water soluble fraction and an organic solvent soluble fraction.