Classifications

• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D01—NATURAL OR MAN-MADE THREADS OR FIBRES; SPINNING
  • D01B—MECHANICAL TREATMENT OF NATURAL FIBROUS OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL TO OBTAIN FIBRES OF FILAMENTS, e.g. FOR SPINNING
  • D01B1/00—Mechanical separation of fibres from plant material, e.g. seeds, leaves, stalks
  • D01B1/10—Separating vegetable fibres from stalks or leaves
  • D01B1/14—Breaking or scutching, e.g. of flax; Decorticating
• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D21—PAPER-MAKING; PRODUCTION OF CELLULOSE
  • D21B—FIBROUS RAW MATERIALS OR THEIR MECHANICAL TREATMENT
  • D21B1/00—Fibrous raw materials or their mechanical treatment
  • D21B1/04—Fibrous raw materials or their mechanical treatment by dividing raw materials into small particles, e.g. fibres
  • D21B1/12—Fibrous raw materials or their mechanical treatment by dividing raw materials into small particles, e.g. fibres by wet methods, by the use of steam
• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D21—PAPER-MAKING; PRODUCTION OF CELLULOSE
  • D21B—FIBROUS RAW MATERIALS OR THEIR MECHANICAL TREATMENT
  • D21B1/00—Fibrous raw materials or their mechanical treatment
  • D21B1/04—Fibrous raw materials or their mechanical treatment by dividing raw materials into small particles, e.g. fibres
  • D21B1/12—Fibrous raw materials or their mechanical treatment by dividing raw materials into small particles, e.g. fibres by wet methods, by the use of steam
  • D21B1/30—Defibrating by other means
  • D21B1/36—Explosive disintegration by sudden pressure reduction

Definitions

• the invention relates to the field of refining plant fibers by steam explosion.
• Fibers from plants grown for industrial purposes are generally used for agro-food, cosmetics, structural or building insulation, filler applications in composite materials and in the textile industry.
• the refining is carried out in a known manner by a chemical treatment in a basic medium in order to degrade the non-cellulosic components, in particular the pectins and the lignin which forms a natural adhesive.
• Chemical refining causes degradation of the cellulosic fiber, in particular by shortening, results in a decrease in mechanical properties and has environmental disadvantages.
• the invention improves the situation.
• the Applicant has developed a system and a complete, reliable and automatable process for refining vegetable fibers by steam explosion.
• the invention proposes an industrial system for refining vegetable fibers by steam explosion, comprising:
• valve separating the prechamber and the spark gap in the closed state and releasing a passage of diameter of at least the minimum of the diameters of the prechamber and the spark gap in the open state
• a washing installation arranged inside the spark gap to rinse the walls of the spark gap and drag them down,
• the system is suitable for mass processing of fibers.
• the flow may be of the order of 12 tons per day with a risk of clogging or very low blockage.
• the charger comprises a robotic arm capable of loading at least the antechamber with one or more javelets at a time.
• the charger is designed to charge one javelle at a time.
• the robotic arm may be moving on more than two axes.
• the charger is able to load on demand several prechambers.
• a funnel chute is installed above the upstream valve.
• the system comprises a plurality of prechambers, equipped with upstream and downstream valves, arranged above said spark gap to supply said spark gap.
• Each prechamber is designed for pressurizing the fibrous stems.
• said basket is a drip.
• the permeability of the basket allows the liquid to flow as long as the fibers are in said basket.
• the system comprises a rotary barrel provided with at least the receiving chamber, the spin chamber, and an unloading chamber. The spinning step of the fiber is carried out in the receiving basket.
• the barrel offers a small footprint and can be driven in a compact and simple way.
• the system comprises a fibrous plant bale opener and a fibrous plant conditioner in javelins of lower density than the bales.
• the javelles are of dimensions adapted to the prechamber and the valves.
• the prechamber can be provided for two javelles superimposed.
• the liquid recuperator includes a recirculation circuit and a settling tank.
• the sludge can be withdrawn from the settling tank at regular intervals.
• the spin chamber comprises a rotating basket drive.
• the basket can be rotated about its vertical axis causing increased separation of liquids and fibers.
• the system includes a dryer downstream of the spin chamber, a card and an additional dryer.
• the card can be fed with fibers having a selected moisture content.
• the carding material yield is increased and can exceed 80%, preferably 85%.
• the invention also proposes an industrial process for refining vegetable fibers by steam explosion, comprising steps of:
• the method comprises prior steps of opening fibrous plant bale, and then setting javelle.
• the fibrous plants or fibrous stems are thus arranged in groups of selected volume and density.
• the method comprises subsequent drying steps, preferably to bring the moisture level between 15 and 40%, carding and drying. Carding is optimized.
• the method comprises the steps of energy recovery of the effluents.
• the fibrous plant is hemp, possibly flax, nettle, ramie, kenaf, miscanthus, jute, agave and sisal.
• the fibers have a length of between 15 and 30 mm.
• the fibrous plant is treated with saturated water vapor at a temperature of at least 130 ° C, preferably at least 160 ° C.
• the fibrous plant is treated with saturated water vapor in two stages, one at a temperature of at least 130 ° C, the other at a temperature of at least 180 ° C.
• the fibrous plant is treated with saturated water vapor in two stages, one at a temperature between 130 ° C and 160 ° C, the other at a temperature of between 180 ° C and 150 ° C. 230 ° C, preferably between 200 and 220 ° C.
• the first stage has a duration of between 3 and 6 minutes and the second stage has a duration of between 4 and 8 minutes.
• the pressure is between 2.10 5 and 23.10 5 Pa.
• the fibers have a xylose content of less than 4%, preferably less than 2%.
• the fibers have a pectin content of less than 1%, preferably less than 0.9%.
• the fibers have a lignin level of less than 1%, preferably less than 0.9%.
• long fiber plants usually plant stems
• the balls are loosened and opened mechanically.
• the stems of long fiber plants are put in bunches or javelins of cylindrical shape maintained by a link, for example a string of the same fiber.
• Intermediate storage can be provided allowing continuity of production and homogenization of moisture.
• a robotic arm loads the javelles in a prechamber equipped with an upper valve and a lower valve.
• Said upper and lower valves have a diameter at least equal to the diameter of the prechamber.
• the prechamber may be in the form of a cylinder of revolution.
• Several prechambers can be associated with a single reactor body, also called spark gap.
• the upper and lower valves of the antechamber, in production, are both closed or one open and the other closed.
• the upper valve is open and the lower valve is closed.
• the antechamber can contain one or more javelles. Then the upper valve is closed. The antechamber is put under pressure. The lower valve opening into the spark gap can then be opened, causing a sudden drop in pressure to atmospheric pressure and the explosion of fibrous fiber rods. Fiber explosion also results from dust and waste.
• the spark gap is in the form of a hopper.
• the spark gap may comprise a cylindrical portion of revolution and a frustoconical portion disposed under the cylindrical portion of revolution.
• the spark gap is open at the bottom end.
• the spark gap opens at the bottom end on a barrel.
• the spark gap comprises a laundry, for example in the form of a washing ramp. The washing allows on the one hand to clean the rods of dust or undesirable impurities, for example from the bursting of the rod, and on the other hand to drive the fibers down. The washing is carried out under pressure.
• the barrel comprises several moving chambers, a first chamber disposed under the spark gap, while a second chamber is in the spinning position and a third chamber in the unloading position.
• a basket is placed in each room.
• the basket in the first chamber collects the fibers under the spark gap.
• a liquid phase is evacuated under the basket.
• the organic load can be recovered after treatment.
• the basket in the second chamber holds the fibers while spinning. Spinning can be done by centrifugation.
• the basket in the third chamber is removed from said third chamber.
• FIG. 1 is a diagram of process steps
• FIG. 2 is a general view of the system, upstream part
• FIG. 3 is a general view of the system, downstream part, according to one embodiment
• FIG. 4 is a general view of the system, downstream part, according to another embodiment
• the fibrous stems can be made from hemp, flax, nettle, ramie, kenaf, miscanthus, jute, agave and sisal.
• step 1 fibrous stems bales from long fiber plants, for example hemp, are opened.
• the bales come from a storage allowing a regularization of the production and a homogenization of the rate of humidity.
• step # 2 the fibrous stems are packed in cylindrical cylindrical jets. The cylindrical shape of revolution allows to easily introduce the javelles in tubes and optimizes the loading of tubular zones.
• step 3 the javelles are transported by a conveyor. This step is optional depending on the arrangement of the machines. Machines mounted in the immediate vicinity make it possible to do without a dedicated conveyor.
• step 4 the javelles gripped by a clamp are presented in an inlet chute.
• the clamp can be carried by a robotic arm.
• step No. 5 a javelle disposed in the chute is introduced into a prechamber by opening an inlet valve while an outlet valve is closed.
• step No. 6 the introduction valve in the prechamber is closed, the outlet valve remaining closed.
• step No. 7 the prechamber is pressurized, for example at a pressure of between 2.10 5 Pa and 23.10 5 Pa.
• step # 8 the outlet valve is open.
• the pressure in the prechamber drops in less than 500 ms at atmospheric pressure.
• the fibrous stem breaks into fibers.
• Pectin and lignin are in solution.
• the fibers descend by gravity into the spark gap which comprises a tank.
• step 9 the prechamber outlet valve is closed after the descent of the javelle into the spark gap.
• step # 5 may be repeated as soon as step 9 is completed.
• Steps 5 to 9 can be executed in parallel in several prechambers feeding a single spark gap. Said execution in parallel may be slightly offset temporally so that the openings of the outlet valves are shifted by at least a few seconds.
• step h ° 10 the washing of the spark gap makes it possible to drive the fibers downwards.
• the spark gap can contain the fibers corresponding to several javelins.
• step No. 1 the fibers pass from the bottom of the spark gap to a basket. Draining occurs. The liquids are recovered in a tank forming the decanter.
• step # 12 the basket containing the drained fibers passes into a spin station.
• Spinning can be carried out by centrifugation, in particular by rotating the basket.
• Step 12 may comprise a first substep followed by a second sub-step spinning step, especially in a higher speed machine. The spin in two times separated by a rest period allows a more efficient spin.
• Step No. 12 may also include a transfer of the fiber laden basket from one machine to another.
• step 13 the basket containing the dewatered fibers passes into an unloading station.
• the basket is then emptied of the fibers it contains, by overthrow of said basket or by blowing or pushing fibers.
• step 14 the basket goes back under the spark gap to be loaded again with fibers, cf step No. 1.
• step No. 15 the fibers are dried to a moisture content of between 15 and 40%.
• step # 16 the fibers are carded. Carding involves combing the fibers.
• step # 17 final drying of the fibers is conducted.
• step 18 the dried fibers are packaged, for example in bundles.
• the fibrous rod treatment plant is intended for the production of fibers for industrial use.
• the plant comprises a fiber rod supply zone 20 located upstream of a reactor 21, the reactor 21 and a fiber treatment zone 22 located downstream of the reactor. Operators were shown to show the scale of the installation, without this indicating a manual operation.
• the installation comprises a hall 30 for receiving and storing raw materials, here fibrous stems.
• the fibrous stems are received in the form of square or parallelepiped bales 23. Downstream of the hall 30, there is provided an opening 31 of bales of fibrous stems.
• the opener 31 severes the links of the ball and spreads the fibrous stems to reduce the density.
• a javelle 24 is formed of fibrous rods together in a cylinder of revolution.
• the dimensions of a javelle 24 depend on the size of the prechamber. The diameter is chosen according to the diameter of the inlet of the reactor described below.
• the conveyor 33 Downstream of the conditioner 32 is installed a conveyor 33.
• the conveyor 33 is able to move the javelles 24 from one point to another of the supply zone 20.
• the conveyor 33 is elevator.
• the conveyor 33 may be horizontal or downhill.
• the conveyor 33 may also form a buffer storage.
• a storage table 34 Downstream of the conveyor 33 is a storage table 34.
• the storage table 34 can be motorized to advance the javelins 24 to measure.
• the installation comprises a loading clamp 35.
• the gripper 35 may be carried by a robotic arm 36.
• the gripper 35 is designed to grip a javelle 24 and to orient it in a direction suitable for entry into the reactor 21.
• the members of the installation located in the hall 30 to the robotic arm 36, in the upstream to downstream direction, are mounted in the supply zone 20.
• the reactor 21 is organized vertically downhill from upstream to downstream.
• the reactor 21 comprises a frustoconical chute 40.
• the chute 40 is installed near the clamp 35.
• the reactor 21 comprises three chutes 40.
• the chutes 40 are parallel axes.
• the troughs 40 have a frustoconical upstream portion flared upstream and a cylindrical downstream portion of revolution.
• a valve 41 is disposed downstream of each chute 40.
• the valve 41 is liquid and gas tight.
• the valve 41 has a passage in the open state of diameter at least equal to the minimum inside diameter of the chute 40. The valve 41 is controlled.
• the reactor 21 comprises prechambers 42, each associated with a valve 41.
• the prechamber 42 is in the form of a cylindrical tube of revolution.
• the diameter of the prechamber 42 is substantially equal to the minimum inner diameter of the chute 40.
• the prechamber 42 may contain at least one javelle 24, here two.
• the prechamber 42 is equipped with a pressurizing member, for example with water vapor.
• a valve 43 is disposed downstream of each prechamber 42.
• the valve 43 is liquid and gas tight.
• the valve 43 has an open passage of diameter at least equal to the minimum inner diameter of the prechamber 42.
• the valve 43 is controlled.
• the valve 43 is fast opening (less than 500 ms).
• Downstream of the valve 43, the reactor 21 comprises a spark gap 44.
• the top of the spark gap 44 is pierced with lumens closed off by the valves 43.
• the spark gap 44 comprises a central portion in the form of a cylinder of revolution placed under the top and a frustoconical lower portion of decreasing diameter downwards.
• the spark gap 44 may have a volume of between 5 and 20 m 3 .
• the lower end of the spark gap 44 is open and opens on a multi-chamber rotating barrel 45.
• the rotation of the barrel 45 may be discontinuous.
• the diameters of the chute 40, the open valve 41, prechamber 42 and the open valve 43 are equal, facilitating the descent of the
• the fibrous rods of the javelins 24 can be introduced into the antechamber 42, the lower valve 43 being closed and the upper valve 41 being open. Then, the upper valve 41 is closed.
• the fibrous stems, here hemp, javelles 24 can be treated in prechamber 42 with saturated steam for 5 minutes at 140 ° C and then for 5 minutes at 200 ° C. Fibers of 69.7% glucose, 3% xylose, 0.85% lignin and 0.87% pectin are obtained. The fiber length distribution is in Figure 5a.
• the fibrous stems can be treated with saturated steam for 5 minutes at 140 ° C. and then for 7 minutes at 220 ° C.
• the levels of lignin, pectin and especially xylose are reduced.
• Fibers of 73.2% glucose, 1.9% xylose, 0.75% lignin and 0.79% pectin are obtained.
• the composition of the fibrous stem of hemp before explosion is glucose 40.1%, xylose 7.9%, lignin 3.2% and pectin 21%.
• the fiber length distribution is in Figure 5b.
• the fibers are shorter than in the previous mode, in particular absence of fibers longer than 70 mm and low fiber content longer than 50 mm.
• the lengths are more homogeneous with a maximum frequency greater than 40%.
• compositions were determined by acid hydrolysis and analysis of simple sugars by ion chromatography.
• the lignin content was determined gravimetrically.
• the pectin content was determined by spectroscopic analysis.
• the prechamber 42 is closed. Valves 41 and 43 are closed. Then the valve 43 is opened causing a sudden drop in the pressure in the prechamber 42.
• the sudden drop in pressure causes the fibrous rods to burst into fibers and the release of residues of non-cellulosic components, including pectins and lignins as natural glue to a fibrous stem.
• the fibers resulting from exploded fiber rods descend by gravity into the spark gap 44.
• the material yield is between 85 and 90%.
• washing ramp 46 is activated to wash the spark gap 44 with pressurized water. The washing also helps the fibers to descend down the spark gap 44.
• the wash water is water without voluntary supply of soda. Wash water is water from a drinking water system.
• the barrel 45 is provided with a plurality of chambers 47.
• the chambers 47 are open at both ends.
• the barrel 45 is rotatable about an axis parallel to the axis of the spark gap 44, generally a vertical axis.
• the number of chambers 47 of the barrel 45 is at least three.
• the barrel 45 is discontinuously rotated.
• the minimum number of rooms 47 corresponds to the number of active positions also called stations.
• Each chamber 47 is provided to receive a basket 48 temporarily.
• the basket 48 may be made of perforated sheet metal or wire. Basket 48 retains the fibers and lets the liquids pass.
• the fiber receiving chamber 47 is located under the lower end of the spark gap 44.
• the fibers are drained into the basket 48.
• the barrel 45 is rotated and an empty basket is presented to the receiving station under the spark gap 44.
• the basket 48 filled with fibers is brought at a spin station. At the spin station, there is provided a rotation drive basket 48. By centrifugal effect, an additional amount of water is extracted from the fibers.
• the barrel 45 is rotated. The barrel 45 brings the spinning fibers into the basket 48 to an unloading station in which the basket 48 is extracted from the chamber 47 of the barrel 45.
• each chamber corresponds to a station. Simultaneously can be performed, loading a fiber basket under the spark gap 44 and draining the fibers, spinning fibers in a basket filled with previously drained fibers, and extracting a basket of dewatered fibers. out of the chamber 47 and the introduction of an empty basket in the chamber 47.
• a number of rooms 47 greater than three may be provided, especially to allow additional drainage between the station and loading station and the spin station, or to allow to introduce an empty basket in a chamber 47 after the unloading station and before the receiving station.
• an empty basket refilling station can be provided.
• the barrel 45 comprises at least four chambers 47.
• the reactor 21 comprises a liquid recuperator 49.
• the liquid recuperator 49 is disposed under the basket 48 and under the spark gap 44.
• the liquid recuperator 49 comprises a settling tank 50.
• the settling tank 50 is provided with an upper opening 51 receiving the dewatering liquids. Between the upper opening 51 and the barrel 45 may be arranged a frustum cone 52 forming a funnel.
• the settling tank 50 may be in the form of an elongate cylinder of horizontal axis. The settling tank 50 also receives liquids from the wiper station via a line 55.
• Downstream of the settling tank 50 may be provided a degassing member 53 connected to the top of the settling tank 50.
• a pipe 54 disposed in the lower part of the settling tank 50 allows the removal of sludge.
• a degassing orifice connected to a pipe 56 may be provided near the top of the spark gap 44.
• the pipe 56 is connected to the degassing member 53.
• the degassing member 53 is common to the spark gap 44 and the settling tank 50.
• the basket unloading station containing dewatered fibers is associated with a gripper 60 which grips the basket 48 by moving it out of the chamber 47.
• the outlet of the basket 48 from the chamber 47 can be made by a linear actuator 59 disposed in the lower position and pushing the basket 48 upwards. Basket 48 enters the downstream treatment zone 22.
• a wringer 61 In the treatment zone 22 is provided a wringer 61.
• the wringer 61 may be in the form of a rotary drum.
• the wringer 61 receives a basket 48 loaded with fibers having already underwent a first spin in the barrel 45 and intended to undergo a second spin.
• the transfer of the fiber-loaded basket 48 from the chamber 47 to the wringer 61 can be carried out by the clamp 60.
• the clamp 60 can be carried by a lifting robot 62.
• an unloading machine 63 for discharging the fibers of a basket 48.
• the unloading machine 63 is disposed downstream of the wringer 61.
• a conveyor 64 can be arranged between the wringer 61 and the unloading machine 63.
• the unloading machine 63 comprises a gripper 65 carried by a lifting robot 66 for moving a basket loaded with fibers at least in a vertical plane, and an unloading chamber 67 provided for receiving the basket 48 loaded with fibers and a thrust member 68 acting in the bottom of the unloading chamber 67 by pushing the fibers while leaving the basket 48 in place in the unloading chamber 67.
• the pushing member 68 can understand an actuator and a plurality of fingers passing through holes in the bottom of the basket 48.
• the unloading machine 63 also comprises a pusher 69 of horizontal axis.
• the pusher 69 is provided to push the fibers above the basket 48 towards a conveyor.
• the pusher 69 may comprise a linear actuator and a blade or rake. The fibers are then in piles 25.
• FIG. 4 shows the conveyor 64 in part, the members upstream of the conveyor 64 being common with the first embodiment.
• the unloading machine 63 comprises a reeder 70 of basket 48 loaded with fibers.
• the reedger 70 grasps the basket 48 loaded with fibers and comes back so that the bottom of the basket 48 is in the upper position and the opening of the basket in the lower position. The fibers then fall from the basket 48 into a pile 25.
• a substantially horizontal conveyor 71 receives the fibers from the unloading machine 63.
• the conveyor 71 carries a plurality of piles of fibers.
• the plant comprises, from upstream to downstream, a first dryer 72 for drying the pile fibers 25, a carder 73, a second dryer 74 for drying the fibers in heap 25 and a conditioner 75.
• the first dryer 72 comprises a motorized fan.
• the second dryer 74 may comprise the same elements as the first dryer 72.
• the carder 73 may comprise one or more metal combs for separating and aligning the fibers positioned as mattresses on the conveyor 71.
• the carding efficiency is increased for a rate of fiber moisture between 15 and 40%, preferably between 20 and 35%, more preferably between 25 and 34%.
• Carding of dry fibers with a moisture content of between 4 and less than 15% causes the breaking of part of the fibers and thus generates dust and shortening of said fibers. It can be interesting to do without drying post carding. In this case, the carded fibers are directly conditioned, in particular for the purpose of spinning.
• the conditioner 75 gathers fibers from several heaps 25.
• the conditioner 75 binds the fibers into bundles 26, for example parallelepipedal bundles.
• the fibers, in particular hemp, have a length of between 15 and 30 mm.
• the invention provides a physical treatment of fibrous plants to obtain fibers.
• the treatment is solvent-free, without the addition of bases.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
• Textile Engineering (AREA)
• Treatment Of Fiber Materials (AREA)
• Nonwoven Fabrics (AREA)
• Preliminary Treatment Of Fibers (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (3)

Family

ID=62143270

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (7)

Cited By (1)

Family Cites Families (20)

• 2017
  • 2017-12-19 FR FR1762418A patent/FR3075226B1/fr active Active
• 2018
  • 2018-12-18 WO PCT/FR2018/053381 patent/WO2019122694A1/fr unknown
  • 2018-12-18 ES ES18836284T patent/ES2955332T3/es active Active
  • 2018-12-18 US US16/955,278 patent/US11111604B2/en active Active
  • 2018-12-18 CN CN201880089264.5A patent/CN111801447B/zh active Active
  • 2018-12-18 EP EP18836284.2A patent/EP3724379B1/de active Active
  • 2018-12-18 CA CA3086378A patent/CA3086378A1/fr active Pending

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events