GB2458529A - Extracting energy products from biomass using solar energy - Google Patents
Extracting energy products from biomass using solar energy Download PDFInfo
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- GB2458529A GB2458529A GB0805423A GB0805423A GB2458529A GB 2458529 A GB2458529 A GB 2458529A GB 0805423 A GB0805423 A GB 0805423A GB 0805423 A GB0805423 A GB 0805423A GB 2458529 A GB2458529 A GB 2458529A
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- biomass
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- 239000002028 Biomass Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 75
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 62
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 35
- OKKJLVBELUTLKV-UHFFFAOYSA-N Methanol Chemical compound OC OKKJLVBELUTLKV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 24
- QTBSBXVTEAMEQO-UHFFFAOYSA-N Acetic acid Chemical compound CC(O)=O QTBSBXVTEAMEQO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 16
- VNWKTOKETHGBQD-UHFFFAOYSA-N methane Chemical compound C VNWKTOKETHGBQD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 16
- CSCPPACGZOOCGX-UHFFFAOYSA-N Acetone Chemical compound CC(C)=O CSCPPACGZOOCGX-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 15
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 15
- 244000198134 Agave sisalana Species 0.000 claims abstract description 14
- 238000000197 pyrolysis Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 9
- OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon Chemical compound [C] OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 7
- 229910052799 carbon Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract description 7
- 239000011269 tar Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 5
- 244000073231 Larrea tridentata Species 0.000 claims abstract description 4
- 235000006173 Larrea tridentata Nutrition 0.000 claims abstract description 4
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 claims description 15
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 12
- 238000004821 distillation Methods 0.000 claims description 10
- 241000196324 Embryophyta Species 0.000 claims description 8
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 claims description 8
- 240000008042 Zea mays Species 0.000 claims description 7
- 235000016383 Zea mays subsp huehuetenangensis Nutrition 0.000 claims description 7
- 235000002017 Zea mays subsp mays Nutrition 0.000 claims description 7
- 235000009973 maize Nutrition 0.000 claims description 7
- 240000000111 Saccharum officinarum Species 0.000 claims description 6
- 235000007201 Saccharum officinarum Nutrition 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000002699 waste material Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- 244000060011 Cocos nucifera Species 0.000 claims description 4
- 235000013162 Cocos nucifera Nutrition 0.000 claims description 4
- ZOKXTWBITQBERF-UHFFFAOYSA-N Molybdenum Chemical compound [Mo] ZOKXTWBITQBERF-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 4
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000010903 husk Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 229910052750 molybdenum Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000011733 molybdenum Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000002904 solvent Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000002023 wood Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 244000226021 Anacardium occidentale Species 0.000 claims description 2
- 240000007154 Coffea arabica Species 0.000 claims description 2
- DGAQECJNVWCQMB-PUAWFVPOSA-M Ilexoside XXIX Chemical compound C[C@@H]1CC[C@@]2(CC[C@@]3(C(=CC[C@H]4[C@]3(CC[C@@H]5[C@@]4(CC[C@@H](C5(C)C)OS(=O)(=O)[O-])C)C)[C@@H]2[C@]1(C)O)C)C(=O)O[C@H]6[C@@H]([C@H]([C@@H]([C@H](O6)CO)O)O)O.[Na+] DGAQECJNVWCQMB-PUAWFVPOSA-M 0.000 claims description 2
- WHXSMMKQMYFTQS-UHFFFAOYSA-N Lithium Chemical compound [Li] WHXSMMKQMYFTQS-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 2
- 235000020226 cashew nut Nutrition 0.000 claims description 2
- 229920002678 cellulose Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 235000010980 cellulose Nutrition 0.000 claims description 2
- 235000016213 coffee Nutrition 0.000 claims description 2
- 235000013353 coffee beverage Nutrition 0.000 claims description 2
- 229910052744 lithium Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 2
- 229920001296 polysiloxane Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 229910052708 sodium Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000011734 sodium Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 235000014571 nuts Nutrition 0.000 claims 1
- 239000000047 product Substances 0.000 description 37
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 8
- 239000000446 fuel Substances 0.000 description 7
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 5
- UHOVQNZJYSORNB-UHFFFAOYSA-N Benzene Chemical compound C1=CC=CC=C1 UHOVQNZJYSORNB-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- HEMHJVSKTPXQMS-UHFFFAOYSA-M Sodium hydroxide Chemical compound [OH-].[Na+] HEMHJVSKTPXQMS-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 description 3
- YXFVVABEGXRONW-UHFFFAOYSA-N Toluene Chemical compound CC1=CC=CC=C1 YXFVVABEGXRONW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 230000005611 electricity Effects 0.000 description 3
- 241000609240 Ambelania acida Species 0.000 description 2
- CURLTUGMZLYLDI-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon dioxide Chemical compound O=C=O CURLTUGMZLYLDI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 239000010905 bagasse Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000012075 bio-oil Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229910002092 carbon dioxide Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000003610 charcoal Substances 0.000 description 2
- 150000001875 compounds Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000003921 oil Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000000746 purification Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000003860 storage Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000009835 boiling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000001569 carbon dioxide Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004523 catalytic cracking Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000007795 chemical reaction product Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000012141 concentrate Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000470 constituent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000010411 cooking Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002283 diesel fuel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000065 diesel fuel substitute Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000003814 drug Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000007613 environmental effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000000605 extraction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002803 fossil fuel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002737 fuel gas Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000008246 gaseous mixture Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000003306 harvesting Methods 0.000 description 1
- 231100001261 hazardous Toxicity 0.000 description 1
- 230000008676 import Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000002156 mixing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000005416 organic matter Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000007781 pre-processing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000005855 radiation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000007858 starting material Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
- F24S23/00—Arrangements for concentrating solar-rays for solar heat collectors
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C10—PETROLEUM, GAS OR COKE INDUSTRIES; TECHNICAL GASES CONTAINING CARBON MONOXIDE; FUELS; LUBRICANTS; PEAT
- C10B—DESTRUCTIVE DISTILLATION OF CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS FOR PRODUCTION OF GAS, COKE, TAR, OR SIMILAR MATERIALS
- C10B19/00—Heating of coke ovens by electrical means
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C10—PETROLEUM, GAS OR COKE INDUSTRIES; TECHNICAL GASES CONTAINING CARBON MONOXIDE; FUELS; LUBRICANTS; PEAT
- C10B—DESTRUCTIVE DISTILLATION OF CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS FOR PRODUCTION OF GAS, COKE, TAR, OR SIMILAR MATERIALS
- C10B53/00—Destructive distillation, specially adapted for particular solid raw materials or solid raw materials in special form
- C10B53/02—Destructive distillation, specially adapted for particular solid raw materials or solid raw materials in special form of cellulose-containing material
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C10—PETROLEUM, GAS OR COKE INDUSTRIES; TECHNICAL GASES CONTAINING CARBON MONOXIDE; FUELS; LUBRICANTS; PEAT
- C10C—WORKING-UP PITCH, ASPHALT, BITUMEN, TAR; PYROLIGNEOUS ACID
- C10C5/00—Production of pyroligneous acid distillation of wood, dry distillation of organic waste
-
- F24J2/06—
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
- F24S23/00—Arrangements for concentrating solar-rays for solar heat collectors
- F24S23/70—Arrangements for concentrating solar-rays for solar heat collectors with reflectors
- F24S23/74—Arrangements for concentrating solar-rays for solar heat collectors with reflectors with trough-shaped or cylindro-parabolic reflective surfaces
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
- Y02E10/40—Solar thermal energy, e.g. solar towers
- Y02E10/44—Heat exchange systems
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E50/00—Technologies for the production of fuel of non-fossil origin
- Y02E50/10—Biofuels, e.g. bio-diesel
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E50/00—Technologies for the production of fuel of non-fossil origin
- Y02E50/30—Fuel from waste, e.g. synthetic alcohol or diesel
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02P—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
- Y02P20/00—Technologies relating to chemical industry
- Y02P20/10—Process efficiency
- Y02P20/133—Renewable energy sources, e.g. sunlight
Landscapes
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Oil, Petroleum & Natural Gas (AREA)
- Materials Engineering (AREA)
- Organic Chemistry (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Sustainable Development (AREA)
- Sustainable Energy (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Processing Of Solid Wastes (AREA)
Abstract
A method of extracting products from biomass comprises: destructively distilling the biomass, using solar power as an energy source; and collecting the resulting products. The biomass may preferably be sisal, but could also be other forms of biomass. The products extracted may be methane, methanol, acetone, tars, creosotes, pyroligneous acid, carbon or other products. The solar power may include a solar concentrator having parabolic mirrors controlled by electric motors. The biomass may be mixed with a working fluid (e.g. water) before the destructive distillation takes place.
Description
BIOMASS EXTRACTION
The present invention relates to a process for extracting products from biomass, particularly, but not exclusively, to a process for extracting products which may be used as a source of energy, and to apparatus for carrying out the process.
Biomass refers, in its broadest sense, to the total (usually dry) mass of an animal or plant population, although is frequently used to describe organic matter derived primarily from plants. it is known to harvest biomass as a source of energy, for example by burning it or in biogas production, and/or as a chemical feed stock in the semi-synthetic production of certain chemicals such as pharmaceuticals.
However, using biomass as a source of energy or energy products also requires the input of energy at the start of the process, and this is normally done by using conventional energy sources such as fossil fuels, for example oil or gas; wood or possibly biomass itself.
This input of energy can lead to inefficiencies, and may entirely prevent the operation of a process utilising biomass, particularly in regions or countries where swtable fuel is unavailable or is in short supply. We have appreciated, however, that it is often in such countries that there is a relative abundance of biomass material which could be used.
Having appreciated the above, we have now devised a process in which useful products may be extracted from biomass in a very efficient way, particularly in those countries having a large amount of suitable biomass.
Accordingly, in its broadest aspect, the present invention provides a process for extracting products, in particular energy products, from bioniass, which process comprises destructively distilling the biomass using solar power as an energy source, and collecting the resulting products.
in another broad aspect, the invention provides apparatus for extracting products, in particular energy products, from biomass, which apparatus comprises means for destructive distillation of the biomass, and means for converting solar power into heat energy in a form suitable for driving the distillation. -.-
In a preferred aspect, the biomass is sisal, that is, the material of, or derived from, the sisal plant (A gave sisalana).
The invention thus provides a process for extracting products, in particular energy products, from sisal, which process comprises destructively distilling the sisal using solar power as an energy source, and collecting the resulting products.
The invention also provides the use of solar power for the destructive distillation of biomass, particularly sisal.
We have found that, surprisingly, all or substantially all of the energy required for the process of the invention can be supplied by the sun, particularly, but not exclusively, when the process is operated in tropical countries.
Accordingly, the invention also provides a process for extracting products, in particular energy products, from biomass, which process comprises destructively distilling the biomass using solar power as substantially the only energy source, and collecting the resulting products.
Preferably, 50% to 90% or more of the energy needed to operate the process (in terms of the total dnergy requirement of the plant) is supplied by solar power.
More preferably, 95% or more is supplied by solar power.
In a further aspect, the invention provides a process for extracting products, in particular energy products, from biomass, which process comprises (a) heating a fluid using the suns rays (b) destructively distilling the biomass using the heat from the heated fluid and (C) collecting the resulting products.
In a preferred aspect, the sun's rays are concentrated using a solar concentrator in order to heat the fluid in step (a). This improves the efficiency of the heating.
In another aspect, the invention provides apparatus for extracting products, in particular energy products, from biomass, which apparatus comprises (a) means for collecting the sun's rays (b) means for containing a fluid to be heated using the rays collected from (a), (c) a retort for destructively distilling biomass (d) means for transferring heat from the heated fluid from means (b) to the retort to enable heating of the biomass and (e) means for collecting the distilled products.
Preferably, means (a) comprises a solar concentrator for concentrating or focussing the sun's rays.
As will be understood, the term destructive distillation is conventionally used to describe the distillation of complex solid substances such that the ultimate constituents are separated, or evolved as new compounds. The term as used herein is intended to refer to the distillation of biomass in whatever form (for example, solid or liquid), it being appreciated that the biomass will normally be in complex solid form such that the term will usually have its conventional meaning.
The biomass to be used can, in principle, be any substance understood to be covered by this term, although will normally be of plant origin. We prefer to use plant material which grows in hot countries (for example, in tropical regions), since these will be readily available when the process is operated in such countries. These countries are preferred because of their abundance of sunlight. Suitable biomass includes sisal, sugar cane including waste sugar cane (bagasse), wood, maize or maize stems, or material derived from such sources. Other sources include the husks of coffee, cashew nut or coconut. Thick-stemmed plant material is particularly suitable; sisal being particularly preferred. Sisal is particularly advantageous because although it is presently used to make string and cord and such like, only about 4% of the product is used for this purpose. The remainder (about 96%) is simply treated as waste, and is typically left to rot or is burnt. We have appreciated that this waste could, in fact, be put to good use in the present process. Pre-processing of the biomass can be employed if desired, but typically this will simply be to cut the biomass into a suitable size for charging the retort.
The term energy source as used herein is to be understood in the sense that solar power, that is energy from the sun, is the origin, or primary source, of the energy needed for the process, whether or not the solar energy is used directly. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, in solar-powered processes the sun's energy typically needs to be converted or harnessed in some way so as to provide the solar energy n a useable form, rather than using the solar power directly. In the present invention, the solar power is preferably used indirectly.
As described above, substantially all of the energy needed for the process may be provided by solar power, or solar power may be supplemented by other conventional forms of energy if desired or necessary. It is preferred that most, or a substantial proportion, of the energy needed for the process is derived from solar power. Suitably more than 50%, more suitably 70% or more, particularly 80% or more of the total energy requirement of the process is provided by solar power.
Proportions of 90% or more, or even 95% or more are, we believe, possible. The process can thus be operated very efficiently, substantially without the need for conventional fuels with their attendant environmental and other problems. The process also has the advantage of employing a renewable energy resource (i.e. biomass) as the raw starting material.
As wilt be understood, there are energy requirements other than for solely heating the biomass. These include, for example, electricity for the motors to move solar mirrors, pumps and ancillary equipment. Typically, these energy requirements will amount to no more than about 10% of the total energy required to operate the plant. Electricity requirements could be met from the national grid, or, for example, be generated by a separate solar power plant using, for instance, conventional solar panels. Alternatively, or in addition, a conventional electricity generator could be used, potentially powered by some of the products derived from the distillation of the biomass.
In terms of the energy needed to heat the biomass, preferably substantially all of this (that is, up to 100%) is provided by solar power. Suitably at least 50% or more, preferably 70% or 80% or more, more preferably 90% or 95% or more is provided by solar power. A figure in the range 90-100% is preferred.
As alluded to above, we prefer to operate the process in those countries which have an abundance of suitable biomass material, particularly sisal. Suitable regions include much of the third world, particularly the tropics. Kenya is one example of a country having an abundance of sisal, the vast proportion of which goes to waste as described above.
Whilst the sun's rays may be used in unconcentrated form, the process is preferably operated using a solar concentrator to focus the sun's rays. Any suitable means may be used, but we prefer to use one or more parabolic solar mirrors. These are preferably motorised (for example, using an electric motor) such that they may be moved automatically during the day so as to maintain an optimum position, which wilt normally be at right angles to the incident solar radiation. Parabolic solar mirrors concentrate, or focus, the sun's rays at a desired point and can be used, for example, to heat fluid such as water contained in a suitable housing. As will be understood, hot liquid, steam or vapour thus produced, further superheated if desired (for example, by further sets of parabolic solar mirrors), can then be used to supply heat to a retort or still containing the biomass. Suitable heat exchangers may, for example, be used to transfer heat from the hot liquid, steam or vapour to the retort.
The distilled fractions can then be drawn off in a conventional manner.
In a preferred embodiment, the process is operated using a fluid which can be heated or superheated. This enables the solar energy to be transferred as heat to the biomass. In a highly preferred aspect, water is used as the fluid, although in principle any suitable fluid can be employed. Other working fluids may include molten metallic sodium or lithium, although these are potentially extremely hazardous if leakage were to occur. Synthetic organic and/or silicone fluids may be useful, particularly at lower temperatures. Preferably, the fluid, which may for example be in liquid or gaseous form, is superheated. Where water is used, it is preferably boiled by the concentrated solar energy to produce steam. Desirably, the steam is further superheated. The superheated steam can, for example, be produced using solar power, for instance using a further solar concentrator, such as a further set of parabolic solar mirrors. The temperature is not critical, but preferably steam is superheated to a high temperature, for example 500-600°C or more, It will be understood that the temperature will preferably be optimised for the particular conditions required, consideration being given to the type of biomass used, and the nature of the fluid. Routine trial and error will determine the correct temperature for a given process.
The fluid, which is preferably water, may be contained within any suitable means which allows it to be heated by solar energy. Those means may, and typically will, comprise several component parts, as will be readily understood. The means may, for example, comprise a hot liquid, steam or vapour generator, a reservoir and a superheater. When water is employed, for example, a steam generator, a steam reservoir and a superheater may be used. The generator is preferably fabricated from a material which enables good transfer of energy from incident solar rays (which are preferably in concentrated form) to the water or fluid, such that hot liquid, steam or vapour is readily produced. A molybdenum steel tube may, for example, be employed for this purpose. Hot liquid, steam or vapour thus produced may be stored in a reservoir (e.g. a steam reservoir) as conditions dictate. Hot fluid from the reservoir may then be passed to a superheater, itself also preferably made from a molybdenum steel tube or similar material. Preferably, the superheater is exposed to further solar power, suitably in concentrated form, for example, from parabolic solar mirrors, so as to superheat the fluid to a very high temperature. The superheated fluid, which is preferably superheated steam, may then be used to supply heat to a retort where the biomass is distilled.
In a preferred aspect, means for transferring heat from the heated fluid, which is preferably superheated steam, to the retort comprises one or more heat exchangers, although any other suitable means may be used. Those skilled in the art will be familiar with suitable heat exchangers which may be used, it being understood that the aim is to ensure efficient transfer and supply of heat to the retort containing the biomass.
Destructive distillation of the biomass is preferably carried out in a retort suitable for this purpose. The retort may be chosen according to a number of criteria, including the biomass to be used and the general scale of the operation envisaged.
Those skilled in the art will be familiar with suitable retorts which may be used.
The distillation may, for example, be carried out dry, or a solvent such as water or a volatile liquid may be mixed with the biomass.
Suitable means for collecting the distilled energy products include a series of stills as used in conventional distillation processes. One or more gas storage vessels may, for example, also be employed to collect gaseous end products. Appropriate cooing of one or more stills may be used if necessary, depending for example upon the nature of the fraction, the biomass material distilled or the retort temperature. As will be understood, some further processing of the distilled fractions may be required to isolate particular compounds of interest.
The useful energy products obtained from destructive distillation of biomass are normally carbon-based and include methane, methanol, acetone, acetic acid, creosotes, various tars, celluloses, pyroligneous acid, and carbon itself. A certain quantity of water is also usually recovered. Virtually all the recovered products may be used in one way or another, and typically 60% to 65% of the total quantity (by weight) of initial biomass leads to useful energy type products. Energy products are, generally speaking, those which can themselves be further used as a source of energy, for example as fuel. Methane (which typically forms around 25% by weight of total product) is, for example, a useful fuel. Carbon is typically produced as a residue in the retort, in substantially pure form. This can, for example, be processed to give charcoal which can be used as cooking fuel. The exact products of the distillation will be dependent upon the temperature. At higher temperatures, for example 450- 600°C, up to 75% of the biomass may be converted into an oily liquid sometimes known as bio-oil". This can, for example, be useful as a diesel fuel substitute.
Generally speaking, we envisage that the products recovered from the process of the invention will be used locally to meet local needs. This is potentially of great benefit to countries of the developing world, where energy products are often in short supply or are too expensive to import.
In order that the invention may be more fully understood, a specific embodiment thereof will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing, labelled as Fig.1.
Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of apparatus which may be used to carry out the process of the present invention. Parabolic solar mirrors (1) (not shown), controlled by electric motors, are used to focus the sun's rays on to steam generator (2), which contains water, and superheater (3) which contains steam. Steam generator (2) and superheater (3) consist of molybdenum steel tubes, and are linked in series by steam reservoir (4). The concentrated solar energy turns the water in steam generator (2) to steam, which is then collected in steam reservoir (4). The steam then passes through the superheater (3) where it is further heated by the concentrated solar energy to produce superheated steam having a high temperature (approximately 600°C). The superheated steam is then passed through a series of heat exchangers (6) contained within a retort (5), which also contains the biomass.
The biomass is heated in the retort (5) and destructive distillation takes place. The steam is recirculated to steam generator (3) without any direct mixing with the biomass.
A hot, gaseous mixture is driven off from retort (5) and this passes into tar still (7) where the lower fractions containing the highest boiling point substances (for example creosotes and acetic acid) condense. The remaining gases pass into hot liquor still (8) where the secondary fractions (for example, pyroligneous acid, methanol and acetone) condense. The remaining gases are then passed through a water-cooled condensor (9), which further reduces the temperature. The mixture issuing from condensor (9) will typically be mostly in liquid form. The mixture passes into cold liquor still (10) where the remaining fractions are drawn off. A sodium hydroxide solution may, for example, be used in cold liquor still (10) to remove carbon dioxide. The resultant gas is virtually pure methane which is then pumped via gas pump (11) to gas storage vessel (12).
The various fractions can be further processed and/or purified depending upon requirements. Further purification of the methane is generally unnecessary for most purposes, although purification may be carried out. Retort (5) contains a residue of virtually pure carbon, which can be removed and used.
The process of the invention is preferably operated continuously.
Energy products derived from (but not exclusively) sisal include: 1. Methane, which can be processed into methanol or used directly as a fuel gas.
2. Acetic acid, which can also be processed into methanol.
3. Tar, which can be processed by catalytic cracking into CO, C02, H2 and H20, and benzene, toluene and methane.
4. Carbon, (charcoal) which can be processed into CO and H2 (water/producer gases) and then further processed into methanol.
5. Acetone. Not strictly an energy product but a very useful solvent.
6. Methanol. Can be used as a motor fuel substitute or directly in fuel cell configurations.
7. Dependent on the distillation temperature it is possible to produce an oil (bio-oil) which can substitute for diesel oil.
The same or similar products can also be obtained from, for example, waste, sugar cane (bagasse), maize stems and coconut husks.
The invention thus provides a process for extracting one or more of the above products from sisal and other biomass materials including sugar cane, maize, maize stems and coconut husks by destructively distilling the biomass using solar power as an energy source, and collecting the resulting products.
Claims (19)
- CLAIMSI. A method of extracting products from biomass, which method comprises: destructively distilling the biomass, using solar power as an energy source; and collecting the resulting products.
- 2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the products comprise energy products.
- 3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the biomass comprises sisal.
- 4. A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the biomass comprises sugar cane including waste sugar cane, wood, maize or maize stems, coffee husks, cashew nuts, coconuts, thick-stemmed plant material, or material derived from any such sources.
- 5. A method according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, wherein all of the energy required to operate the method is supplied by solar power.
- 6. A method according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, wherein 95% or more of the energy required to operate the process is supplied by solar power, and the remaining energy requirements are met by conventional energy sources.
- 7. A method according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4 wherein 50% to 90% of the energy required to operate the method is supplied by solar power, and the remaining energy requirements are met by conventional energy sources. * * *
- S. S*. 8. A method according to any one of claims ito 7, wherein the method further comprises: heating a fluid using the sun's rays; and * destructively distilling the biomass using the heat from the heated fluid; and collecting the resulting products. S... S. * S *S
- 9. A method according to claim 8, wherein the step of heating a fluid using the sun's rays further comprises concentrating the sun's rays using a solar concentrator in order to heat the fluid.
- 10. A method according to claim 9, wherein the solar concentrator comprises one or more parabolic solar mirrors.
- 11. A method according to claim 10, wherein the one or more parabolic solar mirrors are controlled by electric motors.
- 12. A method according to claim 9, 10 or 11, wherein the solar concentrator heats fluid contained in a suitable housing.
- 13. A method according to claim 12, wherein the fluid comprises water.
- 14. A method according to claim 12, wherein the fluid comprises molten metallic sodium or lithium, synthetic organic fluids, silicone fluids,
- 15. A method according to claim 12, 13 or 14, wherein the heated fluid transfers heat to a retort comprising the biomass to be destructively distilled.
- 16. A method according to claim 15, wherein heat is transferred from the hot fluid to the retort by suitable heat exchangers.
- 17. A method according to claim 13, wherein the water is heated to 500 to 600°C or more.*::: :
- 18. A method according any preceding claim, wherein the biomass to be destructively distilled is a solid.* :*
- 19. A method according to any one preceding claim, wherein the biomass to be destructively distilled is a liquid. * * **** ** * * * * S Is20. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the biomass is pre-processed.21. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the solar energy is converted to another form of energy, before the energy is used to extract products from the biomass.22. A method according to claim any preceding claim, wherein the biomass is mixed with water, a solvent or a volatile liquid prior to destructive distillation.23. Apparatus for extracting products from biomass, which apparatus comprises: means for destructive distillation of the biomass; means for converting solar power into heat energy in a form suitable for driving the distillation; means for collecting the extracted products.24. Apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the products extracted from biomass are energy products.25. Apparatus according to claim 23 or 24, wherein the apparatus further comprises: means for collecting the sun's rays; means for containing a fluid to be heated using the sun's rays; a retort for destructively distilling biomass; means for transferring heat from the heated fluid to the retort to enable heating of the biomass.26. Apparatus according to claim 25, wherein the means for collecting the sun's *::: :* rays comprises a solar concentrator for focussing the sun's rays.27. Apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the solar concentrator for focussing the sun's rays comprises one or more parabolic solar mirrors. *.** * * * S.. S. * * S **28. Apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the solar parabolic mirrors are motorised.29. Apparatus according to claim 25, 26, 27 or 28, wherein the means for transferring heat from the heated fluid to the retort to enable heating of the biomass comprises suitable heat exchangers.30. Apparatus according to claim 25, 26, 27, 28 or 29, wherein the means for containing a fluid to be heated using the sun's rays further comprises any one or more of a hot liquid, steam or vapour generator; a reservoir for storing the hot liquid, steam or vapour; a superheater.31. Apparatus according to claim 30, wherein any one or more of the steam or vapour generator, the reservoir for storing hot liquid, steam or vapour or the superheater are made from a molybdenum steel tube.32. Apparatus according to claim 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, wherein the means for collecting the distilled products comprises a series of gas stills as used in conventional distillation processes.33. Use of products which have been extracted from biomass, by destructively distilling the biomass using solar power as an energy source, as energy products.34. Use according to claim 33 wherein the products comprise one or more of methane, methanol, acetone, acetic acid, creosotes, various tars, celluloses, pyroligneous acid, carbon or acetone. *... * * . a. * ***i * . *. ,. *. S. * * S * IS S..S a e* * a a... S. a a * * S **
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US8889400B2 (en) | 2010-05-20 | 2014-11-18 | Pond Biofuels Inc. | Diluting exhaust gas being supplied to bioreactor |
US8940520B2 (en) | 2010-05-20 | 2015-01-27 | Pond Biofuels Inc. | Process for growing biomass by modulating inputs to reaction zone based on changes to exhaust supply |
US8969067B2 (en) | 2010-05-20 | 2015-03-03 | Pond Biofuels Inc. | Process for growing biomass by modulating supply of gas to reaction zone |
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CN105154158A (en) * | 2015-09-15 | 2015-12-16 | 中南林业科技大学 | Device for collecting methane in forest soil |
US9534261B2 (en) | 2012-10-24 | 2017-01-03 | Pond Biofuels Inc. | Recovering off-gas from photobioreactor |
US11124751B2 (en) | 2011-04-27 | 2021-09-21 | Pond Technologies Inc. | Supplying treated exhaust gases for effecting growth of phototrophic biomass |
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