Xylan Refining via Solvent Washing and Concentration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for refining xylan from biomass solutions are limited in efficiency and often require additional steps or chemicals that can deteriorate the xylan, particularly at elevated temperatures, and there is a need for more effective approaches to isolate and purify xylan from impurities.
Innovation Solution
The method involves providing a biomass solution, concentrating it to obtain a xylan concentrate, washing the concentrate with specific solvents such as ethylene carbonate or acetone without adding organic acids, and collecting the refined xylan, which can be recycled, using preconditioning techniques like mechanical breakdown and solvent extraction at controlled temperatures to efficiently separate xylan from impurities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional methods are used to refine xylan from biomass solutions, then xylan can be isolated, but the process requires additional steps and chemicals that deteriorate the xylan, particularly at elevated temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts xylan from the biomass solution through a simplified two-step process: (1) concentration of the biomass solution to obtain xylan concentrate, and (2) washing the concentrate with a solvent to obtain refined xylan. This extraction approach eliminates the need for multiple conventional refining steps and harsh chemicals, thereby reducing process complexity while maintaining xylan purity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of the washing step by using specific solvents (such as ethylene carbonate, propylene carbonate, or their mixtures with water) at controlled temperatures. This parameter optimization allows effective impurity removal without requiring additional chemicals or complex processing steps, resolving the contradiction between purity and process complexity.
2Manufacturing precision
If conventional refining methods are used, then xylan can be purified, but chemicals are added that can deteriorate the xylan quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses disposable solvents (ethylene carbonate, propylene carbonate, or their water mixtures) for washing the xylan concentrate. These solvents effectively remove impurities without causing xylan deterioration, and can be easily discarded or recycled after use. This approach replaces harmful conventional chemicals with benign, effective solvents that protect xylan quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an inert washing environment by using solvents like ethylene carbonate and propylene carbonate that do not react with or deteriorate xylan. These solvents provide a chemically inert medium for impurity removal, protecting the xylan from chemical degradation while achieving the desired purity level.
3Quantity of substance
If the biomass solution is concentrated by evaporation, then xylan concentrate is obtained, but energy is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the evaporation parameters by controlling temperature and pressure conditions to achieve efficient water removal with minimal energy input. The concentrated xylan is then processed at lower temperatures in subsequent washing steps, reducing the total energy requirement while still achieving the desired xylan concentration and purity.
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 method effectively isolates refined xylan with reduced impurities, avoids deterioration, and allows for solvent recycling, leading to cost savings and improved xylan yield, making it suitable for various industrial applications.
Implementation Method 1
washing and/or extracting the xylan concentrate with a solvent to obtain refined xylan and a solvent stream comprising the solvent and impurities
Implementation Method 2
adding a buffer to said biomass solution prior to step (i), wherein said buffer comprises a salt of an acid and has a pK a value of 3-7
Implementation Method 3
the biomass solution is concentrated by evaporation at step ii)
Implementation Method 4
the xylan concentrate is washed with one or more solvents at step iii) under heating at a temperature of 30-180°C
Implementation Method 5
the refined xylan is separated by filtration
Implementation Method 6
the refined xylan is collected by centrifugation
Implementation Method 7
the refined xylan is collected by sedimentation
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
Methods for producing refined xylan from a biomass solution, including: (i) providing a biomass solution, which comprises xylan; (ii) concentrating or separating said biomass solution to obtain a xylan concentrate comprising xylan and impurities; (iii) washing and/or extracting the xylan concentrate with a solvent to obtain refined xylan and a solvent stream comprising the solvent and impurities; and (iv) collecting the refined xylan.