CN102066923A

CN102066923A - Micro refinery system for ethanol production

Info

Publication number: CN102066923A
Application number: CN2009801229231A
Authority: CN
Inventors: T·J·奎恩
Original assignee: E-FUEL Ltd
Current assignee: E-FUEL Ltd
Priority date: 2008-04-25
Filing date: 2009-06-21
Publication date: 2011-05-18
Anticipated expiration: 2029-06-21
Also published as: JP2012530485A; WO2009132362A3; WO2009132362A2; EP2281028A2; KR20120010087A; CN102066923B; JP5457431B2

Abstract

A micro refinery system includes a fermentation tank, a distillation tube and a membrane ethanol separation mechanism. A batch that includes sugar, yeast and water is mixed in the fermentation tank. Sensors detect the physical characteristics of the batch and the operating status of the system. The sensors are coupled to a control system that compares the detected processing information to a look up table to determine if the system is operating under optimum ethanol productivity conditions. If the sensors detect a problem with the batch, the control system can add chemical components to the batch to correct the chemical imbalance. The system can also facilitate remote operations by transmitting sensed information to an operator computer and receiving control commands from the operator computer.

Description

The small-sized rectification systems that is used for ethanol preparation

The cross reference of related application

Present patent application requires the U.S. Patent application No.12/110 of submission on April 25th, 2008,242 (" Method For Using Carbon Credits With Micro Refineries (methods that small-sized rectification systems is used with carbon credit) ") and the U.S. Patent application No.12/110 that submitted on April 25th, 2008,158 (right of priority of " Micro Refinery System For Ethanol Production (the small-sized rectification systems that is used for ethanol preparation) ", this paper is all incorporated in these two pieces of patented claims by reference into.

Technical field

Present invention relates in general to be used for remote monitoring small-scale ethanol rectification systems and handle system and method from the data of small-sized rectification systems, wherein said small-scale ethanol rectification systems is converted into ethanol with raw material and/or discarded alcoholic liquor body.

Background technology

Alcohol fermentation relates to such bioprocess, and by this process, sugar (for example) is converted into the ethanol that can be used as the fuel of internal combustion engine.Can utilize starch based or saccharide raw material to prepare ethanol or ethyl alcohol.Adopting large-scale fermentor is ethanol with sugar and yeast conversion.After fermentation, adopt distil process with ethanol and other fluid separation applications.Absolute ethyl alcohol can be mixed with gasoline, be transported to gasoline terminal or dealer then.

The problem of using large scale industry alcohol fermentation equipment is the extensive machinery that preparation needs to produce ethanol in enormous quantities.Ethanol must be mixed with adjuvant then, transfer on the waggon, and be transported to the refuelling station.These large-scale ethanol preparation equipment also need the technician of a large amount of specialized trainings, with operation when working 24 hours every days and monitoring refining treatment process and device.

Needed is the small-sized rectification systems of easier the being used to ethanol for preparing short run, and this system's utilization can remotely and/or automatically be operated and monitor to keep the machinery of optimum effectiveness of performance by unbred individual.

Summary of the invention

The present invention relates to by sugar or contain the small-sized rectification systems that alcoholic beverage prepares ethanol.Small-sized rectification systems links to each other with computer network, and described computer network allows small-sized rectification systems and various computing machine communication.Small-sized rectification systems can also comprise a plurality of sensors that system operation data is provided.Small-sized rectification systems can provide status information, and operates automatically, for example according to storing or required the supplying raw material of wear rate input.This system can monitor the raw material storage situation, and estimation keeps user's ethanol to consume required feed.

Small-sized rectification systems can also provide preparation information by the telecommunications with any supervising entity.This system can also utilize any treatment mechanism to indicate whether to exist any problem.If system need safeguard or keep in repair, then small-sized rectification systems can transmit the signal of the requirement of indication required service.This system can send information to subscriber computer, thereby makes the user can ask service, and perhaps in another embodiment, this system can automatically send services request to ISP.

When in the user location small-sized rectification systems being installed, this system can link to each other with power supply, water source and fluid discharge source.Because system comprises petrolift, therefore it should be installed in the position that enters vehicle easily.Being provided with of small-sized rectification systems need be positioned on the surface level, and it is linked to each other with water source, power supply and discharge of wastewater source.Small-sized rectification systems is operated automatically, and by subscriber computer or system management operation person's computing machine system operation is monitored and controlled.Can and control this system by user interface monitoring, and/or can data be sent to computer network, as the Internet by forwarder.Can operation information and system control information be sent to subscriber computer or system manage ment computer by network then, making can the remote monitoring operational circumstances.

When small-sized rectification systems being installed in user location and user and opening this system, whether system can enter start-up routine, operate suitably to detect each system.In case system prepares to start working, the raw material that comprises sugar, yeast and yeast nutrition liquid and water are in the in-tank mixing of fermenting.Fermentation tank is the sealing unit that comprises stirrer, temperature control device and dynamometer.Measuring system detects the material composition place fermentation tank, and the volume that mixes the water that makes it possible to begin sweat with raw material.Control system management pump, stirrer, valve, ventilation blower, sensor and electric heating refrigeratory are so that automatically keep suitable chemical mixture and yeasting.In this process, the saccharomycete consumption sugar, and be translated into ethanol, carbon dioxide and heat.In one embodiment, system can be by detecting the carbon dioxide discharged and the chemical constitution that detects batch of material, thus the monitoring sweat.Thereby can manually or automatically introduce raw material by the operation valve that control material flows in the jar.

System can pass through the output signal of monitoring dynamometer, thereby detects the initial weight of batch of material composition.If import material composition successively independently, then after adding each material composition, the weight of each composition is represented by the variation of weight.Based on the raw material weight that is detected, can calculate the weight/volume of corresponding suitable water.Can pass through dynamometer or Flow Measuring System, thereby detect the amount that is incorporated into the water in the jar.In one embodiment, jar can also have the sensor that detects the liquid volume in the fermentation tank.Liquid sensor can comprise the float that links to each other with variable resistor in the jar.When jar was full of, resistance was set to it than low-resistance value.In the time of ullage, float slides along resistance, thereby changes resistance value.The mobile resistance value that can increase liquid sensor down, and resistance reaches mxm. in ullage.Can proofread and correct system according to the resistance value that is detected, thus the volume of calculating liquid.

Then, system can mix raw material, sugar and water with stirrer.Along with sweat carries out, the reaction of yeast and sugar produces heat.System can also control the temperature in the fermentation tank, makes it keep the Optimal Temperature scope of fermentation.By monitor temperature, heating system can determine that fermentation tank needs heating, cooling or maintenance current state.In one embodiment, temperature control unit is the hot plate that links to each other with fermentation tank, and can by conversion impose on hot plate voltage polarity and content had both been heated, cool off again.During the fermentation, raw material and sugar are converted into ethanol and carbon dioxide.Carbon dioxide from fermentation tank, emit and fermentation tank in the weight of material produce along with ethanol and reduce.By the test material material weight over time, system can determine the situation and the process of sweat.

Whether in one embodiment, system can detect the potpourri of fermented ingredient, suitable to determine blending ratio or prescription, and whether batch of material is in fermentation.During the fermentation, from fermentation tank, periodically take out the batch of material fluid sample, and place in the test zone that comprises one or more sensors.Can use the pipe that links to each other with pump from batch of material, to take out sample, and sample is placed in the test zone.Sensor can detect physical property, as conduction, pH value level, light refractive index or optical wavelength absorbability and fluorescence rate.Sensor output signal is analyzed, to measure the amount of the chemical constitution in the fermentation tank.After specimen, system can make sample turn back in the batch of material.In order to monitor sweat, system can test the batch of material sample continuously or periodically in whole batch of material process.Therefore, the sample extraction system can be pumped into a part of batch of material in the test container continuously, perhaps can periodically specimen be transported in the test container.In one embodiment, can directly in fermentation tank, test batch of material, and sample is not transplanted on independently in the test cabinet.

In case sensor is measured the batch of material sample, the characteristic that detected and expection or optimum value are compared, described expection or optimum value can be stored in the numerical value look-up table of programming in advance, are perhaps obtained by the algorithm calculation.Compare by the chemical constitution that will be detected and look-up table or telecommunication feedback, system can measure the batch of material composition whether batch of material contains optimum mixing ratio.If there is essential distinction between the value of value that is detected and expection, then system can confirm whether chemical constitution lacks or be excessive.Then, system can inform that the user should join in the jar to proofread and correct the chemical constitution of batch of material.In other embodiments, chemicals can be stored in inside, and small-sized rectification systems can automatically join material in the fermentation tank, to proofread and correct the chemical unbalance of batch mixtures.

In some cases, the optimum potpourri of composition or ratio can be foundation with the environmental baseline.Though the temperature that system can controlling tank, the variation of extra sensor measurement ambiance is as temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure etc.When detecting the variation of atmosphere, system can have access to look-up table, perhaps obtains the online long-range feedback of the proper proportion of composition.Then, system can be adjusted to the material mixing ratio in the jar ideal formulations under the environmental baseline.System can also open cooling or heating element, thereby keeps the suitable atmosphere in the jar.

After finishing sweat, fermentation tank comprises the second alcohol and water.By Distallation systm with ethanol and moisture from.In a period of time of several days, the second alcohol and water is heated lentamente, and passes through distillation column by the fermentation tank pumping, thereby produces the steam of second alcohol and water.Because the boiling point difference of these materials, so the ethanol steam tends to rise to the top of distillation cascade, the then condensation on tube wall of most of water vapor, and can not leave distillation cascade.

Because system can be installed on the uneven surfaces, and for vertically alignment of suitable distillation, so system comprises the vertical alignment that is used for distillation cascade.In one embodiment, universal joint links to each other with the first half of distillation cascade.Because most of weight of distillation cascade is positioned under the universal joint, so it tends to rotate to be vertical alignment thereof.System rotates freely in alignment procedure with permission only.After aliging, system can move thereby prevent to rotate in still-process with the distillation cascade locking in place.

Distillation cascade can be filled with the perforated board of filling material or level, and it is used to the karusen of evaporation is separated with alcohol.Ideally, karusen and ethanol enter the bottom and the karusen evaporation of distillation cascade.Water and other heavier material are blocked by filler or plate.In contrast be that ethanol can tend to remain the steam form, and continues to move up along distillation cascade.This helps water is separated with the ethanol steam with other pollutant.

In one embodiment, a plurality of plates are offset in the distillation cascade vertically.Yet, in preferred embodiments, the perforated board of inclination certain angle is placed distillation cascade.Can regulate the hole dimension on the perforated board, to optimize the distillation performance.Problem may take place when small-sized rectification systems has moved long period or of short duration termination production.Karusen may remain on the condenser pipe interior filler or perforated board, thereby causes hole and/or filler to stop up.Must before can operating with optimum efficiency, system clean then whole condenser pipe.In order to reduce this blockage problem, plate can be angled, makes that at water and karusen steam gravity tends to the lower limb guiding of condensed fluid towards plate onboard during condensation.Because it is karusen tends to move away from the hole, therefore obviously less to the possibility of distillation cascade destruction.

In one embodiment, distillation cascade is the multi-piece type unit, and this unit can be disassembled and be many.If plate or filler need be changed or repair, distillation cascade can be taken apart, and can arrive inner surface.In one embodiment, distillation cascade can have one or more web members along its length.Web member can have any suitable design.In preferred embodiments, web member can be included in the mortise pin that the each several part rotation of distillation cascade cooperates with hook the time.Make each segmentation connect along the rotation of direction, and rotation in opposite direction allow each several part to unclamp and separate in the mode of axially aligning.When each segmentation links together, can use locking mechanism to prevent each segmentation rotation.

Make the steam that leaves distillation cascade by diffusion barrier, with ethanol and other fluid separation applications.Film may be damaged owing to being exposed to the thermal shock that produces in the heat steam too quickly.In order to prevent that film is subjected to the destruction of heat steam, system can comprise and preheats mechanism, and the temperature sensor that detects film temperature.Preheat mechanism and can be the well heater of heating film little by little before being exposed to heat steam at film.Can preheat by controller control, described controller can be regulated the speed that heat increases, thereby prevents the destruction to film.When the temperature of film temperature and hot water and ethanol steam near the time, system can open valve, thereby allows water and ethanol steam flow to cross film.

Film have allow less hydrone by and aperture that bigger ethanol molecule does not pass through, wherein said ethanol molecule flows through and leaves mouth.Can use vacuum guiding water vapor to pass through fenestra.At water and ethanol after separating, a plurality of heat interchanger and electric heating refrigeratory are converted into liquid again with ethanol and water vapor.Water is recovered, and fuel-grade ethanol inflow hold-up vessel, and available.In one embodiment, small-sized rectification systems storage ethanol and gasoline.In one embodiment, the user controls the blending ratio of ethanol and gasoline.When needs fuel, only need by flexible pipe and ozzle the fuel that mixes to be distributed like that to the refuelling station.

Small-sized rectification systems can also comprise can the detection system element function and the sensor of failure of apparatus.Various types of sensors can be included in the system.Pressure transducer is used for testing pump, post flows and the failure condition of motor-mount pump.Electricity and optical sensor can be measured sugar, yeast, various nutrients, alcohol, water and pH balance content.The environment distillation situation that temperature sensor measurement inner pillar, heat interchanger, water storage level, ethanol storage level, thermoelectric (al) cooler, thermoelectric heater and ambiance are inside and outside.Accelerometer or strain gauge transducer are measured fermentation tank weight.Voltage and current sensor measurement post heating element, motor, pump and power supply input and output voltage.Radio frequency sensor detects Wi-Fi or data cell network.By these sensors, can the monitoring system operational circumstances.Sensing data can be sent in the controller by sensor, and the information that is detected can be analyzed, handles and be shown to this controller.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 is the side view of an embodiment of small-sized rectification systems;

Fig. 2 illustrates electrothermal mechanism;

Fig. 3 illustrates batch weight figure over time;

Fig. 4 illustrates the figure of universal joint mechanism;

Fig. 5 illustrates the vertical view of distillation cascade board component;

Fig. 6 illustrates the side view of distillation cascade board component;

Fig. 7 illustrates the distillation cascade with a plurality of web members;

Fig. 8-10 illustrates an embodiment of distillation cascade web member;

Figure 11 illustrates the cut-open view of the perforated membrane that is used for the dried up and ethanol of branch;

Figure 12 illustrate system controller and with being communicated with of the control gear of sensor and small-sized rectification systems;

The communication that Figure 13 illustrates between small-sized rectification systems and other system computer is communicated with;

Figure 14 illustrates the sensor that is used to monitor batch of material fluorescence rate;

Figure 15 illustrates the optical wavelength Absorbing Sensor that is used to monitor batch of material;

Figure 16 illustrates the optical reflection sensor that is used to monitor batch of material;

Figure 17 illustrates the pH sensor that is used to monitor batch of material;

Figure 18 illustrates the oxygen sensor that is used to monitor batch of material; And

Figure 19 illustrates the electric resistance sensor that is used to monitor batch of material.

Embodiment

Each parts with reference to 1 pair of small-sized rectification systems 101 of the present invention of accompanying drawing are described.In one embodiment, fermentation tank 103 places on one or more dynamometers 105, and this dynamometer 105 detects the power in downstream, and produces corresponding electrical output signal.Dynamometer 105 links to each other with system controller 151, and this system controller 151 is monitored the weight of all the elements thing in jar 103 and the jar 103 in whole ethanol conversion technology.Dynamometer 105 output signals are proportional with the weight that is detected.In one embodiment, system controller 151 can enter correction program, and this program detects the weight of slack tank 103, and is offset with the slack tank weight storage.Offset can be deducted from the weight of any detection then, be made system controller 151 to detect to be incorporated into the weight and the amount of the material in jars 103.Can when handling a batch of material, repeat the trimming process of fermentation tank 103 at every turn.

System controller 151 can provide and show and/or audio instructions, and this instruction can be indicated order and the amount of introducing material based on the estimation amount of ethanol to be prepared.For example, in one embodiment, the user can import the amount of required ethanol.The required quantity of material of system-computed expection then, producing required amount of alcohol, and guides user is introduced the sugar and the raw material of specified quantitative.In order to start fermenting procedure, uncap 111, and the sugar of special ratios and raw material be incorporated in jars 103.

In one embodiment, sugar is first material that joins in the fermentation tank 103.Detect the amount of sugar by system controller 151, and determine the volume of corresponding water.After adding sugar, system controller 151 can guides user be introduced raw material.System controller 151 can detect the weight of raw material, and instruction and information about joining the material quantity in the fermentation tank are provided.System controller 151 can detect the weight of introducing material, and can provide instruction to the user, as adding more materials, reducing material in the preparation and introduce speed and add material and stop to add material stopping.System controller 151 can have indication adds the volume of material in jar visual display, so the user knows when to stop adding material, to produce the ethanol of aequum.System controller 151 can also provide whether produce wrong feedback.For example, add too much sugar if system controller 151 detects, then system can compensate the mistake that adds extra sugar by the amount that increase joins the raw material in the fermentation tank 103.

In another embodiment, sugar, yeast can be stored in the container 191 that links to each other with fermentation tank 103 with other material composition (as phosphorus, sulphur, potassium, magnesium, mineral, amino acid and vitamin), and control system 151 can be controlled the valve 193 that links to each other with container.Therefore, control system 151 can join required material in the fermentation tank 103, thus automatic sugar, yeast and other composition introduced.System can also allow by hand a large amount of original materials to be incorporated in the fermentation tank, adds the extra material that is stored in the container then, to regulate batch of material as required.When the raw material that will be fit to volume and ratio and sugar are incorporated in the fermentation tank 103, close cap 111.Lid 111 can have locking mechanism, to prevent that other any material joins in the jar 103 before finishing processing.

As discussed above, system controller 151 detects the amount of the sugar in the fermentation tank 103, and calculates the volume of the corresponding water of sweat.System can join in the jar 103 by automatically that fermentation process is volume required water.Can detect the suitable volumes of water based on the water that flows into from water store tank 103 meterings.Perhaps, system controller 151 can detect the weight of water, and calculates the volume of the water that is added based on known volume weight.System controller 151 links to each other with valve between water pot 181 and the fermentation tank 103.System controller 151 can be opened valve, and moving the water to flow in jars 103, and when detecting suitable volume weight variation, system controller 151 can shut-off valve.In other embodiments, can by hand water be joined in the fermentation tank 103, and system can indicate the water that adds appropriate amount when.

When having the suitable mixture of water, raw material and sugar in fermentation tank 103, thereby system can be by making stirrer 107 rotations with the mixing of batch of material composition, to mix each material.In one embodiment, motor 109 is used to rotate the axle 115 that links to each other with agitating element 107.Agitating element 107 can be elongated angled hybrid blade, and it makes the liquid circulation in the jar 103 when rotated.Need mix, so that the yeast in the raw material contacts with ferment required sugar and nutrient solution.Though single stirrer 107 is shown, can use a plurality of stirrers in other embodiments, with composite material, and prevent that sugar and raw material are at the corner of jar 103 caking.

In one embodiment, whether control system 151 can mix suitably by the rotation resistance or the viscosity measurements batch of material of stirrer 107.Lower resistance or viscosity represent that stirrer 107 only contacts with water, and high electrical resistance can represent that stirrer 107 contacts with the caking of sugar or raw material.System can be constructed to make stirrer 107 and the axle 115 in the fermentation tank 103 to move, with complete batch mixture.In mixed process, rotation resistance is the index of admixture.When rotation resistance remains unchanged and during corresponding to the suitable resistance range of potpourri, material can suitably mix.In case detect suitable mixing viscosity, then material is suitably mixed, and can stop the rotation of stirrer 107 during the fermentation or make its periodic operation.

During the fermentation, yeast diluted time absorption sugar in water.This is reflected at the ethanol of last generation 50% of sweat and 50% CO ₂Following chemical equation has been summed up this conversion process:

C ₆H ₁₂O ₆(glucose) → 2CH ₃CH ₂OH (ethanol)+2CO ₂+ heat

In other embodiments, small-sized rectification systems can be handled fibrous material, to produce ethanol.Stringiness ethanol is made by plant waste, and described plant waste for example is wood chip, maize cob and cornstalk, wheat tangerine and cane stalk, does and leaf or endemic solid plant waste.The advantage of stringiness fuel production is that small-sized rectification systems can be constructed to handle zonal vegetable material, carries cost thereby reduce.For example, be positioned at midwestern small-sized rectification systems and can be constructed to handle Wheat Straw and corn residue.In US West, small-sized rectification systems can be handled cane stalk.In the Pacific Northwest and the southeast, timber can be converted into ethanol.

Corn is processed easily, because corn has the starch that enzyme can easily be decomposed into it sugar, and yeast ferments sugar, thereby produces ethanol.In contrast be that stringiness stem and leaf contain and more be difficult to the carbohydrates that decomposes and separate, because they closely combine with other compound.Therefore, need specific processing, to prepare ethanol by stringiness farm waste material.More specifically, in fermentation tank, need specific enzyme, to decompose carbohydrates.Except specific enzyme, the farm waste disposal needs the bacterium of genetic modification, is ethanol so that waste material sugar in farm is fermented.

Another problem of using the farm waste material be its may with mix such as soil materials such as rock, clay and grit, described soil material may destroy small-sized refining parts.In order to prevent this destruction, can fibrous material be ground with muller, before handling, to break material more subtly into pieces.Also can adopt the machinery that applies heat, pressure and acid to fibrous material that fibrous material is divided into glucose and non-grape carbohydrate sugar.Heat and pressure produce sugar and fibre stuff potpourri.Non-glucose sugar is washed off from fiber, and is handled by enzyme based on the fiber of glucose, thereby decomposes, and makes sugar and fiber separation.The sugar that is separated is the karusen that contains ethanol, water and other residue by specific bacterial micro-organism fermentation then.After fermentation, small-sized rectification systems makes karusen evaporation, makes the ethanol steam rise by distillation cascade, thus with ethanol and moisture from.Steam from distillation cascade is handled by porous filter, and as mentioned above, this filtrator is used to the ethanol steam is separated with any residual water vapor.

In another embodiment, adopt different technology separating glucose and non-glucose sugar.Can be by the acid solution of fibrous material with about 25-90 weight % be mixed, thereby with the mixture separation of glucose and non-glucose sugar.Acid to small part is decomposed fibrous material, and material is converted into the gel that comprises immobilization material and liquid part.Then, be about 30 weight % with gel by about 20 weight % dilution, and the heating gel, thereby at least in part the cellulose that is comprised in the material is decomposed.Then, the liquid part can be separated with immobilization material, thereby obtain to contain sugar and sour mixed liquor.Then, sugar is separated with acid in the mixed liquor, contain the mixed sugar liquid that sugar that total amount is 15 weight % and acid content are lower than 3 weight % thereby produce by resin isolation.

The method that obtains mixed sugar comprises that also the solid material that will separate mixes with the solution of the sulfuric acid of about 25-90 weight %, thereby further decomposes immobilization material, comprises second gel of second immobilization material and second liquid part with formation.The dilution of second gel liquid is the acid concentration of about 20 weight % to about 30 weight %.Then, second gel liquid that dilutes is heated to about 80 ℃ to 100 ℃ temperature, thereby further with cellulose hydrolysis remaining in second gel.Second liquid part is separated with second immobilization material, thereby obtain to contain sugar and the second sour liquid.Can be with first and second liquid combination, to form mixed liquor.The U.S. Patent application No.10/485 that the glucose separation method was submitted on January 26th, 2004 has more detailed description in 285, and it incorporates this paper by reference into.The described method that is used for being prepared by fibrous material ethanol has many advantages.Residue, turf-mown thing and other plant remains of tree are discarded in usually and fill in the pond.By utilizing these material preparation ethanol, the refuse that is produced fills the pond significantly to be reduced, and small-sized rectification systems has basically raw material source freely, and produces greenhouse gases still less.

Fermentation requires to carry out suitable temperature control, to keep each composition in suitable fermentation temperature scope.If the yeast temperature is low excessively, then yeast may dormancy, and fermentation slows down, and if temperature is too high, then yeast may be killed.Have various types of yeast, some of them have high temperature tolerance.The internal temperature of fermentation tank 103 should be between about 60 to 90 Fahrenheits degree centigrade, to keep the Yeast Cultivation survival.In order to increase fermenting speed, temperature can remain a higher end of yeast tolerable temperature scope.

In one embodiment, system 101 also comprises the thermoelectric mechanism 113 that can be coupled with fermentation tank 103.Thermoelectric mechanism 113 is by DC power supply, and the optimum treatment temperature in the maintenance jar 103.For even temperature control is provided, a plurality of thermoelectric mechanisms 113 can be attached to a plurality of segmentations of jar 103.In one embodiment, system controller 151 links to each other with thermoelectric mechanism 113, and in fermentation tank 103 temperature sensor is installed.System controller 151 from temperature sensor receive with jar the corresponding signal of internal temperature, and determine whether jars 103 be in suitable temperature range, and perhaps batch of material is to need heating or cooling.As discussed above, sweat produces heat, therefore in some cases, may not need jar 103 is heated or cools off.If it is cold excessively that system detects fermentation tank 103, then system controller 151 applies direct current energy with heating work pattern thermotropism electrical mechanisms 113.If the temperature of fermentation tank 103 is too high, then can reverses, thereby make thermoelectric mechanism 113 be converted to refrigerating mode, to reduce the temperature of jar 103 by polarity and thermoelectric mechanism 113 with power supply.When the temperature of fermentation tank 103 was positioned at the suitable temperature scope of fermentation or Optimal Temperature scope, system controller 151 can also be closed the power supply of thermoelectric mechanism 113.Optimum temperature range can depend on the concrete kind of yeast to be fermented, but they are usually between about 25 ℃ to 30 ℃.

In another embodiment, system can utilize pump 119, and this pump 119 makes batch of material turn back in the fermentation tank thermoelectric radiating device 117 of batch of material pumping by separating with fermentation tank then.If it is cold excessively that system controller 151 detects batch of material, then driving pump 119 is actuated to thermoelectric radiating device 117 (it is by controller 151 controls) is passed through in the batch of material pumping, thereby batch of material is heated.Perhaps, overheated if system controller 151 detects batch of material, then driving pump 119 is actuated to thermoelectric radiating device 117 (it is by controller 151 controls) is passed through in the batch of material pumping, thereby batch of material is cooled off.The outlet of thermoelectric radiating device 117 can link to each other with fermentation tank 103, makes all turn back in the fermentation tank 103 through heat treated batch of material.

In one embodiment, system can be used for various environment, and can prepare ethanol under various environmental baselines.This need cool off fermentation tank at high-temperature area and season, and at low-temperature region and season fermentation tank 103 is heated.Can use more thermoelectric mechanism 113 in the system that is arranged under the extreme environmental conditions more.In one embodiment, the user may buy and install thermoelectric mechanism 113 simply, with the hotter or colder temperature of compensation.Can also be by small-sized rectification systems being placed in the protectiveness shell and for small-sized rectification systems adds heat-proof device, thus the influence of extreme ambient temperature reduced.

With reference to Fig. 2, in one embodiment, thermoelectric heating and cooling mechanism 113 can have around two sheet metals 205 of ceramic core body 209 and 207.When charging,

plate

205 and 207 shakes, thereby produces cold side 205 and hot side 207.In one embodiment, two

plates

205 and 207 keep 69 ℃ the temperature difference always between 205 and 207 these both sides.Apply voltage by direct supply 203 for

plate

205 and 207 by system controller 151 control.Can be by by the polarity reversal of power supply 203 with the electric energy that applied, thus the heating or the cooling output of thermoelectric mechanism 113 controlled.Because thermoelectric mechanism 113 sizes less (diameter is about 2 to 4 inches), therefore thermoelectric mechanism 113 is desirable for small-sized cooling and heating application (as the batch of material in the fermentation tank).

Thermoelectric mechanism 113 can be installed on the wall of fermentation tank 103, perhaps as discussing with reference to Fig. 1, thermoelectric mechanism can be constructed to thermoelectric radiating device 117.Can be with the fermentation liquor pumping by thermoelectric radiating device 117, to carry out heating and cooling.Therefore, thermoelectric heating and cooling mechanism 113 and thermoelectric radiating device 117 can cool off the batch of material fermentation tank, perhaps by reversing the direct-current polarity that imposes on thermoelectric mechanism 113 and thermoelectric radiating device 117 by system controller 151, thus the heating batch of material.

In preferred embodiments, fermentation tank 103 holds about 200 gallons liquid.Thermoelectric mechanism 113 is practical for the small-scale fermentation batch that is in this liquid volume scope, but lacking enough heat energy carries out heat control to more massive commercial fermentation process.Therefore, heat and power system can be used from the temperature of the about 200 gallons liquid of control with system one of the present invention, but improper commercial fermentation process jar more than 1,000 gallon is carried out temperature control.

The problem of sweat is its always not predictable process.Finish the required time of sweat along with sugar and purity yeast and batch temperature and change.A kind of mode of monitoring sweat is the weight change of monitoring fermentation liquor.During the fermentation, sugar is converted into ethanol and CO ₂, this CO ₂From fermentation tank 103, discharge.Therefore, CO ₂Discharge make batch weight reduce.In one embodiment, adopt force transducer 105 periodically or continuously to detect the weight of batch of material during the fermentation.Along with CO ₂Discharge from fermentation tank 103, batch of material lightens.System can pass through the weight of monitoring batch of material, thus the process of monitoring batch of material fermentation.Can determine the initial weight of batch of material, and be stored in the storage device.The variation of batch of material is converted into the CO that discharges from fermentation tank 103 by sugar ₂And cause.When the weight of batch of material lowered known number percent, system controller 151 can determine that sweat finishes.Perhaps, when the changing down of weight slowed down or stops, system controller 151 can determine that sweat finishes.Can also be with CO ₂Sensor links to each other with fermentation tank.Owing to discharge CO ₂, the CO in the jar 103 ₂Level is low to show that batch of material has produced CO less ₂

As discussed above, force transducer 105 can be used for the initial weight that begins to detect the sugar, raw material and the water that are contained in jar 103 at sweat.Then, can be by at a certain time interval to force transducer 105 sampling, thus sense weight periodically.By the monitoring batch of material over time, weight over time speed can be used for determining the state of sweat batch of material.For example, with reference to Fig. 3, show the weight diagram over time of batch of material.When sweat began, the weight of batch of material reduced quite apace.The process that is converted into ethanol along with sugar is carried out, and the speed that weight lowers slows down.At last, it is very low that weight change becomes, thereby show that sweat finishes.

Except the weight that detects batch of material, system can also carry out chemical detection to the batch of material composition.In one embodiment, small-sized rectification systems comprises batch of material mechanism for testing 171 shown in Figure 1, and it can detect the chemical constitution of batch of material, and can comprise the chemical sensor of optics, electricity, chemistry or any other type.Conveying mechanism can comprise the pipe 175 that links to each other with pump 173, thereby the sample delivery of batch of material is arrived mechanism for testing 171.Mechanism for testing 171 can link to each other with controller 151, and can be used for detecting the chemical equilibrium of sweat batch of material.The amount or the ratio of the batch of material composition that will be detected by mechanism for testing 171 and the optimal value that can be stored in look-up table or have other source to provide compare.The best proportion of batch of material composition can change during the fermentation.If have evident difference between measured value and optimal value, then controller 151 can be pointed out transmission the signal of this problem, and/or controller 151 can automatically join chemical constitution in the fermentation tank 103, so that batch of material balance again.By in whole fermentation constitutes, testing and regulate batch of material continuously, can be substantially by preparing the batch ethanol.Below the example more specifically and the explanation of sensor used in the test chemical mechanism is described.

Though the fermentation tank 103 at sugar fermentation and raw material has carried out above description, system of the present invention can also handle different materials, and can extract ethanol by the alcoholic beverage that reclaims (as the pure product that contains of beer, grape wine and other).The user can be the processor of sugared fermentation tank or discarded alcohol with the function selecting of small-sized rectification systems.In sugared fermentation pattern, small-sized rectification systems ferments sugar, thereby produces above-mentioned alcohol.In pure take-back model, contain pure product and also before handling, enter in the fermentation tank, to be converted into ethanol by Distallation systm.Multi-functional design provides reclaims sugar or the discarded pure commercial benefit that is present in restaurant, bar or grape wine factory usually.

After sugar fermentation or during, can in fermentation tank, add pure liquid.Processor can be pointed out when to add and contain alcoholic beverage.In one embodiment, controller can drive the locking mechanism that links to each other with lid 111, to allow or to prevent that the user from adding material in fermentation tank 103.Because the reaction of yeast is converted into carbon dioxide with most of liquid, therefore the liquid volume in the fermentation tank 103 can reduce when fermentation ends, and this has produced and has reclaimed the space that contains alcoholic beverage.Then, small-sized rectification systems separates ethanol with batch of material, and alcohol is separated with other liquid component with discarded beverage.

By liquid is handled by Distallation systm, thereby with ethanol and water and other fluid separation applications.In one embodiment, Distallation systm of the present invention comprises pump 127, well heater 128, distillation cascade 131 and is used for distillation cascade 131 is placed the universal joint mechanism 139 of vertical direction.Can keep vertical direction by the gyrator 132 that is installed on the distillation cascade 131.The motor that gyrator 132 comprises the rotor that can align with the vertical axes of distillation cascade and makes the rotor rotation.The rotation of rotor is moved by any rotation and is made gyrator 132 and distillation cascade stablize.Control system 151 control pumps 127, with the liquid pumpings in the fermentation tank 103 by well heater 129, thereby make water and ethanol boiling and evaporation.Evaporated liquid is directed into the bottom of distillation cascade 131.Along with steam moves up by distillation cascade 131, ethanol molecule separates with hydrone, and leaves the top of pillar.If water and other non-ethanol class I liquid I evaporation are tended in the condensation of the side of distillation cascade when then these steams cool off in distillation cascade 131.Then, the liquid of condensation can perhaps drip downwards along this inwall attached to the inwall of distillation cascade 131, and does not leave the top of pipe 131.Distallation systm can also comprise one or more temperature sensors, and it monitors steam temperature, and control heater 128, is in the steam of optimum separation temperature with generation.Excessive heat can produce vapor rate faster, thereby causes more water to leave distillation cascade 131, and the steam temperature of lower temperature can cause less ethanol to flow out from distillation cascade 131.

Still-process requires distillation cascade 131 to be in accurate vertically aligned condition.Steam is vertical uplift lentamente, and moves up at the center of steam by distillation cascade 131 and when top was left, its flow path was not hindered by sidewall preferably.If distillation cascade 131 does not become vertical state, then the steam of Shang Shenging can enter into the side of pipe 131, thereby causes the condensation of ethanol steam, and reduces the efficient of Distallation systm.Similarly, along the water vapor that rises from the vertical direction angled side walls may not can condensation on sidewall, thereby reduce separating of water and ethanol.Therefore, accurate vertically aligned condition is essential for efficient distillation.

With reference to Fig. 4, universal joint mechanism 139 supports distillation cascade 131, and allows pipe 131 to rotate to be vertical aligned condition naturally.In one embodiment, pivot 305 and outer pivot 307 in universal joint mechanism 139 comprises, in described pivot 305 with distillation cascade 131 with link to each other around pipe 131 ring 309, it is 309 continuous with securing supports 311 (it links to each other with framework) that described outer pivot 307 will encircle.Pivot 307 and 309 can comprise low frictional properties bearing or axle bush, and it allows

pivot

307 and 309 with extremely low friction force rotation.Universal joint mechanism 139 is installed in more than the center of gravity of distillation cascade 131, makes that the gravity below 139 causes that pipe 131 vertically self aligns automatically to distillation cascade 131 in universal joint mechanism.If securing supports 311 is installed on the framework securely, then distillation cascade 131 automatically rotates to be vertical alignment thereof.

In one embodiment, gyrator 132 shown in Figure 1 is installed on the bottom of distillation cascade 131.Gyrator 132 comprises rotor and makes the motor of rotor rotation.Because the weight of gyrator 132 is supported by distillation cascade 131, so the center of gravity of gyrator 132 can align with the vertical central shaft of distillation cascade 131, so weight can not cause dislocation.The turning axle of rotor can align with the vertical axes of distillation cascade, and when rotor rotation, gyrator 132 and distillation cascade 131 are stabilized, and makes any angled vertical alignment thereof can not change distillation cascade that moves of small-sized rectification systems.In one embodiment, distillation cascade 131 is vertical alignment before beginning to rotate opening gyrator and rotor.

Distillation cascade 131 may be frangible, and in some cases, may need distillation cascade 131 lockings are moved preventing in place.In one embodiment, vertically alignment comprises the locking mechanism that prevents that distillation cascade from rotating.In one embodiment, system can pass through sensor (as windage scale and/or the accelerometer that links to each other with shell) sense environmental conditions.If wind speed is very high, system may move, and it can cause distillation cascade to move losing vertical aligned condition.For the risk that prevents that distillation cascade from take place destroying, detecting predetermined wind speed or quickening when mobile, system can have can controlled " safety " pattern.For example, when the wind speed that is detected greater than 40MPH or detect earthquake greater than 5.0 the time, small-sized rectification systems can enter safe mode, wherein distillation cascade and other frangible system unit are locked in safe position.System can also receive the weather warning in its geographic position from external source (as the service of the Internet weather information), thereby and by the early warning of scheduling safe mode time reply storm.Controller can also powered-down, and/or surge protection is provided, to prevent because surge or outage and electric component is damaged.

In one embodiment, distillation cascade can be filled with filling material or horizontal perforated board, and it is used to the karusen of evaporation is separated with alcohol.Ideally, karusen and ethanol enter the bottom of distillation cascade, and the steam that merges up moves along pipe.Water and other heavier material are blocked by filler or plate.In contrast be that ethanol can tend to remain the steam form, and continues to move up along distillation cascade.This helps water is separated with the ethanol steam with other pollutant.Plate can be in distillation cascade horizontal alignment, and a plurality of plates can be set along the length of distillation cascade.Problem may take place when small-sized rectification systems is of short duration when stopping to produce.Water can condensation or evaporation, and karusen may be retained on filler or the perforated board, thereby causes hole or filler to stop up when reusing in system.When being reused, system may clean whole condenser pipe.

In order to reduce this problem, perforated board 403 can be installed in the distillation cascade 131 at a certain angle.Fig. 5 illustrates the vertical view of board component 401, and is illustrated in some holes 405 that form in the angled plate 403.Fig. 6 illustrates the side view of assembly 401, and the possible angle of plate 403 is shown.When water and karusen steam were condensate on the plate 403, gravity tended to the lower limb guiding of these liquid towards plate 403.Lower limb because karusen liquid tends to raw material hole 405 towards plate 403 moves, and therefore is not easy to take place owing to dry pollutant to the destruction of distillation tube sheet 403.In the time of in being installed in distillation cascade, ring 407 can closely be engaged in the internal diameter of distillation cascade.Assembly can also have goes up ring and ring 407 down with what each parts remained the single type unit, and described single type unit is installed easily or taken out to repair or to safeguard easily.Assembly 401 can be made by any suitable material (as stainless steel and plastics).Assembly 401 can also apply or coat with lacquer the protection top layer that prevents rust and oxydation.Though shown plate 403 is a planar structure, in other embodiments, it also can be an on-plane surface.For example, plate can have down " V " shape, makes that the liquid of condensation is past dirty along the relative downside of plate.

With reference to Fig. 7, show the side view of the embodiment of distillation cascade 131 and relevant hardware component.In one embodiment, distillation cascade 131 is the multi-piece type unit, and it can be disassembled and be a plurality of parts.In this example, there are three and are used for the web member that the different segmentations of distillation cascade 131 are fixed to one another 421.Yet, also contain and can use any amount of distillation cascade segmentation and web member 421.Web member 421 is separable, is opened to allow distillation cascade 131.This need change or repair at plate or filler, and perhaps needing to arrive inner surface is useful especially when cleaning.This can with the required time by shortening to a few minutes in several hours.The multi-piece type structure also allows distillation cascade 131 easier transportations, to carry out field maintemance and reparation, because if the words that need can be changed the part of infringement, rather than whole pipe 131.In order further to simplify the taking-up from system, distillation cascade can be fixed on the connector 425 separately fast on the external diameter of distillation cascade 131.Connector 425 can be used for the temperature and pressure sensor, and liquid inlet and outlet.

The details of the embodiment of web member 421 is shown among Fig. 8-10.Fig. 8 illustrates the web member 421 of mated condition.Web member 421 comprises on the ring 423 that is installed in the external diameter that is connected distillation cascade 131 and a plurality of mortise pins 427 and the hook 429 of support structure is provided.Mortise pin 427 and hook 429 are distributed in the periphery of ring 423.By each segmentation of rotary distillation pipe 131, hook 429 fixes with mortise pin 427, and each segmentation of distillation cascade is fixed together.In one embodiment, locking mechanism 426 anti-stop ring 423 rotations make each segmentation of distillation cascade 131 not separate.

With reference to Fig. 9, when needs are taken distillation cascade 131 apart,, make mortise pin 427 and hook 429 separate with each segmentation rotation.As shown in figure 10, when mortise pin 427 separated with hook 429, each segmentation of distillation cascade 131 can be separated from one another.In other embodiments, the bindiny mechanism that can adopt various other types is fixed together each segmentation of distillation cascade.

When small-sized rectification systems normal running, hot ethanol and water vapor leave distillation cascade 131, and move through film system 135, and this film system 135 is with hydrone and pure molecular separation.Film system 135 comprises the porous diffusion barrier that can be made by pottery, glass or very coarse material.With reference to Figure 11, film 606 has a plurality of apertures 607, and this aperture 607 allows hydrones 609 to pass through, but excessive and it is passed through for ethanol molecule 611.Higher vapour pressure makes less hydrone 609 flow through hole 607.By making steam pass through film 606, hydrone 609 is separated, and pure substantially ethanol molecule 609 leaves by the film system.Therefore, hole 607 is greater than the diameter of water vapor, and less than the diameter of ethanol steam.In one embodiment, the diameter in hole 607 can be about 2 to 40 Ethylmercurichlorendimides.

Using the potential problems of perforated membrane system is that heat damage may take place membrane material easily.Particularly, if the temperature of ethanol steam is higher than the temperature of film in fact, then " heat damage " may take place in film.For example, film may directly be exposed in the ethanol steam of heat then under the environment temperature, thereby causes destroying.In order to prevent the heat damage of film, adopt miniature control heating system to the film preheating, be suitable for handling heat steam to guarantee film temperature.In one embodiment, the temperature of film is detected by the thermopair that links to each other with the film system.When the control system guiding liquids flowed out fermentation tank arrival well heater and distillation cascade, this system detected the temperature of film before heat steam is directed to distillation cascade.With reference to Fig. 1, if film is colder, then system controller 151 can drive heating element, and the monitoring film temperature.When film temperature raise, control system can have the adjustment setting, thereby prevented that well heater is to the film superheated.When film temperature was preheated to safe temperature, system controller 151 can allow heat steam to flow on the film by distillation cascade 131.In case heat steam flows through film, then steam is understood heating film, and can stop the power supply to heating element.In order to help ethanol and moisture from process, can be by means of vacuum 143 with water vapor guiding passing through perforated membrane.

In one embodiment, film system 135 can have standby film 135.If a film system 135 is damaged, then controller can detect inefficacy, and controller 151 can operation valve 136 will be diverted in the standby film system 135 from the water of distillation cascade 131 and ethanol steam.Controller 151 can send operator or maintenance group by the signal that transceiver 197 will indicate film 135 to be damaged to.Can when water and ethanol separate by standby film system 135, the film system 135 of being damaged be changed then.

Meeting condensation after water is by film system 135 and vacuum 143, and flow in the water store tank 181, it is used for fermentation tank 131 once more then.The ethanol that is separated leaves film system 135, flows through thermoelectric (al) cooler 166 then, and this refrigeratory 166 makes ethanol be condensed into liquid.Liquid ethanol flows into its hold-up vessel that stores 145 then, and it is mixed with gasoline.The ultrasound wave that links to each other in hold-up vessel 145 or other liquid sensor can detect the ethanol level in the hold-up vessel 145, and this alcohol production information is offered system controller 151.In one embodiment, system controller 151 can detect the time that ethanol hold-up vessel 145 is full of, and stops still-process, and having in hold-up vessel 145 can be for till the space that utilizes.

In one embodiment, small-sized rectification systems of the present invention can mix with any ratio that is set by the user with gasoline in being stored in gasoline hold-up vessel 155 by the ethanol that system controller 151 will be stored in the ethanol hold-up vessel 145.Control system comprises the user interface that allows the user to select required fuel mixture ratio.System can comprise and prevents that the fuel mixture setting from surpassing the closing component structure of the maximum or minimum ethanol percentage that vehicle allowed.In case selected fuel mixture, the user can adopt small-sized refining function, as the petrol pump of routine.The user takes out ozzle 163 from the support of small-sized rectification systems, and is placed in the pot type tucker of vehicle.The control lever that will link to each other with ozzle 163 drives, and with driving pump 149, this pump 149 makes fuel be flow in the pot type tucker of vehicle by hose reel 157, flexible pipe 161 and ozzle 163 by jar 145 and 155.System is with different flowing velocity operation ethanol and petrol pump 149, to produce the fuel ratio of regulation.Ozzle 163 detects the time that the vehicle jar is filled, and automatically stops fuel flowing by ozzle 163.When the vehicle jar was full of, the user was put back into ozzle 163 on the support, and the lid of refuelling tucker, to stop filling process.When small part was discharged, system can begin to prepare more ethanol at ethanol jar 145.

The blending ratio of ethanol and gasoline or other fuel can depend on by the type of the vehicle of refuelling.Just can in internal combustion engine, use straight alcohol when only engine being designed or transforming at the use straight alcohol.Yet ethanol can mix with various ratios with gasoline, to be used for without transforming vehicle motor.In the U.S., be designed to conventional car by gasoline operation and can only use and contain the fuel blend of 15% ethanol at the most.In contrast be that U.S.'s flexible fuel automobile can use to contain and be less than 20% the ethanol or the fuel blend of 85% ethanol at the most.The alcohol fuel potpourri is indicated letter " E " expression of ethanol percentage usually by the back.For example, typical alcohol fuel title comprises: E5, E7, E10, E15, E20, E85, E95 and E100 etc., wherein E5 is 5% ethanol and 95% gasoline.

After finishing the processing of being undertaken by each small-sized rectification systems, small-sized rectification systems can also be cleaned.In one embodiment, small-sized rectification systems comprises such cleaning mechanism, and it can spray fermentation tank with the suds of pressurization, and this can remove particulate matter from jar and other parts.Then, system can the elution circuit parts, to remove soap and other vestiges.In one embodiment, open bleed valve, discharge from system by discharging hose with the waste liquid that allows fermentation tank and Distallation systm.System can comprise automatic cleaning systems, and its utilization is connected the water source and discharges valve between the nozzle of water under high pressure, and is driven by system controller.Can directly spray, to remove the material of deposition at the fermentation cell wall.When the inside surface of small-sized rectification systems is removed volatile material, open bleed valve, and waste material is down poured in the common discharge system.

Because small-sized rectification systems be complicated mechanism, so sensor and controller be used to operate automatically, and optimization ethanol preparation performance.Small-sized rectification systems comprises the various sensors of the operating conditions of monitoring processing system, and described disposal system comprises: mixing agitator, Distallation systm, film separation system, hold-up vessel and mixing and the pumping system of fermentation tank, dynamometer weight detecting system, temperature control system, fermentation tank.All these systems include the sensor that links to each other with controller.With reference to Figure 12, the simplified block diagram of system controller 151 is shown.Controller 151 comprises: CPU (central processing unit) (CPU) 601, visual display 603 (it also can be an input media), user's input mechanism 609 (as button, keyboard etc.).In order to make CPU601 and, to need analog to digital converter 611 and digital to analogy converter 613 such as analogue means communications such as motor, sensors.Analog to digital converter 611 is used to analog data signal is converted into the digital signal that can be resolved by CPU601, and digital to analogy converter 613 is used to the digital controlled signal from CPU601 is converted into analogue means.CPU601 can link to each other with electronic memory 605.In one embodiment, controller 151 links to each other with the various sensor 305-313 of the operation that detects small-sized rectification systems and system unit, and links to each other with the various sensor 314-317 of the operation of controlling small-sized rectification systems.

In one embodiment, controller 151 can be resolved sensor 205 information that detected, and this information can be sent the indication of audio or video state.Controller 151 can also link to each other with the lamp 199 of the indication of the state that small-sized rectification systems is provided.The color of light can the indication mechanism state.Green glow can represent that all are normal, and gold-tinted can the expression system it is noted that and ruddiness can represent that system is closed.As shown in Figure 1, lamp 199 can be installed in the upper surface of small-sized rectification systems 101, to obtain optimum visuality.If small-sized rectification systems 101 space each other is provided with, then status indicator lamp 199 can be installed in such position, and this position makes that the user is separated by a distance and just can easily see condition indicative signal.In other embodiments, the audio alert device can should be noted that or system sounds during the pent emergency circumstance in system.

Figure 13 is the figure that the communication contact between small-sized rectification systems 101 and other system unit is shown.Controller 151 can also link to each other with transceiver 197, and this transceiver 197 can and be received information by wired or wireless communication transmission.For example, small-sized rectification systems can with computer network communication, with the operation that allows the small-sized rectification systems of computer monitoring and the disposition of material.Controller 151 can send small-sized rectification systems operation information (as sensor and the generation information that is detected) to various other computing machines or server 223 by computer network by transceiver 197.Controller 151 can also receive steering order from other computing machine or server 223, to carry out the operation of small-sized rectification systems according to the operating conditions that is detected.

The operation information that transceiver 197 permission system controllers 151 transmission such as sensor output datas etc. are detected, and from external source reception operational order.Transceiver can be wired unit or the radio-cell with personal computer or network (it links to each other with other computing machine 223) communication.The hardware communication cable can also extend between operator's computing machine 223 and one or more small-sized rectification systems 101.Communication between small-sized rectification systems 101 and computing machine 223 or the network can comprise by various pattern: radio frequency, as WiFi, wireless station or satellite, perhaps optical mode is as IR.For example, the type of transmission can be based on the position of small-sized rectification systems.Operator's computing machine near private shelter or commercial building can have the WiFi communication system.The small-sized rectification systems that surpasses the radio-frequency communication scope apart from operator's computing machine 223 may need wireless station or Satellite Communication System.

Can be sent to microprocessor 601 and be stored in the storer by the small-sized rectification systems information of sensor, and/or it is sent to transceiver then, and be transported to computer network such as the Internet.The type that transmits can be based on the position of small-sized rectification systems.Computing machine 223 near private shelter or commercial building can have the WiFi communication system.In contrast be that the computing machine 223 that is positioned at farther zone may need wireless station or Satellite Communication System, perhaps may need a plurality of computing machines 223 and multiple communication approach, as wireless or cable network.

Adopting under the situation of communication system, small-sized rectification systems can and user's personal computer, system maintenance service provider, group leader, helpdesk, material supplier, administrative authority or other small-sized rectification systems between transmit and reception information.In some cases, information can be sent to user's personal computer by small-sized rectification systems.The user can resolving information, and by personal computer information is sent to service provider or other computing machine.By introducing communication network, can utilize wired lan, wireless network (as WiFi), wireless station or satellite to connect telecommunication, and can the small-sized rectification systems of remote monitoring.The information that transmits by communication system can be used for various purposes, comprising: ethanol preparation, material that system operation monitoring, diagnosis, operation optimization, government department are responsible for store monitoring and material order etc.The data that transmitted can depend on the recipient of information.For example, supervision department only may need to know the ethanol output quantity of small-sized rectification systems.In contrast be that operating conditions and any processing mistake need be known by user or maintenance department.Therefore, compare with government department, the sensor information that sends user or maintenance department to is more.

The communication system that is used for small-sized rectification systems can also be used for other purpose.For example, in one embodiment, communication system can with the U.S. Patent application No.12/110 at common pending trial, the carbon emission project of being discussed in 242 (" Method For Using Carbon Credits With Micro Refineries (methods that small-sized refining is used with carbon credit) ") is used together, and this paper is incorporated in described patented claim by reference into.The carbon credit project can be provided convertible note, and its value that has is based on the CO that replaces the gasoline of equal volume or volume of equal value to cause by small-sized rectification systems generation ethanol owing to utilization ₂The reduction of discharging.Carbon credit can have based on CO ₂The value of the reduction of discharging, condition are to utilize the gasoline that is replaced equal volume or volume of equal value by the ethanol of small-sized rectification systems preparation.Because ethanol is than the CO of gasoline ₂Discharging is directly can be quantitative, therefore can accurately determine CO by the sensor of measuring the volume that flows into the ethanol in the hold-up vessel 145 ₂The reduction of discharging.System can automatically transmit the cubing value by the ethanol of small-sized rectification systems preparation, makes everyone of small-sized rectification systems can note corresponding carbon credit.

Communication system can also be used to the carbon credit of concluding the business.The carbon credit buyer can be individual or corporate entity, and it may wish to improve the world by the overlay area of reducing carbon.The buyer also may need to reduce carbon emission, the statutory regulation of the restriction carbon emission of being issued to meet.Can in the electronics mode carbon credit be sold to the buyer by computer network or based on the marketing system of the Internet.Small-sized rectification systems can be indicated the amount of available carbon credit, and sells one or whole carbon credits with the price of regulation.Perhaps, small-sized rectification systems can utilize the auction network address, so that some or all carbon credits are auctioned off to highest tender person.In some cases, small-sized rectification systems may only have a spot of carbon credit, and a plurality of small-sized rectification systems can be merged, and their accumulation carbon credit is sold together.

In preferred embodiments, small-sized rectification systems transceiver can pass through network (as the Internet) and subscriber computer and/or other server computer communication, and this can help the monitoring and the maintenance of small-sized rectification systems.Small-sized rectification systems can with user's personal computer sharing operation information, and according to the data from small-sized rectification systems, the user can order raw material, safeguard, and be apprised of any system failure.Recipient according to the different small rectification systems information of generation data type may be different.User's computer can send to operation information various other entities, as system maintenance service groups, small-sized refining group supvr, small-sized rectification systems material supplier and government administration section.In some cases, small-sized rectification systems can be shared information.For example, the small-sized rectification systems that is positioned at same area can compare the ethanol preparation amount, to help to confirm this regional optimal operating condition.The small-sized rectification systems of same area can also be shared feed information, makes to order a large amount of raw materials together, and can share transportation cost between the small-sized rectification systems in this zone.

In order to carry out suitable operation, may need raw material is incorporated in the small-sized rectification systems consistently or periodically.By using the force transducer in raw material storage zone, can monitor the weight that supplies raw material.System is constructed to along with consumption of raw materials automatically fills raw material with process tank.System can also detect the weight/quantity of raw material in the storage area and other batch of material composition or adjuvant.When the raw material in the storage area or batch of material composition feed dropped, system can notify user, system maintenance ISP or feed retail trader batch of material to replenish.

Under perfect treatment conditions, batch of material may not need constant chemical constitution balance again.Yet if there are a plurality of variablees under treatment conditions, perhaps small-sized rectification systems is used to handle batch of material or the discarded alcoholic beverage that contains simultaneously, and system may need to test continuously and regulate the batch of material content of fermentation tank.Have high sugared content contain alcoholic beverage can for batch of material provide sugar.Required batch of material also may be along with being changed by the amount of the discarded ethanol that contains the alcoholic beverage preparation.If, then need less raw material to prepare volume required ethanol by containing the more alcohol of alcoholic beverage preparation.

In another embodiment, system can comprise the sensor of the amount that detects the treated alcohol in the hold-up vessel.If hold-up vessel almost is full of, then system can reduce ethanol preparation, and if hold-up vessel is full of, then system can stop ethanol preparation.On the contrary, if system detects the ethanol hold-up vessel almost empty the time, then system can increase preparation.Can control preparation by slowing down or stopping the distillation processing.By the ethanol demand and the batch of material content of monitor user ', system can predict the demand of material, and has the material of required Gong processing.Small-sized rectification systems needn't stop to produce, because required material always exists when needed on the spot.

Can send the raw material notice to user by various means of communications, described means of communication comprises the electronic signal that is sent to subscriber computer by small-sized rectification systems network, and this signal form with indicant on user's chart interface signals shows.Perhaps, the raw material notice can be sent to user's computer or phone with the form of email notification, text or voice signal.In other embodiments, the user can authorize or tectonic system is automatically got in touch the raw material supplier, and crosses in the raw material supply amount and to require extra raw material when low.Just can transmit signal when in storage process, leaving the raw material of scheduled volume, make the user before system exhausts material, replenish feed if having time.

In other embodiments, determine regularly and the conveying of supplying raw materials.System can detect the production demand, the perhaps speed of consumption of raw materials, and regulate feed, be higher or lower than the ethanol preparation of desired amount with compensation.For example, preparation demand can be a foundation with the ethanol volume that is stored in the jar.System can automatically increase raw feed materials when storage capacity is low, and when reservoir volume almost is full of, reduces raw feed materials.Can also regulate the amount of raw feed materials based on the wear rate of being predicted.

In one embodiment, system can also be used for detecting the operate miss of small-sized rectification systems.On-the-spot problem also may be because fault and extreme meteorological condition cause device shut-down and expensive on-site maintenance service.For the pick-up unit problem, small-sized rectification systems can comprise a plurality of sensors of detection system fault.With reference to Figure 13, by small-sized rectification systems of remote monitoring and environmental baseline, notice subscriber computer 223 when system can have problems in system.The operator can check system then, and can repair this problem.If the user can not repair this problem, the user can make a phone call to service centre, and the maintenance personal can be delivered to small-sized rectification systems 101.In some cases, small-sized rectification systems 101 can carry out autodiagnosis, and determines this problem.This diagnostic message can be transferred into subscriber computer 223, maintenance provider's server computer 223 and/or service centre 223.

In some fitting operations, the user may not wish to manage the operation of small-sized rectification systems 101, then allows the maintenance supplier safeguard small-sized rectification systems on the contrary.All information can be transferred into system maintenance server 223, perhaps small-sized refining group supvr computing machine.Subscriber computer 223 can receive Back ground Information, upgrades as the state of the small-sized rectification systems 101 of diagrammatic form (it is resolved by the user easily) with from ISP 223 service.Therefore, small-sized rectification systems 101 can be constructed to send multi-form different information to different computing machine 223.

In one embodiment, the small-sized rectification systems owner may enter right for service companies provides, auxiliary to carry out remote system, and can be transferred into 101 service companies server 223 of the small-sized rectification systems of monitoring from the sensing data of small-sized rectification systems 101.Because service companies may be not interested in the outward appearance that shows, therefore the data output from small-sized rectification systems 101 can be " service output mode " (source data that it can be mainly minimum level or not have data formatting).This source data has reduced the amount of data transmission, and it can make a plurality of small-sized rectification systems 101 by the service companies remote monitoring.If detect any existing problem of small-sized rectification systems 101, service companies server 223 can provide digital command for small-sized rectification systems 101, if perhaps this problem needs manual operations, the Service Technicians can enter small-sized rectification systems 101, to serve or to safeguard.

In one embodiment, can be small-sized rectification systems 101 programmings, so that infrastructure service is required to send to subscriber computer 223, if and this problem needs housebroken technician, then small-sized rectification systems 101 can notification service central computer 223, makes to require the technician immediately.Small-sized rectification systems 101 can also be confirmed the parts that may lose efficacy or go wrong, and requires these parts from service centre's computing machine 223.

In one embodiment, can automatically carry out some system maintenances.For example, with reference to Fig. 1, in one embodiment, small-sized rectification systems can have be used for ethanol and moisture from standby perforated membrane 135.If perforated membrane is damaged, small-sized rectification systems 101 can detect this problem, automatically the valve 161 of the outlet of distillation cascade is transformed into standby film 135 then, thereby can continues ethanol preparation.Then, small-sized rectification systems 101 can require service provider's reparation to be damaged or problematic perforated membrane 135.Various other system units can have the stand-by unit that can use under failure conditions.

When the quantity of the small-sized rectification systems of being operated by company and individual increases, may need to monitor the government or the supervision department of ethanol preparation.According to the commercial fuel regulation, allow government regulation mechanism to obtain refining and prepare information, and law may require commercial fuel to prepare company to government organs' report fuel sales situation, to obtain tax revenue.The small-sized rectification systems that also may require the individual to have and operate carries out similar preparation of fuel report.Yet because the development of private small-sized rectification systems may expand to global various remote location, so government organs are difficult to use the existing method at the large-scale rectification systems design of monitoring to monitor individual preparation of fuel situation.

Many small-sized rectification systems may be had and operated by the individual, and these people may not know how to report the ethanol by their systems produce.In order automatically required information to be sent to regulator, small-sized rectification systems can be constructed to automatically periodically send preparation information to the mechanism billing and accounting system.In other embodiments, small-sized rectification systems can store preparation information, and regulator can obtain preparation information.By small-sized rectification systems controller is linked to each other with computer network, preparation information can easily be transmitted to any supervising entity that needs this information.Transmit small-sized rectification systems data by electronics, the user needn't obtain by hand and send ethanol preparation information to the supervision structure.By permission and small-sized rectification systems telecommunications, the ethanol preparation management of information cost of monitoring small-sized rectification systems also reaches minimized.

In one embodiment, can be by the monitoring of the fuel flow sensor in the small-sized rectification systems 101 ethanol preparation information.Small-sized rectification systems 101 can link to each other with the government organs' computing machine that links to each other 223 by interface, long-range broadband, and described computing machine 223 can be monitored individual preparation of fuel and/or consumption.Data can transmit with confirmation, thereby government can be relevant with suitable small-sized rectification systems with ethanol preparation information.If the ethanol preparation from small-sized rectification systems 101 is paid taxes, then this tax revenue can become the income of place, state and federal government mechanism.

In one embodiment, small-sized rectification systems 101 can also comprise the Long-distance Control feature.In this embodiment, system comprises the detent of the small-sized rectification systems 101 of a plurality of controls.User and regulator can carry out this Long-distance Control.If regulator determines to have violated statutory regulation, then can be by the government organs of authorizing with small-sized rectification systems 101 long-range closing in violation of rules and regulations.For example, the supervision structure can the Long-distance Control braking valve, and this valve control ethanol is from the outflow of small-sized rectification systems 101.By closing this valve, the ethanol of system in can process tank, but can not from small-sized rectification systems 101, take out ethanol in the hold-up vessel.In other embodiments, government can comprise a series of activities to the control of small-sized rectification systems, comprises beginning and will conveying to the small-sized rectification systems owner and/or owner's computing machine 223 about observing the information that requires.Do not proofread and correct if stipulate observing situation in the specified period, then regulator can begin to control the operation of small-sized rectification systems 101, and if the operator continue the requirement that violates the rules, it may stop the operation of small-sized rectification systems 101 at last.

As discussed above, small-sized rectification systems can comprise the sensor of the various operating characteristicses of the small-sized rectification systems of a plurality of detections.Adjust by the monitoring sensor data and according to sensing data, small-sized rectification systems can suitably keep, and with optimum efficiency work.Influence a temperature that principal element is a batch of material of sweat.In one embodiment, the temperature of batch of material is by the transceiver monitoring that links to each other with controller.With reference to Fig. 1, controller control imposes on the electric energy of thermoelectric mechanism 113, and is refined and use thermoelectric mechanism 113 to regulate the temperature of batch of materials, thereby make batch temperature remain in the optimum temperature range.System can keep the batch of material of design temperature to be in the several years scope of design temperature, and this scope can be about 25 ℃ to 30 ℃.Temperature may be most critical during the fermentation.After fermentation ends, system can allow the ethanol temperature to change with atmospheric conditions.This permission system saves energy when not needing batch of material heating or cooling.

In one embodiment, the batch weight that system can also be detected by the comparison based on fermentation time and the weight of expection, thereby the monitoring sweat.Ideally, weight should be predictable over time, and is in during the fermentation in the scope of expection.Depart from the weight saving speed of expection and may represent to exist potential fermentation process problem.For example, the weight saving speed that is higher than expection at specific point in the sweat may be lost (by leaking or evaporation causes) owing to water and caused from fermentation tank.If weight saving speed is lower than desired value, this may represent the sweat existing problems.If it is inappropriate that batch weight alleviates speed, system can carry out extra test, to determine whether the batch of material existing problems.In one embodiment, can test, be in suitable concentration to determine whether yeast and other composition, and whether sugar be processed the batch of material sample.

In one embodiment, small-sized rectification systems can detect the chemical constitution in the batch mixtures, and if detect the chemistry unbalance, then system controller can also provide feedback, and proofreaies and correct.When the user mixes that contain counter-balanced constituents mixt not discarded contains alcoholic beverage or fresh feed so that during the maximization ethanol production, above-mentioned chemical detection may be useful.For example, be exactly like this if user's processing contains a large amount of yeast, still do not contain sugared discarded beer.Lack sugar and may prevent that pure fermentation rate from raising.Lack sugar and also may prevent to be used for the marine alga of Ethanol Treatment and the growth of microorganism fibrous material.It is unbalance that system can monitor this chemistry, and carry out required correction.In another example, if detecting, system controller adds too much sugar, then system can handle excessive sugared required yeast and raw material by increasing, thereby remedies this mistake.Small-sized rectification systems can comprise the sensor of the ratio that detects water, alcohol, sugar, yeast and other chemicals, therefore can add suitable composition, so that maximization ethanol preparation amount.

For the suitable concn of detection of chemicals, controller can compare listed expection composition measurement value in the look-up table that stores in the amount of the chemicals that detected or ratio and the electronic memory.As described, fermentation tank can link to each other with the chemical property sensor with weight sensor.The chemical property sensor can be monitored the concentration of one or more chemicals in the batch of material.By knowing the composition in the batch of material and the amount of material, system can determine whether batch of material is the optimum potpourri of realizing the maximization ethanol preparation.

Look-up table can be the database of chemical constitution and relative concentration thereof.For example, batch of material can begin with following raw material, and this raw material comprises: the yeast (as clostridium) of the water of the sugar of 80 to 90 weight % (as glucose), 10 to 20 weight % and 0.5 weight %.Along with sweat carries out, sugared content reduces, and ethanol content increases.The relative weight of material can change during the fermentation.An example of look-up table is shown in following table 1.System can utilize the look-up table with various one-tenth score value, and described one-tenth score value may depend on environmental baseline and/or pending certain material.Except the listed material of table 1, look-up table also comprises various other batch of materials processing compositions, as O ₂And CO ₂

Table 1

40％

53％

±3％

14.5％

±5％

0.5％

±0.2％

32％

±8％

60％

37％

±3％

14.5％

±5％

0.5％

±0.2％

48％

±12％

80％

21％

±3％

14.5％

±5％

0.5％

±0.2％

60％

±16％

100％

≤5％

±3％

14.5％

±5％

0.5％

±0.2％

76％

±20％

Look-up table can comprise the optimal data of the batch of material feature measurement value of certain time point detection during the fermentation.If there is the chemical constitution of proper ratio in the batch of material, then system can not change batch mixtures, and can allow it to continue fermentation.Yet,, unbalance to correct this chemistry if batch of material chemically unbalance, can join one or more compositions in the batch of material.Along with sugar is converted into ethanol, the sugar in the batch of material reduces than regular meeting, till it is converted into ethanol fully.

As mentioned above, the preparation of ethanol also produces CO ₂Therefore, along with CO ₂Gas is discharged by batch of material, and is emitted in the atmosphere, and the weight of batch of material also can reduce.Batch of material preferably ferments with predetermined speed and can use the sensor fermentation rate.If fermentation rate reduces before batch of material is handled fully, this may represent that the batch of material existence prevents the problem of fermenting.System can be by detecting all operations condition and transmitting alarm to system operator and tackle.When the batch of material fermentation process finished, fermentation rate also can reduce.By reduction, the CO that monitors sugared content ₂The reduction of discharging and batch weight, system can confirm the state that batch of material is handled.For example, system can determine that batch of material finished dealing with 10%, 40%, 80% or any number percent.In one embodiment, system can add sugar and water continuously in batch of material, keeping stable batch of material amount, and makes the fermentation rate maximization.

According to the Percent Complete of fermentation process, look-up table can comprise the optimum chemical composition and the substance characteristics of this batch of material.Owing to the chemical composition of batch of material along with fermentation changes, so the relative quantity of batch of material chemicals also along with and change.Look-up table can be stored in the storer in the small-sized rectification systems, perhaps by in communication network and the operator's computing machine that small-sized rectification systems links to each other.Small-sized rectification systems can also store the various composition of raw materials of programming in advance, and corresponding look-up table, optimizes and controls sweat according to environmental baseline (it is presented as medial temperature, humidity etc.) helping.

In case determine suitable prescription and fermentation number percent, just in look-up table, seek corresponding optimum chemical composition and physical property.System can compare the chemical composition that detected and optimum chemical composition.Do not have suitable chemicals ratio if detect present state of the art, system can add the material of any shortage, to correct chemical ratios.On the contrary,, then can add one or more high other batch of material compositions, so that potpourri balance again if detect the concentration excess of chemicals.

In one embodiment, small-sized rectification systems can compare chemical concentrations and the optimal value that is detected, but allows to have acceptable deviation range with tabular value.For example, acceptable chemical constitution amount can be for being in the concentration range of the left and right sides.When the system validation chemical constitution is outside tolerance interval, then determines to join the required chemical constitution in the batch of material, and calculate the amount of various material requesteds.

The estimation amount of material to be added can be determined by algorithm.For example, the quantity of material in the batch of material to be added (by weight) can (W) be determined by amount equation (Q)=(Δ C), and wherein Δ C is the poor of the chemical concentrations that detected and theoretical chemistry concentration, and W is the weight of batch of material.In an example, look-up table has stipulated that chemical constitution " A " should be 5 weight % of batch of material, and the amount of the composition A that is measured only is 4% of batch of material, and batch weight is 100 pounds.The amount Q that should join the composition A in the batch of material multiply by batch of material (W) by by weight (Δ C) and determines, therefore the composition A of Q=(5%-4%) (100 pounds)=1 pound should be joined in the batch of material.

This batch of material control information may be displayed on the display screen of system, perhaps is transferred on operator's computing machine and/or the service computer.The user can join required composition in the batch of material by hand, and perhaps system can automatically add required composition.As discussed above, in one embodiment, the container that system can composition, and operation valve, this operation valve allow the composition of measured quantity automatically to be blended in the batch of material.If the composition deficiency, system can automatically add this composition in batch of material.Similarly, if the excessive concentration of composition, then system's composition that can add other is to proofread and correct and to optimize batch mixtures.System can continue to monitor the batch of material chemicals in whole fermentation process, and determines whether and need adjust batch of material.

In one embodiment, system can be controlled by the user, and perhaps system can be programmed, and with automatic operation material blends is proofreaied and correct.Because small-sized rectification systems links to each other with computer network, so these prescriptions can perhaps be provided by online support is auxiliary by the renewal of far distance instrument plate communication system.Suitable or optimum prescription can be along with the different of environmental baseline and used material composition and be changed.As discussed above, can use test mechanism detect the deviation of water, ethanol, sugar, yeast and other chemicals in the batch of material.System can tackle by automatically proofreading and correct chemistry amount or ratio (by add one or more compositions in batch of material).Perhaps, system can also indicate the data-signal of the batch of material composition that need adjust to tackle by transmitting.Then, the user can control small-sized rectification systems, so that the batch of material composition is adjusted.

In order to detect the character of batch of material, mechanism for testing 171 shown in Figure 1 can comprise the various sensors of the specific nature (as the sugared content of batch of material) that is used to measure batch of material.With reference to Fig. 6, the sugar that can use electrochemical sensor 505 to detect in the batch of material.Sensor 505 links to each other with liquid container, the reference electrode 509 of the batch of material that holds specified quantitative and the enzyme electrode 507 that contains glucose oxidase.Enzyme is reoxidized by excessive ferrocyanic acid radical ion on enzyme electrode 507.The total electrical charge that adopts reometer 509 to measure by electrode 507, and the concentration of glucose is proportional in total electrical charge and the batch of material.Measure the amount of electric charge in can be at a fixed time, the total electrical charge when perhaps can assaying reaction finishing.Reometer 509 links to each other with controller 513, and this controller 513 calculates the concentration of the glucose in the batch of material, and glucose and the aimed concn of measuring compared.If glucose is not in desired extent, then controller 513 can be adjusted batch of material or operating conditions.

In one embodiment, detection system can comprise the optical system that the batch of material sample is exposed to light.In one embodiment, with reference to Figure 14, optical detection system 307 can comprise light source (as xenon lamp 701), wave filter 703,705 and CCD photometer 707.Can monitor the unit concentration of yeast culture fluorescence and batch of material 711 simultaneously.The yeast of the light of transmission in CCD photometer 707 fronts irradiation batch of material 711.The yeast of fermentation is compared towards the fluorescence of long wavelength's migration by sending with optical source wavelength, thereby light is reacted.The fluorescence that sends is detected by CCD photometer 707.Short bandpass filter 703 can allow between 300 to 400nm (it can be the fluorescence excitation signal) and between 700 to 850nm the light of the SPECTRAL REGION of (it can be light scattering signal) pass

through.Wave filter

703 and 705 can also be blocked the light output of xenon lamp in 400 to 700nm zone, thereby avoids the interference to emitting fluorescence.By detecting fluorescence and fluorescence intensity, CCD photometer 707 can detect the fermentation process situation of yeast.

The batch of material mechanism for testing can also comprise the chemical detection system that can measure the chemical constitution in the batch of material.In one embodiment, adopt the material (it can be solid, liquid or gas) that exists in the absorption spectrum test sample, and impel the electronics in the material to be converted into another energy level subsequently by an energy level.The absorbing wavelength of incident photon is determined by the difference of the energy level of the different material that exists in the batch of material sample.Can use the light of various wavelength to detect chemical composition.In absorption spectrum, the photon of absorption can't be launched once more by batch of material, and the energy that absorbs is transferred on the compound that absorbs photon.

At given wavelength place, shown that the volumetric molar concentration of the absorptivity measured and light absorption batch of material composition is proportional.For specific compound, the radiant quantity that is absorbed and the relation of wavelength are called as " absorption spectrum ".At the wavelength place corresponding to the resonance level of sample, some incident photons are absorbed, thereby the intensity in transmission that causes being measured reduces, and fall accordingly in spectrum.Can adopt photometer, by shape, the optical path length of knowing spectrum and the radiation survey absorption spectrum that is absorbed.By analyzing absorption spectrum, can replace chemical constitution and compound concentrations in the batch of material.

With reference to Figure 15, the critical piece of gas sensor 308 is infrared light supply 521, sample chamber or light pipe 523, wavelength filter 525 and photodetector 527 (as the CCD photometer).Gas enters sample chamber 523, and measures the concentration of target component with electrochemical means in the absorption of the certain wave strong point of infrared spectrum by gas.Light 521 is conducted through sample chamber 523 and enters detecting device 527.Optical filter 525 can be installed in the top of detecting device 527, all light that described wave filter 521 is got rid of except the absorbed wavelength of selected gas molecule.The target component concentration that detected and the look-up table value of target component can be compared, to determine the state of batch of material composition.According to the target component that is detected, system can handle batch of material as required and adjust.Except target component detected, optical system can also be monitored other chemical constitution that whether has the light that absorbs different wave length in the batch of material.System can monitor the detection case of these other wavelength, perhaps uses the independent optical sensor of the relative concentration that is constructed to detect other composition in the batch of material.In one embodiment, can be by the CO that produces ₂Detect the fermentation of batch of material.Owing to produce CO during the fermentation ₂, so CO ₂Amount indication fermentation rate, and stopping to discharge CO ₂The time, fermentation also stops.

In another embodiment, can be by detecting light detects the chemical constitution in the batch of material by the sensor of the refractive index of batch of material liquid existence.With reference to Figure 16, show refractive index detection system 309, it comprises light source 531, liquid chamber 532/ and photosensor array 535.One sheet glass can be isolated light source 531 and liquid 501, allows light to pass through liquid chamber 532 simultaneously.Light beam is with the first fixing angle θ ₁The junction of contact glass and liquid, and light beam is refracted at intersection, thus cause the crooked second angle θ of light beam ₂Sensor array 535 is disposed in the relative side of liquid chamber 523 in the mode of aligned structure, to detect refraction angle θ ₂Anaclasis is described by Snell law, and this law points out that incident angle passes through sin θ ₁/ sin θ ₂=v ₁/ v ₁=n ₁/ n ₂Or n ₁Sin θ ₁=n ₂Sin θ ₂Relevant with refraction angle.Variable-definition in these formula is as follows: v ₁And v ₂Be the wave velocity by each medium, θ ₁And θ ₂Be respectively the angle between normal plane (at the interface) and the incident light, and n ₁And n ₂Be refractive index.

Different liquid can have different refractive indexes.Therefore, the liquid refractive index that contains the particular chemical composition can be different from the liquid refractive index that does not contain this chemical constitution.In this embodiment, system detects suitable chemical association according to the refractive index that is detected.If refraction angle is not in desired scope, then system can make flow controller prevent that liquid 501 from flowing out from reservoir vessel.Owing to must accurately detect the angle of refract light, therefore can use lasing light emitter to measure refraction angle.

In one embodiment, the mechanism for testing of small-sized rectification systems can also detect the pH level of batch of material, and chemicals is joined in the batch of material, and to keep the pH level between about 4.0-5.0, this may be the optimum pH level of fermentation.With reference to Figure 17, in one embodiment, can use pH sensor 310 to detect the pH level of batch of material.The pH sensor can comprise and the pH electrode 651 of insulation tube sealing that this insulation tube comprises the solution that contacts, has fixed pH value with the silver-silver chloride half cell.Electromotive force and stable the comparing with reference to electromotive force that film produces will be crossed.PH electrode 651 has the porous structure that allows batch of material liquid inflow specimen zone.Power supply 659 links to each other with pH electrode 651 with voltmeter 655.PH electrode 651 is exposed in the batch of material liquid, and resistance and pH level are proportional.The output signal of pH electrode 651 is detected by voltmeter 655.

The pH level is defined as pH=-log (H+), the H+ hydrogen concentration that is solution under room temperature usually wherein, and batch of material is provided is the indication of acidity or alkalescence.The pH scale in 0 (acidity) to the scope of 14 (alkalescence).The output terminal of pH sensor links to each other with controller 657, and this controller 657 with the pH codomain target pH value of the batch of material that detected relatively.In one embodiment, the target pH value of batch of material is 4-5, and perhaps desired value can be determined according to the look-up table that is stored in the storer.If the pH value is outside desired value or target zone, then system can give the alarm to the operator, perhaps automatically regulates the pH level by adding acidity or basic matterial.System can monitor the pH level continuously, and adjusts as required, to keep the pH level in target zone.

In another embodiment, mechanism for testing can also detect the amount of the dissolved oxygen DO in the batch of material.In order to realize optimum fermentation, batch of material comprises the dissolved oxygen DO of minimum flow.With reference to Figure 18, it shows oxygen induction system 312.The example technique that is used to measure dissolved oxygen DO comprises dissolved oxygen sensor 805, and it comprises anode 807 and the negative electrode 809 that is immersed in the electrolyte in sensor body.Oxygen enters in the sensor by means of diffusing through permeable film 811, and in the reduction of negative electrode 809 places, to produce measurable electric current.Negative electrode 809 is a hydrogen electrode, and has negative potential with respect to anode 807.The film 811 of oxygen permeable is also isolated batch of material liquid to be determined and anode 807 and negative electrode 809, and the oxygen transverse dispersion is by film 811.Do not having under the situation of oxygen, negative electrode 809 is by hydrogen polarization, and the impedance electric current is mobile.When oxygen passes through film, negative electrode 809 depolarizations, and consume electrons.Negative electrode 809 is hydroxide ion with electrochemical means with hydrogen reduction, and anode 807 and unpolarized product reaction, and correspondingly discharges electronics.The inner member of oxygen and probe interacts, to produce electric current.The output signal of dissolved oxygen sensor can be for being the variable voltage of unit with the microvolt, and detect the electric current that flows through circuit by galvanometer 805.Electrode pair 807 and 811 makes electric current to flow through with the direct proportional mode of the amount of the oxygen that enters sensor.The amplitude of electric current is directly the measuring of amount that enters the oxygen of probe.There are linear relationship in oxygen concentration and electric current.The output terminal of galvanometer 805 links to each other with controller 813, and this controller 813 calculates the level of dissolved oxygen DO based on the electric current that is detected.

The amount of dissolved oxygen DO can influence fermentation rate in the batch of material.In one embodiment, dissolved oxygen levels be 10% or lower be acceptable, but higher level (for example 20%) can reduce fermentation rate.Can be by ventilative and batch of material stirred the oxygen of controlling dissolving.By stirrer being immersed in below the batch of material and reducing rotational speed, can reduce the level of dissolved oxygen DO.In one embodiment, system can monitor the level of dissolved oxygen DO, and the level of the dissolved oxygen DO by adjusting stirrer position and rate controlled batch of material is in predetermined scope.

Mechanism for testing also can be measured the resistance of batch of material.Electrolyte in the batch of material reduces resistance.In one embodiment, batch of material comprises the electrolyte of specific concentrations.With reference to Figure 19, electric resistance sensor 313 contacts with the test container 503 that holds batch of material sample 501, and described container comprises two electrodes 507, and this electrode 507 has known length, be arranged in parallel, and the known distance of being separated by " D ".Voltage 511 is imposed on electrode 507, and the resistance of the batch material sample between the potential electrode 507.Highly purified batch of material solution has higher resistance.Yet when the salt as sodium chloride was dissolved in the water, sodium temporarily separated with chlorion.Sodium can become positively charged ion, and chlorion becomes electronegative example.Ion plays electrolytical effect in being dissolved in water the time, and makes batch of material liquid more conduct electricity.Therefore, when applying voltage for sensor electrode 507, the resistance of batch of material sample 501 and electrolytical concentration are inversely proportional.Higher concentration can reduce resistance.The pass of voltage and resistance is the electric current of the voltage of (R) resistance=(V)/(I).Sensor can comprise two electrodes 507, and is applied with fixing voltage along lead.Electrode is by making such as conductive materials such as metals, and should be corrosion-resistant.Can be by determine the resistance of batch of material with the electric current between the galvanometer 509 mensuration electrodes.Galvanometer 509 can link to each other with controller 513, and this controller 513 may add electrolyte, to adjust the resistance of batch of material.For example, if the batch of material resistance that is detected in target zone, controller 513 allows small-sized rectification systems to continue to handle batch of material.In contrast be that if the specimen of batch of material has the resistance that is higher than optimized scope, controller 513 can be tackled by add electrolyte in batch of material.If the resistance of measuring is lower than optimized scope, this may represent that batch of material contains excessive electrolyte, salt or other may reduce the impurity of fermenting speed.System can tackle by the following method: the fermentation process that finishes batch of material cleans fermentation tank then, to carry out removing all impurity before any additional fermentation process.In one embodiment, look-up table can comprise the optimal data of the sensing data of above-mentioned some or all.Then, system can the monitoring sensor data, and with sensing data and look-up table relatively, with the monitoring fermentation process.Owing to may relate to lot of data, so sensor is constructed to the part of central network, thereby analyzes and predicted batch fermentation process situation.

In addition, as the sensor of the batch of material that is used for testing fermentation tank, small-sized rectification systems can also comprise whether one or more detections have the sensor of the water that mixes with ethanol in the outlet of film separation system and/or hold-up vessel.Sensor links to each other with the controller of monitoring water cut.If exceed maximum water holding capacity, small-sized rectification systems controller can send alarm signal.Having water in the ethanol may have problems when it is used as automotive fuel.In one embodiment, small-sized rectification systems can detect the water in the ethanol in the hold-up vessel, and handles ethanol in the mode at water when before being pumped into vehicle ethanol being mixed with gasoline.In one embodiment, the maximum ratio of ethanol and water may be foundation with the number percent that detects water in the ethanol.If in ethanol, detect the water of high number percent, then will mix with gasoline, so that the percent of total of the water in the tanks minimizes than the ethanol of low number percent.Perhaps, small-sized rectification systems can carry out extra processing, anhydrates to remove from ethanol by additional still-process.On the contrary,, then the ethanol of higher concentration can be mixed with gasoline, be utilized to prevent excessive water if detect the water of the extremely low number percent of existence.

As discussed above, small-sized rectification systems can be sent to other computing machine with data by network.Can handle and export in various mode by the sensing data that small-sized rectification systems detects.Small-sized rectification systems system has been described to carry out most operational data analysis, and the signal that therefore outputs to computer network comprises status information, perhaps raw material request or reparation/maintenance request.In one embodiment, system can be sent to remote maintenance computing machine (its operating software is operated small-sized rectification systems) with whole original sensor data by network.The maintenance calculations machine can be analyzed the data that detected, and carries out some or all and calculate, and with the state of definite different system, and transmits raw material request or reparation/maintenance request.Then, the maintenance calculations machine can show this status information, perhaps raw material request or reparation/maintenance request.

In one embodiment, system can be according to viewer's difference and shows sensing data in a different manner.Original sensor data may be difficult to monitoring and understand for the user.Yet for the technician who highly trains, the visual display mode that comprises all raw data may be to get rid of the best means of the fault of small-sized rectification systems.Sensor output can also show to scheme tabular form " instrument panel " user model.User model can allow system to show the sensor information that is detected by this way, and described mode provides basic operational status information with the simplification pattern of being understood by the user easily.This figure tabular form instrument panel information can be output on the Internet, make it possible in the world Anywhere small-sized rectification systems is carried out on-line monitoring.User model figure tabular form instrument panel data can comprise: the level of raw material level, water, ethanol level, fermentation ends timetable, plan schedule in the future and raw material are carried date or services and repairs date.

Should be appreciated that system of the present invention is described with reference to specific embodiment, yet, under the situation of the scope that does not depart from system of the present invention, can carry out various interpolations, omission and change to these embodiments.For example, described identical process can be used for other device.Though the system of having described comprises various parts, should be appreciated that these parts and described structure can change, and rearrange with various other structures.

Claims

1. small-sized purifier comprises:

Fermentation tank, described fermentation tank are used to ferment and comprise the batch of material of water, sugar and yeast;

Be used to distill the distillation cascade of ethanol, described distillation cascade has a plurality of segmentations and links to each other with described fermentation tank;

Bindiny mechanism, described bindiny mechanism are used for a plurality of segmentations of described distillation cascade are fixed together separably;

The universal joint mechanism that links to each other with described distillation cascade, described universal joint mechanism is used to make described distillation cascade vertically to align;

With the filter mechanism that described distillation cascade links to each other, described filter mechanism be used for ethanol and moisture from; And

Be used to store the hold-up vessel of ethanol, described hold-up vessel links to each other with described filter mechanism.

2. device according to claim 1, wherein said bindiny mechanism comprises a plurality of mortise pins and the hook around the external diameter that is fixed on described distillation cascade, described mortise pin and hook are fitted to each other, thereby the segmentation of described distillation cascade is linked to each other, and described mortise pin separates mutually with hook, thereby the segmentation of described distillation cascade is separated.

3. device according to claim 1 also comprises a plurality of perforated boards, and described perforated board is spaced apart vertically and parallel to each other basically, and is installed in the described distillation cascade along the direction that tilts.

4. device according to claim 3 also comprises the board component that links to each other with described a plurality of perforated boards, and wherein said board component is installed in the described distillation cascade.

5. device according to claim 1 also comprises the gyrator of the vertical alignment that is used to keep described distillation cascade, and this gyrator links to each other with described distillation cascade.

6. the turning axle of the rotor in the device according to claim 5, wherein said gyrator aligns with the vertical axes of described distillation cascade.

7. device according to claim 1 also comprises the perforated membrane that links to each other with described filter mechanism, this perforated membrane have a plurality of greater than stream molecule, but less than the hole of ethanol vapour molecule.

8. device according to claim 7, the diameter of the hole of wherein said perforated membrane is between about 3 to 30 Ethylmercurichlorendimides.

9. small-sized purifier comprises:

With the distillation cascade that described fermentation tank links to each other, described distillation cascade is used to distill ethanol;

With the registration mechanism that described distillation cascade links to each other, described registration mechanism is used to keep the vertical alignment of described distillation cascade;

With the filter mechanism that described distillation cascade links to each other, described filter mechanism be used for ethanol and moisture from;

With the hold-up vessel that described filter mechanism links to each other, described hold-up vessel is used to store described ethanol;

Sensor, described sensor detect the physical property of described batch of material in fermentation step;

CPU, it receives the signal of the physical property of the described batch of material of expression from described sensor, and determines whether the physical property of described batch of material is in outside the tolerance interval, if described physical property is in outside the tolerance interval, then described CPU sends alarm signal.

10. device according to claim 9, wherein said distillation cascade has a plurality of segmentations, and bindiny mechanism is used for a plurality of segmentations of described distillation cascade are fixed together separably.

11. device according to claim 10, wherein said bindiny mechanism comprises a plurality of mortise pins and the hook around the external diameter that is fixed on described distillation cascade, described mortise pin and hook are fitted to each other, thereby the segmentation of distillation cascade is linked to each other, and described mortise pin separates mutually with hook, thereby the segmentation of described distillation cascade is separated.

12. device according to claim 9 also comprises a plurality of perforated boards, described perforated board is spaced apart vertically and parallel to each other basically, and is installed in the described distillation cascade along the direction that tilts.

13. device according to claim 12 also comprises the board component that links to each other with described a plurality of perforated boards, wherein said board component is installed in the described distillation cascade.

14. device according to claim 9 also comprises the gyrator that links to each other with described distillation cascade, this gyrator is used to keep the vertical alignment of described distillation cascade.

15. the turning axle of the rotor in the device according to claim 9, wherein said gyrator aligns with the vertical axes of described distillation cascade.

16. device according to claim 9, wherein said CPU is with described physical property and comprise that the look-up table of the optimized scope of described physical property compares.

17. device according to claim 9 also comprises the perforated membrane that links to each other with described filter mechanism, this perforated membrane have a plurality of greater than stream molecule, but less than the hole of ethanol vapour molecule.

18. device according to claim 14, the diameter of the described hole of wherein said perforated membrane is between about 3 to 30 Ethylmercurichlorendimides.

19. device according to claim 18 also comprises:

First apotheca, described first apotheca is used to store first chemical constitution; And

First valve, described first valve is controlled by described CPU, and is installed between described first apotheca and the described fermentation tank;

Wherein said physical property is the concentration of described first chemical constitution in the described batch of material, if and the concentration of described first chemical constitution is positioned at outside the acceptable scope, then described CPU opens described first valve, so that described first chemical constitution is joined in the described fermentation tank.

20. device according to claim 9 also comprises the thermoelectric mechanism that is used for the described batch of material of heating and cooling, this thermoelectricity mechanism links to each other with described fermentation tank, and has two sheet metals that are installed in ceramic core body opposite side.