Binder-Free Torrefied Biomass Compaction via Thermal Curing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Torrefied biomass is brittle and prone to disintegration under mechanical forces and high water uptake, making it unsuitable as a coal substitute without the use of extrinsic binder additives, which introduces environmental issues.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for compacting torrefied biomass without extrinsic binders, involving milling, sieving, conditioning, and curing to achieve high density and reduced water absorption, using a compaction device with controlled temperature and compression ratios, and a post-compaction curing process to enhance mechanical stability and water resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of stationary object
If torrefied biomass is compacted to increase bulk density, then storage and transportation efficiency is improved, but the biomass becomes more fragile and disintegrates under mechanical forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by controlling moisture content (5-15%) and temperature (80-140°C) during compaction to alter the physical state of biomass components, enabling densification while maintaining structural integrity through thermal softening of lignin
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses moisture as an intermediary substance that facilitates bonding between biomass particles during compaction, acting as a natural binder that enables density increase without extrinsic binders while maintaining mechanical stability
2Object-generated harmful factors
If torrefied biomass is compacted without extrinsic binder additives, then environmental issues are avoided, but the compacted biomass exhibits high water uptake and disintegration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by utilizing the biomass's own moisture content (5-15%) and natural components (lignin, hemicellulose) as binding agents during compaction, eliminating the need for extrinsic binders while achieving water-resistant compacted fuel through self-bonding mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the moisture content parameter to an optimal range (5-15%) that enables natural bonding without excessive water uptake, and controls temperature (80-140°C) to activate binding mechanisms while maintaining water resistance
3Strength
If the brittleness of torrefied biomass is addressed through binder additives, then mechanical stability is improved, but additional environmental issues are introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates extrinsic binders by enabling the biomass to bind itself through controlled moisture content (5-15%) and temperature (80-140°C) during compaction, using natural components like lignin and hemicellulose as self-binding agents to achieve mechanical stability without environmental harm
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses moisture as a natural intermediary that facilitates bonding between biomass particles during compaction, replacing extrinsic binder additives with water as the binding medium that achieves mechanical stability without introducing environmental issues
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 resulting compacted torrefied biomass exhibits increased density, mechanical stability, and low water uptake, similar to sub-bituminous coal, making it suitable for use as a commercial fuel source without environmental concerns from binder additives.
Implementation Method 1
compacting the conditioned torrefied biomass in a compaction device without an extrinsic binder additive
Implementation Method 2
The inlet can be configured to have a temperature of from about 80° C. to about 140° C. The outlet can be configured to have a temperature of from about 120° C. to about 140° C.
Implementation Method 3
curing the compacted torrefied biomass in a post-compaction device to produce the compacted torrefied biomass having an average mass density of at least about 1.1 g/cm3 to about 1.3 g/cm3
Implementation Method 4
curing the compacted torrefied biomass... to enhance mechanical stability and water resistance
Implementation Method 5
Torrefaction is a process whereby cellulosic biomass is heated in a diminished oxygen environment at temperatures of from 240° C. to 300° C. resulting in water loss and causing volatile organic compounds to evaporate from the biomass
Implementation Method 6
resulting in water loss and causing volatile organic compounds to evaporate from the biomass
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a binder-free product and process for making the product. The product is a mechanically stable, water resistant torrefied biomass product that does not comprise an extrinsic binder additive. The product is made using a combination of appropriate pre-treatment steps and compressing the conditioned biomass feedstock into a thermally managed compaction device comprising at least one modified die. The modified die allows for differential cooling/heating modifications so as to control the temperature near the entrance to the compaction device and passing the formed torrefied biomass into a post-formation curing zone.