Torrefied Biomass Briquettes In-Situ Lignin Binding
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Torrefied biomass lacks binding ability, making densification into briquettes challenging, requiring external binders that increase production costs, and affecting hydrophobicity, durability, and transportability.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a mixture of highly-torrefied material (HTM) and lightly-torrefied material (LTM) with lignin-based in-situ binding, eliminating the need for external binders, by adjusting moisture content and preheating before compression, to create durable and hydrophobic torrefied biomass briquettes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If torrefied biomass is used for densification, then energy density is improved, but binding ability deteriorates requiring external binders
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses lightly torrefied biomass material as a self-binding agent that contains residual lignin and hemicellulose to bind highly torrefied biomass particles together during densification, eliminating the need for external binders while maintaining high energy density
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material system combining lightly torrefied biomass (providing binding properties) with highly torrefied biomass (providing energy density), where the two components work together to achieve both binding ability and high energy content in the final briquette product
2Ease of manufacture
If external binders are used to improve binding ability, then densification is improved, but production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates external binders by using the biomass material itself (lightly torrefied portions) to provide binding functionality, thereby reducing production costs while achieving effective densification of the fuel particles into briquettes
3Object-affected harmful factors
If biomass is used as fuel alternative, then environmental impact is improved, but hydrophobicity deteriorates affecting storage and transport
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies torrefaction treatment to biomass at controlled temperatures (150-300°C) to chemically modify the biomass structure, reducing oxygen-containing functional groups and increasing hydrophobicity, which improves storage and transport reliability while maintaining the environmental benefits of biomass as a renewable fuel
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 method produces briquettes with enhanced density, durability, and hydrophobicity, reducing production costs and improving the economic viability of torrefied biomass as a coal alternative, with calorific values between 8,000 BTU/lb to 10,000 BTU/lb.
Implementation Method 1
lignin-based in-situ binding
Implementation Method 2
preheating before compression
Implementation Method 3
compression
Implementation Method 4
hydrolysis pretreatment
Data Source
AI summary
The presently disclosed subject matter relates to torrefied biomass briquettes and methods for producing the same that make use of a mixture of lightly torrefied material (LTM) and highly torrefied material (HTM) and/or make use of torrefied materials that are subjected to a hydrolysis pretreatment prior to being torrefied.