CA3002039A1 - Removal of dissolved carbohydrates from a sulfuric acid solution - Google Patents
Removal of dissolved carbohydrates from a sulfuric acid solution Download PDFInfo
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- CA3002039A1 CA3002039A1 CA3002039A CA3002039A CA3002039A1 CA 3002039 A1 CA3002039 A1 CA 3002039A1 CA 3002039 A CA3002039 A CA 3002039A CA 3002039 A CA3002039 A CA 3002039A CA 3002039 A1 CA3002039 A1 CA 3002039A1
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- QAOWNCQODCNURD-UHFFFAOYSA-N Sulfuric acid Chemical compound OS(O)(=O)=O QAOWNCQODCNURD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 title claims abstract description 143
- 150000001720 carbohydrates Chemical class 0.000 title claims abstract description 18
- 235000014633 carbohydrates Nutrition 0.000 title claims abstract description 18
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 63
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 26
- 235000000346 sugar Nutrition 0.000 claims abstract description 25
- 150000008163 sugars Chemical class 0.000 claims abstract description 20
- OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon Chemical compound [C] OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 26
- 238000001704 evaporation Methods 0.000 claims description 6
- 230000008020 evaporation Effects 0.000 claims description 6
- 238000001914 filtration Methods 0.000 claims description 6
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 claims description 6
- 238000001728 nano-filtration Methods 0.000 claims description 5
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 5
- 239000011347 resin Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 229920005989 resin Polymers 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000009834 vaporization Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 230000008016 vaporization Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000012141 concentrate Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000007669 thermal treatment Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000005119 centrifugation Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000002253 acid Substances 0.000 abstract description 49
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 abstract description 24
- 229920002678 cellulose Polymers 0.000 abstract description 3
- 239000001913 cellulose Substances 0.000 abstract description 3
- 239000000243 solution Substances 0.000 description 35
- 238000012360 testing method Methods 0.000 description 16
- 238000003763 carbonization Methods 0.000 description 15
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 description 8
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 description 6
- 239000000706 filtrate Substances 0.000 description 5
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 5
- 239000000047 product Substances 0.000 description 5
- 238000000862 absorption spectrum Methods 0.000 description 4
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 4
- 238000004587 chromatography analysis Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000005342 ion exchange Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000000523 sample Substances 0.000 description 3
- 150000007513 acids Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- 229910052799 carbon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 238000010960 commercial process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 150000001875 compounds Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- 238000007796 conventional method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000018044 dehydration Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000006297 dehydration reaction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000010790 dilution Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000012895 dilution Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000012527 feed solution Substances 0.000 description 2
- HYBBIBNJHNGZAN-UHFFFAOYSA-N furfural Chemical compound O=CC1=CC=CO1 HYBBIBNJHNGZAN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 239000011521 glass Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000011534 incubation Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000011068 loading method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000007935 neutral effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000000746 purification Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000011343 solid material Substances 0.000 description 2
- NWUYHJFMYQTDRP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 1,2-bis(ethenyl)benzene;1-ethenyl-2-ethylbenzene;styrene Chemical compound C=CC1=CC=CC=C1.CCC1=CC=CC=C1C=C.C=CC1=CC=CC=C1C=C NWUYHJFMYQTDRP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 101100313763 Arabidopsis thaliana TIM22-2 gene Proteins 0.000 description 1
- WQZGKKKJIJFFOK-GASJEMHNSA-N Glucose Natural products OC[C@H]1OC(O)[C@H](O)[C@@H](O)[C@@H]1O WQZGKKKJIJFFOK-GASJEMHNSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229920002488 Hemicellulose Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920001410 Microfiber Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 238000010793 Steam injection (oil industry) Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010521 absorption reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000003463 adsorbent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000004075 alteration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007423 decrease Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000007857 degradation product Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000013461 design Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005187 foaming Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000003365 glass fiber Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000008103 glucose Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000413 hydrolysate Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000007062 hydrolysis Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000006460 hydrolysis reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000013101 initial test Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000010354 integration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000003456 ion exchange resin Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920003303 ion-exchange polymer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- CSJDCSCTVDEHRN-UHFFFAOYSA-N methane;molecular oxygen Chemical compound C.O=O CSJDCSCTVDEHRN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000003658 microfiber Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000178 monomer Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000006116 polymerization reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002244 precipitate Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000002203 pretreatment Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000009467 reduction Effects 0.000 description 1
- 235000011149 sulphuric acid Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 238000011144 upstream manufacturing Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C01—INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
- C01B—NON-METALLIC ELEMENTS; COMPOUNDS THEREOF; METALLOIDS OR COMPOUNDS THEREOF NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASS C01C
- C01B17/00—Sulfur; Compounds thereof
- C01B17/69—Sulfur trioxide; Sulfuric acid
- C01B17/90—Separation; Purification
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01D—SEPARATION
- B01D1/00—Evaporating
- B01D1/0011—Heating features
- B01D1/0041—Use of fluids
- B01D1/0052—Use of a liquid transfer medium or intermediate fluid, e.g. bain-marie
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01D—SEPARATION
- B01D61/00—Processes of separation using semi-permeable membranes, e.g. dialysis, osmosis or ultrafiltration; Apparatus, accessories or auxiliary operations specially adapted therefor
- B01D61/02—Reverse osmosis; Hyperfiltration ; Nanofiltration
- B01D61/027—Nanofiltration
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C01—INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
- C01B—NON-METALLIC ELEMENTS; COMPOUNDS THEREOF; METALLOIDS OR COMPOUNDS THEREOF NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASS C01C
- C01B17/00—Sulfur; Compounds thereof
- C01B17/69—Sulfur trioxide; Sulfuric acid
Abstract
A method of removing dissolved carbohydrates from a sulfuric acid solution, in particular a sulfuric acid solution with dissolved sugars from a process for making cellulose nano crystallites (CNC), so that the acid solution can be recycled for use in the CNC process or other applications. The sulfuric acid solution is held at an elevated temperature to carbonize the carbohydrates and form a carbonized solid, and the carbonized solid is then removed from the sulfuric acid solution. Optionally, the method includes the steps of increasing the concentration of the sulfuric acid solution, and exposing the purified sulfuric acid solution to a colour removal treatment.
Description
Removal of Dissolved Carbohydrates from a Sulfuric Acid Solution Field of the Invention This invention pertains to processes for removing dissolved carbohydrates from sulfuric acid solutions.
Background of the Invention Sulfuric acid is used in many industrial applications, including the production of cellulose nano crystallites (CNC). In this process the sulfuric acid becomes diluted but is not consumed to any significant degree. It is desirable to re-concentrate the acid to the original inlet concentration such that the acid can be re-used in the CNC reactor. This is accomplished by feeding the spent acid to a sulfuric acid re-concentrator (SARC) unit.
However, the spent sulfuric acid contains dissolved carbohydrates formed from the hydrolysis of the cellulose. These carbohydrates are mainly sugar monomers and oligomers (primarily glucose (C6H1206), but also others from the residual hemicellulose fraction) and some degradation products such as furfural (C5H402). These carbohydrates must be substantially removed from the acid for it to be re-used in CNC
production and many other applications.
Additionally, in the presence of a strong acid, such as sulfuric acid, residual carbohydrates may also undergo a number of complex dehydration and polymerization reactions to form larger species, which may precipitate and are often coloured.
The dehydration of the sugar molecules is known as carbonization and is dependent on the temperature for a given sulfuric acid concentration. In general, as the acid concentration increases, the temperature required for the reaction to occur decreases.
Carbonization leads to darkening of the product acid, causing product colour and quality issues for the CNC. If this happens within the sulfuric acid re-concentrator unit it can also cause undesirable fouling of heat exchanger surface area and foaming.
There are several conventional and commercially available techniques for the separation of neutral sugars from acids. These include nano-filtration, ion exchange and
Background of the Invention Sulfuric acid is used in many industrial applications, including the production of cellulose nano crystallites (CNC). In this process the sulfuric acid becomes diluted but is not consumed to any significant degree. It is desirable to re-concentrate the acid to the original inlet concentration such that the acid can be re-used in the CNC reactor. This is accomplished by feeding the spent acid to a sulfuric acid re-concentrator (SARC) unit.
However, the spent sulfuric acid contains dissolved carbohydrates formed from the hydrolysis of the cellulose. These carbohydrates are mainly sugar monomers and oligomers (primarily glucose (C6H1206), but also others from the residual hemicellulose fraction) and some degradation products such as furfural (C5H402). These carbohydrates must be substantially removed from the acid for it to be re-used in CNC
production and many other applications.
Additionally, in the presence of a strong acid, such as sulfuric acid, residual carbohydrates may also undergo a number of complex dehydration and polymerization reactions to form larger species, which may precipitate and are often coloured.
The dehydration of the sugar molecules is known as carbonization and is dependent on the temperature for a given sulfuric acid concentration. In general, as the acid concentration increases, the temperature required for the reaction to occur decreases.
Carbonization leads to darkening of the product acid, causing product colour and quality issues for the CNC. If this happens within the sulfuric acid re-concentrator unit it can also cause undesirable fouling of heat exchanger surface area and foaming.
There are several conventional and commercially available techniques for the separation of neutral sugars from acids. These include nano-filtration, ion exchange and
2 chromatography. However, these involve disadvantages such as high capital cost and production of a concentrated sugar stream, still containing significant levels of acid, which must be dealt with at considerable additional cost. These conventional techniques also often involve dilution of the acid and/or sugar stream, requiring later removal of the water through additional evaporation.
Summary of the Invention The invention provides an improved method of removing dissolved carbohydrates from a sulfuric acid solution, in particular a sulfuric acid solution with dissolved sugars from a process for making CNC, so that the acid solution can be recycled for use in the CNC
process or other applications.
According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of removing dissolved carbohydrates from a sulfuric acid solution, comprising the steps of holding the sulfuric acid solution at an elevated temperature to carbonize the carbohydrates and form a carbonized solid, and removing the carbonized solid from the sulfuric acid solution.
According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of removing dissolved carbohydrates from a sulfuric acid solution, comprising the steps of increasing the concentration of the sulfuric acid solution, holding the sulfuric acid solution at an elevated temperature to carbonize the carbohydrates and form a carbonized solid, removing the carbonized solid from the sulfuric acid solution to produce a purified sulfuric acid solution, and exposing the purified sulfuric acid solution to a colour removal treatment to remove colour from the sulfuric acid solution.
Further aspects of the invention and features of specific embodiments are described below.
Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram of the purification process according to one embodiment of the invention.
Figure 2 is a graph showing the absorbance spectra of sulfuric acid solutions treated with various colour removal materials.
Summary of the Invention The invention provides an improved method of removing dissolved carbohydrates from a sulfuric acid solution, in particular a sulfuric acid solution with dissolved sugars from a process for making CNC, so that the acid solution can be recycled for use in the CNC
process or other applications.
According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of removing dissolved carbohydrates from a sulfuric acid solution, comprising the steps of holding the sulfuric acid solution at an elevated temperature to carbonize the carbohydrates and form a carbonized solid, and removing the carbonized solid from the sulfuric acid solution.
According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of removing dissolved carbohydrates from a sulfuric acid solution, comprising the steps of increasing the concentration of the sulfuric acid solution, holding the sulfuric acid solution at an elevated temperature to carbonize the carbohydrates and form a carbonized solid, removing the carbonized solid from the sulfuric acid solution to produce a purified sulfuric acid solution, and exposing the purified sulfuric acid solution to a colour removal treatment to remove colour from the sulfuric acid solution.
Further aspects of the invention and features of specific embodiments are described below.
Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram of the purification process according to one embodiment of the invention.
Figure 2 is a graph showing the absorbance spectra of sulfuric acid solutions treated with various colour removal materials.
3 Figure 3 is a graph showing the absorbance spectra of a sulfuric acid solution treated with colour removal material in accordance with Example 3.
Detailed Description In one embodiment, the process of the invention starts with a sulfuric acid solution with dissolved sugars, resulting from a process for the production of CNC. The acid solution has become diluted during the CNC process and accordingly has a concentration lower than that of fresh acid solution for use in the CNC process. For example, the acid solution may have become diluted from about 60-65 wt.% down to about 15-25 wt.%.
Acid Concentration As an optional step in the process, the sulfuric acid solution with dissolved sugars can be concentrated prior to further treatment steps, to increase the concentration of the solution to a concentration suitable for use in the process for producing CNC. This is done by evaporation, using a single effect or multi-effect evaporator.
To avoid undesirable carbonization in the concentrator itself we have found that it is preferable to minimize the coincident temperature/concentration as well as the exposure time. This can be done in a single effect operating at deep vacuum. However, at higher capacities it is often desirable to improve steam economy, so a multiple-effect evaporator can be configured which avoids the problematic higher concentration and temperature combinations by using either a fully, or partially, feed and steam forward arrangement. The sulfuric acid solution and steam are fed into the first vaporization unit, and the sulfuric acid solution is processed through the series of vaporization units to concentrate the sulfuric acid solution by evaporation of water. Undesirable carbonization is avoided by reducing the pressure and thus evaporation temperature of the more concentrated acid.
Carbonization Although carbonization is undesirable during evaporation we have found that it can be used positively at the desired point in the carbohydrate-removal process. The sulfuric acid solution with dissolved sugars (whether re-concentrated or not), is thermally treated, i.e., heated and held at the elevated temperature for a residence time sufficient to carbonize the
Detailed Description In one embodiment, the process of the invention starts with a sulfuric acid solution with dissolved sugars, resulting from a process for the production of CNC. The acid solution has become diluted during the CNC process and accordingly has a concentration lower than that of fresh acid solution for use in the CNC process. For example, the acid solution may have become diluted from about 60-65 wt.% down to about 15-25 wt.%.
Acid Concentration As an optional step in the process, the sulfuric acid solution with dissolved sugars can be concentrated prior to further treatment steps, to increase the concentration of the solution to a concentration suitable for use in the process for producing CNC. This is done by evaporation, using a single effect or multi-effect evaporator.
To avoid undesirable carbonization in the concentrator itself we have found that it is preferable to minimize the coincident temperature/concentration as well as the exposure time. This can be done in a single effect operating at deep vacuum. However, at higher capacities it is often desirable to improve steam economy, so a multiple-effect evaporator can be configured which avoids the problematic higher concentration and temperature combinations by using either a fully, or partially, feed and steam forward arrangement. The sulfuric acid solution and steam are fed into the first vaporization unit, and the sulfuric acid solution is processed through the series of vaporization units to concentrate the sulfuric acid solution by evaporation of water. Undesirable carbonization is avoided by reducing the pressure and thus evaporation temperature of the more concentrated acid.
Carbonization Although carbonization is undesirable during evaporation we have found that it can be used positively at the desired point in the carbohydrate-removal process. The sulfuric acid solution with dissolved sugars (whether re-concentrated or not), is thermally treated, i.e., heated and held at the elevated temperature for a residence time sufficient to carbonize the
4 =
bulk of the sugars to create a carbonized solid material. Direct steam injection, concentrated product recycle and/or careful design of the heating system is required to avoid fouling of exchanger surfaces due to carbonization.
Greater removal of sugars during the carbonization step occurs at higher acid concentrations and at higher temperatures. The acid concentration may be greater than 50 wt.%, and preferably in the range of 55-65 wt.%, for best integration back into the CNC
process. The temperature to which the acid solution is heated may be at least 80 C, alternatively at least 100 C, or at least 120 C, or at least 150 C. The residence time during which the acid solution is held at an elevated temperature is at least 1 hour, alternatively at least 4 hours, alternatively at least 5 hours, or at least 6 hours.
The carbonization step can be done before, during or after the optional concentration step depending on the starting concentration. The carbonized solid material is then removed by conventional solid/liquid separation techniques such as filtration, centrifugation or settling, leaving a purified acid solution.
The carbonized solids may be washed and safely disposed of or burned to recover energy and thus offset the operating costs of the process.
Colour Removal Residual coloured compounds may have an effect on the whiteness of the CNC
product when the purified acid solution is recycled for use in the CNC process, and accordingly their removal from the acid solution is often desirable. As an optional step following thermal treatment and filtration, the purified acid solution is treated with a colour removal method, such as granular activated carbon, resin and/or nano-filtration, etc., to remove colour compounds formed in the carbonization process.
In some embodiments of the invention, the process also includes the application of one or more conventional techniques for the separation of neutral sugars from acids.
These include nano-filtration, ion exchange and chromatography. Nano-filtration would typically be employed at the incoming, dilute, acid concentration while ion exchange and chromatography would typically be employed after some acid concentration;
however, all = 5 = three would normally require further acid concentration afterwards due to low incoming concentration and/or additional dilution that occurs during purification. The carbonization technique could also be used as a pre-treatment method upstream of any of these techniques to provide bulk sugar removal.
The Embodiment of Figure 1 An embodiment of the process for the removal of dissolved sugars is schematically illustrated in Figure 1, in which the process includes the steps of acid concentration, carbonization and colour removal. In the process 10, a sulfuric acid re-concentrator 12 has a sulfuric acid feed 14, received from a CNC process. The output from the sulfuric acid re-concentrator 12 is a concentrated acid stream 16 and a condensate (water) stream 18. The concentrated acid stream 16 is heated and fed to carbonization unit 20, in which the acid is held for a suitable residence time at elevated temperature. The carbonized acid stream 22 is then optionally cooled 24 (as indicated by broken lines in Figure 1), and subsequently clarified by removal of the solids filtered in the solid/liquid separation unit 26. The isolated carbonized solids 28 from the solid/liquid separation unit 26 are sent for disposal or incineration 30. The suspended solids-free acid product stream 32 from the solid/liquid separation unit 26 is, optionally, pumped to a colour removal unit 34. The colour removal unit 34 comprises, for example, activated carbon beds, fed by an activated carbon stream 36. The colour removal unit 34 produces a purified acid stream 38 which is recycled to the CNC reactor or other application. Spent activated carbon 40 from the colour removal unit 34 is sent for disposal or incineration 42, or alternatively, is regenerated.
In an exemplary embodiment of the process 10, the acid feed 14 is centrifuge centrate comprising 25.6 wt.% sulfuric acid and 2 wt.% sugars. The concentrated acid stream 16 from the sulfuric acid reconcentrator 12 comprises 54.9 wt.% sulfuric acid and 4.3 wt.%
sugars. The carbonization unit 20 holds the heated acid at about 150 C for 5 hours. The filtrate stream 32 from the filtration unit 26 comprises 56.2 wt.% sulfuric acid and 2.0 wt.%
sugars. The carbonized solids 28 comprise 20 wt.% acid and have a dry LHV of BTU/lb. The colour removal unit 34 operates at 45 C. The purified acid stream comprises 56.6 wt.% sulfuric acid and 1.3 wt.% sugars. The spent activated carbon stream comprises 20 wt.% acid.
Examples Example 1 Samples of sulfuric acid solution with dissolved sugars from a CNC process were subjected to thermal treatment to carbonize the sugars. The tests were conducted at a range of acid concentrations from 10.6 to 60.4 wt.%, temperatures from 80 to 160 C, and durations from 0.5 to 18 hours.
Tests 1-7 A glass pressure tube was charged with the feed solution and immersed in a temperature-controlled oil bath. The solutions were heated to the target temperatures and incubated until blackening occurred, or for a desired length of time. For the initial tests the temperature was maintained for 1 hour incubations at increasingly higher target temperatures until darkening of the feed was observed. Later tests were held for longer incubation periods.
The material was then cooled to ambient temperature and filtered through a 1.5 urn pore-size glass microfiber filter to remove dark solids. The solids were rinsed with deionized (Dl) water and dried in a 105 C oven.
Test 8 The feed solution was heated in three segments of 6 hours. After each heating period the sample was cooled, filtered, and a sample of the filtrate was extracted to be tested for carbon oxygen demand (COD). A clean pressure tube was then charged with the remaining filtrate and heating was continued.
Test 9 The concentrated acid was heated in a 1L round bottom flask using a temperature controlled oil bath. The flask was equipped with a condenser and the system was open to atmosphere. The acid was heated to 150 C for 6 hours one day and 7 hours the following day. Black solids were removed by filtration using a 1.5 um pore-size glass-fibre filter.
The conditions and results of the nine tests are summarized in Table 1.
= Table 1 Carbonization Conditions H2SO4 COD removed Test # (wt %) Temperature Duration (0/0) .
( C) (hrs) 1 10.6 120 1 4.9%
2 28.4 11.9%
80 0.5 3 20.8 120 1 14.6%
4 52.0 26.6%
55.3 120 4 51.1%
6 55.3 120 5 60.6%
7 60.4 150 12 72.7%
8.1 160 6 35.2%
8.2 20.8 160 6 -16.4%
8.3 160 6 2.2%
8 total 20.8 160 18 26.3%
54.6%
9 57.23 150 13 (69.4% after activated carbon treatment) The tests show that greater removal of sugars (as COD) occurred at higher acid concentrations and temperatures. COD removal was greatly increased at acid
bulk of the sugars to create a carbonized solid material. Direct steam injection, concentrated product recycle and/or careful design of the heating system is required to avoid fouling of exchanger surfaces due to carbonization.
Greater removal of sugars during the carbonization step occurs at higher acid concentrations and at higher temperatures. The acid concentration may be greater than 50 wt.%, and preferably in the range of 55-65 wt.%, for best integration back into the CNC
process. The temperature to which the acid solution is heated may be at least 80 C, alternatively at least 100 C, or at least 120 C, or at least 150 C. The residence time during which the acid solution is held at an elevated temperature is at least 1 hour, alternatively at least 4 hours, alternatively at least 5 hours, or at least 6 hours.
The carbonization step can be done before, during or after the optional concentration step depending on the starting concentration. The carbonized solid material is then removed by conventional solid/liquid separation techniques such as filtration, centrifugation or settling, leaving a purified acid solution.
The carbonized solids may be washed and safely disposed of or burned to recover energy and thus offset the operating costs of the process.
Colour Removal Residual coloured compounds may have an effect on the whiteness of the CNC
product when the purified acid solution is recycled for use in the CNC process, and accordingly their removal from the acid solution is often desirable. As an optional step following thermal treatment and filtration, the purified acid solution is treated with a colour removal method, such as granular activated carbon, resin and/or nano-filtration, etc., to remove colour compounds formed in the carbonization process.
In some embodiments of the invention, the process also includes the application of one or more conventional techniques for the separation of neutral sugars from acids.
These include nano-filtration, ion exchange and chromatography. Nano-filtration would typically be employed at the incoming, dilute, acid concentration while ion exchange and chromatography would typically be employed after some acid concentration;
however, all = 5 = three would normally require further acid concentration afterwards due to low incoming concentration and/or additional dilution that occurs during purification. The carbonization technique could also be used as a pre-treatment method upstream of any of these techniques to provide bulk sugar removal.
The Embodiment of Figure 1 An embodiment of the process for the removal of dissolved sugars is schematically illustrated in Figure 1, in which the process includes the steps of acid concentration, carbonization and colour removal. In the process 10, a sulfuric acid re-concentrator 12 has a sulfuric acid feed 14, received from a CNC process. The output from the sulfuric acid re-concentrator 12 is a concentrated acid stream 16 and a condensate (water) stream 18. The concentrated acid stream 16 is heated and fed to carbonization unit 20, in which the acid is held for a suitable residence time at elevated temperature. The carbonized acid stream 22 is then optionally cooled 24 (as indicated by broken lines in Figure 1), and subsequently clarified by removal of the solids filtered in the solid/liquid separation unit 26. The isolated carbonized solids 28 from the solid/liquid separation unit 26 are sent for disposal or incineration 30. The suspended solids-free acid product stream 32 from the solid/liquid separation unit 26 is, optionally, pumped to a colour removal unit 34. The colour removal unit 34 comprises, for example, activated carbon beds, fed by an activated carbon stream 36. The colour removal unit 34 produces a purified acid stream 38 which is recycled to the CNC reactor or other application. Spent activated carbon 40 from the colour removal unit 34 is sent for disposal or incineration 42, or alternatively, is regenerated.
In an exemplary embodiment of the process 10, the acid feed 14 is centrifuge centrate comprising 25.6 wt.% sulfuric acid and 2 wt.% sugars. The concentrated acid stream 16 from the sulfuric acid reconcentrator 12 comprises 54.9 wt.% sulfuric acid and 4.3 wt.%
sugars. The carbonization unit 20 holds the heated acid at about 150 C for 5 hours. The filtrate stream 32 from the filtration unit 26 comprises 56.2 wt.% sulfuric acid and 2.0 wt.%
sugars. The carbonized solids 28 comprise 20 wt.% acid and have a dry LHV of BTU/lb. The colour removal unit 34 operates at 45 C. The purified acid stream comprises 56.6 wt.% sulfuric acid and 1.3 wt.% sugars. The spent activated carbon stream comprises 20 wt.% acid.
Examples Example 1 Samples of sulfuric acid solution with dissolved sugars from a CNC process were subjected to thermal treatment to carbonize the sugars. The tests were conducted at a range of acid concentrations from 10.6 to 60.4 wt.%, temperatures from 80 to 160 C, and durations from 0.5 to 18 hours.
Tests 1-7 A glass pressure tube was charged with the feed solution and immersed in a temperature-controlled oil bath. The solutions were heated to the target temperatures and incubated until blackening occurred, or for a desired length of time. For the initial tests the temperature was maintained for 1 hour incubations at increasingly higher target temperatures until darkening of the feed was observed. Later tests were held for longer incubation periods.
The material was then cooled to ambient temperature and filtered through a 1.5 urn pore-size glass microfiber filter to remove dark solids. The solids were rinsed with deionized (Dl) water and dried in a 105 C oven.
Test 8 The feed solution was heated in three segments of 6 hours. After each heating period the sample was cooled, filtered, and a sample of the filtrate was extracted to be tested for carbon oxygen demand (COD). A clean pressure tube was then charged with the remaining filtrate and heating was continued.
Test 9 The concentrated acid was heated in a 1L round bottom flask using a temperature controlled oil bath. The flask was equipped with a condenser and the system was open to atmosphere. The acid was heated to 150 C for 6 hours one day and 7 hours the following day. Black solids were removed by filtration using a 1.5 um pore-size glass-fibre filter.
The conditions and results of the nine tests are summarized in Table 1.
= Table 1 Carbonization Conditions H2SO4 COD removed Test # (wt %) Temperature Duration (0/0) .
( C) (hrs) 1 10.6 120 1 4.9%
2 28.4 11.9%
80 0.5 3 20.8 120 1 14.6%
4 52.0 26.6%
55.3 120 4 51.1%
6 55.3 120 5 60.6%
7 60.4 150 12 72.7%
8.1 160 6 35.2%
8.2 20.8 160 6 -16.4%
8.3 160 6 2.2%
8 total 20.8 160 18 26.3%
54.6%
9 57.23 150 13 (69.4% after activated carbon treatment) The tests show that greater removal of sugars (as COD) occurred at higher acid concentrations and temperatures. COD removal was greatly increased at acid
5 concentrations above 50 wt.%, as seen in Tests 4 & 5.
COD was still being removed after 4 hours of heating, as shown by Tests 5 and
COD was still being removed after 4 hours of heating, as shown by Tests 5 and
6. The bulk COD was removed in the first six hours of heating, as shown in Test 8, whereas further heating (Tests 8.2 and 8.3) showed no appreciable additional removal.
Example 2 Tests were conducted using filtrate from Test 9 of Example 1 to determine the effectiveness of colour removal of several commercially available absorption media, including granular activated carbon (GAC), ion exchange resin and adsorbent resins. The results are set out in Table 2.
Table 2 Dosage Dosage Colour of Sample Material (g/mL) (wt%) Treated acid 1 HYDRODARCO 3000 40.2 2.73 Yellow/brown 2 SEPABEADS SP850 40.8 2.79 Dark brown 3 SEPABEADS SP825L 40.1 2.75 Light brown 4 DIAION HP20 39.7 2.70 Light brown 5 DIAION HP2MGL 39.9 2.75 Dark brown 6 DIAION HP21 40.3 2.75 Brown HYDRODARCO is a trademark of Cabot Corporation. SEPABEADS and DIAION are trademarks of Sigma-Aldrich Co.
The absorbance spectra of samples 1 to 6 are shown in Figure 2. It was concluded that the Cabot HYDRODARCO 3000 granulated activated carbon was most effective at removing the colour from the concentrated acid.
Activated carbon loading of about 40 g/L is higher than what would be expected in an commercial process. This is due to the fact that the lab testing was performed as a single stirred batch, whereas a continuous commercial process would be carried out in a multi-stage packed column. The staging benefit of using a column would provide at least an order of magnitude reduction in required loading.
Example 3 A 498.5g batch of hydrolysate containing 57 wt.% H2504 was prepared, heated to 160 C and held at temperature for a total of 13 hours. COD was reduced by 54.6% after filtration. This material was subjected to two stages of colour removal using Hydrodarco 3000 as indicated in Table 3 below, which reduced the colour of the final material to a pale yellow with an absorbance spectrum as shown in Figure 3.
Table 3 Filtrate Mass 1103000 Dosage Dosage (g) Mass (g/L) (wt%) added (g) Step 1 498.52 17.25 50.62 3.46 Step 2 From 1 above 15.41 45.22 3.09 Final / Total 428.43 32.66 95.84 6.55 The colour removal step further reduced the COD (from 54.6% to 69.4% COD
removed).
Example 4 Samples of the dried carbonized solids from Example 1 were subjected to calorific testing to determine their heating value. The dry Higher and Lower heating values were determined to be 8680 and 8360 BTU/lb respectively.
As will be apparent to those skilled in the art in the light of the foregoing disclosure, many alterations and modifications are possible in the practice of this invention without departing from the scope thereof.
Example 2 Tests were conducted using filtrate from Test 9 of Example 1 to determine the effectiveness of colour removal of several commercially available absorption media, including granular activated carbon (GAC), ion exchange resin and adsorbent resins. The results are set out in Table 2.
Table 2 Dosage Dosage Colour of Sample Material (g/mL) (wt%) Treated acid 1 HYDRODARCO 3000 40.2 2.73 Yellow/brown 2 SEPABEADS SP850 40.8 2.79 Dark brown 3 SEPABEADS SP825L 40.1 2.75 Light brown 4 DIAION HP20 39.7 2.70 Light brown 5 DIAION HP2MGL 39.9 2.75 Dark brown 6 DIAION HP21 40.3 2.75 Brown HYDRODARCO is a trademark of Cabot Corporation. SEPABEADS and DIAION are trademarks of Sigma-Aldrich Co.
The absorbance spectra of samples 1 to 6 are shown in Figure 2. It was concluded that the Cabot HYDRODARCO 3000 granulated activated carbon was most effective at removing the colour from the concentrated acid.
Activated carbon loading of about 40 g/L is higher than what would be expected in an commercial process. This is due to the fact that the lab testing was performed as a single stirred batch, whereas a continuous commercial process would be carried out in a multi-stage packed column. The staging benefit of using a column would provide at least an order of magnitude reduction in required loading.
Example 3 A 498.5g batch of hydrolysate containing 57 wt.% H2504 was prepared, heated to 160 C and held at temperature for a total of 13 hours. COD was reduced by 54.6% after filtration. This material was subjected to two stages of colour removal using Hydrodarco 3000 as indicated in Table 3 below, which reduced the colour of the final material to a pale yellow with an absorbance spectrum as shown in Figure 3.
Table 3 Filtrate Mass 1103000 Dosage Dosage (g) Mass (g/L) (wt%) added (g) Step 1 498.52 17.25 50.62 3.46 Step 2 From 1 above 15.41 45.22 3.09 Final / Total 428.43 32.66 95.84 6.55 The colour removal step further reduced the COD (from 54.6% to 69.4% COD
removed).
Example 4 Samples of the dried carbonized solids from Example 1 were subjected to calorific testing to determine their heating value. The dry Higher and Lower heating values were determined to be 8680 and 8360 BTU/lb respectively.
As will be apparent to those skilled in the art in the light of the foregoing disclosure, many alterations and modifications are possible in the practice of this invention without departing from the scope thereof.
Claims (36)
1. A method of removing dissolved carbohydrates from a sulfuric acid solution, comprising the steps of:
(a) holding the sulfuric acid solution at an elevated temperature to carbonize the carbohydrates and form a carbonized solid; and (b) removing the carbonized solid from the sulfuric acid solution.
(a) holding the sulfuric acid solution at an elevated temperature to carbonize the carbohydrates and form a carbonized solid; and (b) removing the carbonized solid from the sulfuric acid solution.
2. A method according to claim 1, where the sulfuric acid solution is received from a CNC production process.
3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising increasing the concentration of the sulfuric acid solution before step (a).
4. A method according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the concentration of the sulfuric acid solution in step (a) is at least 50 wt.%.
5. A method according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the concentration of the sulfuric acid solution in step (a) is in the range of 55 to 65 wt.%.
6. A method according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein the elevated temperature is a temperature of at least 80°C.
7. A method according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein the elevated temperature is a temperature of at least 100°C.
8. A method according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein the elevated temperature is a temperature of at least 120°C.
9. A method according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein the elevated temperature is a temperature of at least 150°C.
10. A method according to any one of claims 1-9, wherein step (a) is done for a residence time of at least 1 hour.
11. A method according to any one of claims 1-9, wherein step (a) is done for a residence time of at least 4 hours.
12. A method according to any one of claims 1-9, wherein step (a) is done for a residence time of at least 5 hours.
13. A method according to any one of claims 1-9, wherein step (a) is done for a residence time of at least 6 hours.
14. A method according to any one of claims 1-13, further comprising exposing the sulfuric acid solution to a colour removal treatment after step (b) to remove colour from the sulfuric acid solution.
15. A method according to claim 14, wherein the colour removal treatment comprises activated carbon treatment.
16. A method according to claim 14, wherein the colour removal treatment comprises nano-filtration.
17. A method according to claim 14, wherein the colour removal treatment comprises treatment with a resin.
18. A method according to any one of claims 1-17, wherein step (b) is done by filtration.
19. A method according to any one of claims 1-17, wherein step (b) is done by centrifugation.
20. A method according to any one of claims 1-19, wherein the carbohydrates comprise sugars.
21. A method according to claim 3, wherein increasing the concentration of the sulfuric acid solution is done by:
(i) providing a forward feed multiple-effect evaporator;
(ii) feeding the sulfuric acid solution and steam into a first vaporization unit of the multiple-effect evaporator; and (iii) processing the sulfuric acid solution through the other vaporization units of the multiple-effect evaporator to concentrate the sulfuric acid solution by evaporation of water therefrom.
(i) providing a forward feed multiple-effect evaporator;
(ii) feeding the sulfuric acid solution and steam into a first vaporization unit of the multiple-effect evaporator; and (iii) processing the sulfuric acid solution through the other vaporization units of the multiple-effect evaporator to concentrate the sulfuric acid solution by evaporation of water therefrom.
22. A method of removing dissolved sugars from a sulfuric acid solution from a CNC
production process, comprising the steps of:
(a) increasing the concentration of the sulfuric acid solution;
(b) holding the sulfuric acid solution at an elevated temperature to carbonize the carbohydrates and form a carbonized solid;
(c) removing the carbonized solid from the sulfuric acid solution to produce a purified sulfuric acid solution; and (d) exposing the purified sulfuric acid solution to a colour removal treatment to remove colour therefrom.
production process, comprising the steps of:
(a) increasing the concentration of the sulfuric acid solution;
(b) holding the sulfuric acid solution at an elevated temperature to carbonize the carbohydrates and form a carbonized solid;
(c) removing the carbonized solid from the sulfuric acid solution to produce a purified sulfuric acid solution; and (d) exposing the purified sulfuric acid solution to a colour removal treatment to remove colour therefrom.
23. A method according to claim 22, wherein the elevated temperature is a temperature of at least 80°C.
24. A method according to claim 22, wherein the elevated temperature is a temperature of at least 100°C.
25. A method according to claim 22, wherein the elevated temperature is a temperature of at least 120°C.
26. A method according to claim 22, wherein the elevated temperature is a temperature of at least 150°C.
27. A method according to any one of claims 22-26, wherein step (a) is done for a residence time of at least 1 hour.
28. A method according to any one of claims 22-26, wherein step (a) is done for a residence time of at least 4 hours.
29. A method according to any one of claims 22-26, wherein step (a) is done for a residence time of at least 5 hours.
30. A method according to any one of claims 22-26, wherein step (a) is done for a residence time of at least 6 hours.
31. An apparatus for removing dissolved sugars from a sulfuric acid solution, comprising:
(a) means for thermal treatment of the sulfuric acid solution, whereby the sulfuric acid solution is heated and held at an elevated temperature for a residence time to form a carbonized solid; and (b) means for removing the carbonized solid from the sulfuric acid solution.
(a) means for thermal treatment of the sulfuric acid solution, whereby the sulfuric acid solution is heated and held at an elevated temperature for a residence time to form a carbonized solid; and (b) means for removing the carbonized solid from the sulfuric acid solution.
32. An apparatus according to claim 31, wherein the means for removing the carbonized solid comprises one of a filter and a centrifuge.
33. An apparatus according to claim 31 or 32, further comprising means for increasing the concentration of the sulfuric acid solution.
34. An apparatus according to claim 33, wherein the means for increasing the concentration of the sulfuric acid solution comprises a forward feed multiple-effect evaporator.
35. An apparatus according to any one of claims 31-34, further comprising means for removing color from the sulfuric acid solution after removal of the carbonized solid.
36. An apparatus according to claim 35, wherein the means for removing color comprises one of activated carbon, a filter and a resin.
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US201862626570P | 2018-02-05 | 2018-02-05 | |
US62/626,570 | 2018-02-05 |
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CN102344125A (en) * | 2010-08-05 | 2012-02-08 | 钱尉兵 | Technology for concentrating dilute sulfuric acid with multi-effect evaporation |
NZ706072A (en) * | 2013-03-08 | 2018-12-21 | Xyleco Inc | Equipment protecting enclosures |
WO2015179243A1 (en) * | 2014-05-17 | 2015-11-26 | Sweetwater Energy, Inc. | Sugar separation and purification through filtration |
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