JP6990593B2 - Semi-carbonization treatment condition determination device and semi-carbonization treatment condition determination method - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to a method for determining treatment conditions for semi-carbonization treatment of biomass.

In recent years, a biomass fuel called black pellet has appeared. Black pellets are semi-carbonized (torrefaction) biomass by applying heat to dried wood, grass, or other biomass in an oxygen-free state at a relatively low temperature (for example, 200 to 300 ° C.). Trefide pellets made by solidifying (semi-carbide) into pellets in order to improve handleability such as transportability. By keeping the biomass in the semi-carbonized state before reaching the carbonized state by this heat treatment (semi-carbonized treatment), while obtaining crushability close to that of coal, the mass and water content due to dehydration are compared with those of wood pellets (white pellets). It is possible to reduce the rate, increase the calorific value (J / kg) and energy density (J / m ³ ), and produce biomass fuel with better fuel characteristics (fuel properties).

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a semi-carbide manufacturing apparatus capable of efficiently producing high-quality semi-carbide by maintaining mild and optimum heating conditions for wood-based materials. According to this manufacturing equipment, the wood material can be gently heated through the furnace wall of the semi-carbonized furnace, and the optimum temperature inside the semi-carbonized furnace that semi-carbonizes the wood material is used to control the condensation state of the volatile component gas. Based on this, it can be easily adjusted and maintained from the outside, and it is possible to efficiently proceed with the production of high-quality semi-carbonized materials.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2017-43657

As mentioned above, it is possible to produce biomass fuels such as black pellets whose fuel characteristics have been improved by semi-carbonation of biomass, but the production method and standards have been established as in the case of producing wood pellets. The fuel characteristics vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. In this respect, biomass has different properties (raw material properties) depending on the production area, type, environment, storage method, etc. Therefore, if the semi-carbonization treatment was performed under the same semi-carbonization treatment conditions, the biomass was semi-carbonized. It is expected that the fuel characteristics of semi-carbonized materials will also vary. Therefore, in order to stably produce a semi-carbonized fuel that exhibits the required performance, the raw material properties are determined by performing semi-carbonization treatment under the treatment conditions (semi-carbonization treatment conditions) according to the properties of the biomass to be semi-carbonized. It is necessary to manage the semi-carbonization process that has been identified.

In view of the above circumstances, at least one embodiment of the present invention aims to provide a semi-carbonization treatment condition determining apparatus for determining semi-carbonization treatment conditions according to the properties of biomass.

(1) The semi-carbonization treatment condition determining device according to at least one embodiment of the present invention is
It is a semi-carbonization treatment condition determination device that determines the target treatment conditions, which are the semi-carbonization treatment conditions for the target biomass to be semi-carbonized.
The target index value acquisition unit for acquiring the target dryness index value, which is the index value of the dryness index indicating the dryness of the target biomass, and the target index value acquisition unit.
By the reference dryness index value which is the index value of the dryness index before the semi-carbonization treatment, the semi-carbonization treatment condition, and the semi-carbonization treatment for each reference biomass which has been the target of the semi-carbonization treatment in the past. It is a candidate processing condition derivation unit created based on the relationship with the fuel characteristics of the obtained semi-carbonized material, and is a candidate processing condition derivation unit that derives the candidate processing conditions of the target processing conditions from at least the target dryness index value. When,
A target processing condition determination unit for determining the target processing condition based on the candidate processing condition is provided.

If the raw material properties such as the dryness index are the same or similar, it is expected that semi-carbonized products having similar fuel characteristics can be obtained by semi-carbonization treatment under the same semi-carbonization treatment conditions. Therefore, according to the configuration of (1) above, the semi-carbonization treatment conditions of the biomass (target biomass) to be semi-carbonized from now on are applied to the biomass (reference biomass) that has been the target of the semi-carbonization treatment in the past. Determined based on the semi-carbonization treatment conditions. More specifically, among the reference biomasses having a dryness index (moisture content, drying rate, etc.) similar to those of the target biomass, semi-carbonized products satisfying the desired fuel characteristics for the target biomass are obtained. Based on the carbonization treatment conditions, the semi-carbonization treatment conditions for the target biomass are determined. Thereby, the semi-carbonization treatment conditions of the target biomass capable of producing the semi-carbide that satisfy the desired fuel characteristics can be appropriately determined. Further, by applying the semi-carbonization treatment conditions according to the dryness index for each target biomass, stable production of semi-carbonized products satisfying desired fuel characteristics can be achieved.

(2) In some embodiments, in the configuration of (1) above,
The candidate processing condition derivation unit is
A database unit that stores at least the reference dryness index value in the relationship for each reference biomass in association with the semi-carbonized treatment conditions.
It has a candidate acquisition unit that acquires at least one semi-carbonization treatment condition stored in the database unit as the candidate processing condition based on the target dryness index value.
According to the configuration of (2) above, the semi-carbonization treatment condition of the reference biomass having the same or similar index value as the dryness index value of the target biomass is acquired from the database as a candidate for the semi-carbonization treatment condition of the target biomass. .. In this way, by managing the information for each reference biomass (the above relationship) in the database, the candidate processing conditions can be obtained from the database.

(3) In some embodiments, in the configuration of (1) above,
The candidate processing condition derivation unit has a determination model created based on a plurality of data in which at least the reference dryness index value in the relationship for each reference biomass and the semi-carbonization treatment condition are associated with each other.
According to the configuration of (3) above, candidate processing conditions can be acquired by, for example, a determination model created by analyzing or machine learning the above-mentioned plurality of data.

(4) In some embodiments, in the configurations (1) to (3) above,
The target index value acquisition unit is
The target dryness index value estimation unit created based on the relationship between the raw material information including at least one information of the wood type, production area, and chip size of the reference biomass and the reference dryness index value. It includes a target dryness index value estimation unit that estimates the target dryness index value from the raw material information of biomass.
If the raw material information is common, it is expected that the dryness index values will be similar. Therefore, according to the configuration of (4) above, the dryness index of the target biomass is based on the dryness index value (reference dryness index value) of the reference biomass having the same or similar raw material information as the raw material information of the target biomass. Estimate the value (target dryness index). Thereby, the dryness index value (estimated value) of the target biomass can be obtained from the raw material information without measuring.

(5) In some embodiments, in the configuration of (4) above,
A fuel property acquisition unit that acquires the fuel characteristics of the semi-carbide obtained by executing the semi-carbonization treatment on the target biomass under the target treatment conditions.
A first feedback unit for correcting the target dryness index value estimation unit based on the fuel characteristics of the semi-carbide of the target biomass is further provided.
According to the configuration of (5) above, the estimation logic of the target dryness index value is corrected (corrected) based on the fuel characteristics of the semi-carbide produced by performing the semi-carbonization treatment on the target biomass under the determined target treatment conditions. )do. This makes it possible to improve the estimation accuracy.

(6) In some embodiments, in the configurations (1) to (5) above,
A fuel property acquisition unit that acquires the fuel characteristics of the semi-carbide obtained by executing the semi-carbonization treatment on the target biomass under the target treatment conditions.
A second feedback unit that corrects the candidate processing condition derivation unit based on the fuel characteristics of the semi-carbide of the target biomass is further provided.
According to the configuration of (6) above, the derivation logic of the candidate treatment conditions is corrected (corrected) based on the fuel characteristics of the semi-carbide produced by executing the semi-carbonization treatment on the target biomass under the determined target treatment conditions. .. This makes it possible to improve the accuracy of deriving the candidate conditions.

(7) In some embodiments, in the configurations (1) to (6) above,
Further, a constraint condition acquisition unit for acquiring the constraint condition for the target processing condition is provided.
The target processing condition determination unit determines the target processing condition so as to satisfy the constraint condition.
According to the configuration of (7) above, if the user sets desired constraints, a semi-carbide having more desirable fuel characteristics for the user can be produced.

(8) In some embodiments, in the configuration of (7) above,
The constraint conditions are the mill conditions relating to the pulverization performance of the mill device for pulverizing the semi-carbide obtained by performing the semi-carbide treatment on the target biomass, and the semi-carbide produced from the target biomass. Includes fuel characteristic conditions for fuel characteristics.
According to the configuration of (8) above, desired constraint conditions for mill conditions and fuel characteristic conditions can be set. Thereby, for example, the semi-carbonization treatment conditions that have the highest residual calorific value or calorific value within the range in which the pulverizability of the semi-carbonized material required from the performance of the mill device can be maintained, and the required residual calorific value of the semi-carbonized material. Alternatively, it is possible to determine the desired semi-carbonization treatment conditions for the target biomass, such as the semi-carbonization treatment conditions that maximize the pulverizability by the milling device, within the range in which the calorific value can be maintained.

(9) In some embodiments, in the configurations (7) to (8) above,
The constraint condition includes a fuel characteristic condition relating to the fuel characteristic of the semi-carbide produced from the target biomass, and a heating time condition relating to the heating time for heating the target biomass in the semi-carbonization treatment.
According to the configuration of (9) above, desired constraint conditions for fuel characteristic conditions and heating time conditions can be set. Thereby, for example, the semi-carbonization treatment condition including the heating temperature at which the heating time in the semi-carbonization treatment is the shortest is determined within the range where the semi-carbonization can maintain a constant residual calorific value or calorific value. The desired semi-carbonization treatment conditions can be determined.

(10) In some embodiments, in the configurations (7) to (9) above,
The constraint conditions are a water content condition relating to the water content of the semi-carbide obtained by performing the semi-carbonization treatment on the target biomass, and a fuel characteristic condition relating to the fuel characteristic of the semi-carbide produced from the target biomass. including.
According to the configuration of (10) above, desired constraint conditions for the water content condition and the fuel characteristic condition can be set. As a result, for example, semi-carbonization treatment conditions under the condition that the energy density (MJ / m3) is the highest within the range where the hydrophobicity and ignition safety of the semi-carbonized material can be maintained at a certain level according to the expected storage period, etc. The desired semi-carbonization treatment conditions for the target biomass can be determined.

(11) In some embodiments, in the configurations (1) to (10) above,
The dryness index comprises at least one of water content, drying rate, or biomass chip size.
According to the configuration of (11) above, appropriate reference biomass semi-carbonization treatment conditions are candidates based on at least one dryness index of water content, drying rate, or biomass chip size (particle size). can.

(12) In some embodiments, in the configurations (1) to (11) above,
The semi-carbonization treatment conditions include a heating temperature and a heating time at the time of executing the semi-carbonization treatment.
According to the configuration of (12) above, the heating temperature and the heating time can be determined according to the properties of the biomass.

(13) The method for determining semi-carbonization treatment conditions according to at least one embodiment of the present invention is
It is a semi-carbonization treatment condition determination method for determining the target treatment conditions, which are the semi-carbonization treatment conditions for the target biomass to be semi-carbonized.
The target index value acquisition step for acquiring the target dryness index value, which is the index value of the dryness index indicating the dryness of the target biomass, and the step of acquiring the target index value.
By the reference dryness index value which is the index value of the dryness index before the semi-carbonization treatment, the semi-carbonization treatment condition, and the semi-carbonization treatment for each reference biomass which has been the target of the semi-carbonization treatment in the past. A candidate processing condition derivation step for deriving a candidate processing condition for the target processing condition from at least the target dryness index value based on the relationship with the fuel characteristics of the obtained semi-carbonized material.
A target processing condition determination step for determining the target processing condition based on the candidate processing condition is provided.

According to the method of the above (13), the same effect as the above (1) is obtained.

(14) In some embodiments, in the method of (13) above,
The candidate processing condition derivation step is
Based on the target dryness index value, at least one said half stored in a database that stores at least the reference dryness index value in the relationship for each reference biomass in association with the semi-carbonized treatment condition. It has a candidate acquisition step of acquiring carbonization treatment conditions as the candidate treatment conditions.
According to the method of the above (14), the same effect as the above (2) is obtained.

(15) In some embodiments, in the method of (13) above,
The candidate treatment condition derivation step uses a determination model created based on a plurality of data in which at least the reference dryness index value in the relationship for each reference biomass and the semi-carbonization treatment condition are associated with each other. The candidate processing conditions are derived from the target dryness index value.
According to the method of the above (15), the same effect as the above (3) is obtained.

(16) In some embodiments, in the methods (13) to (15) above,
The target index value acquisition step is
Based on the relationship between the reference dryness index value and the raw material information including at least one information of the wood type, the production area and the chip size of the reference biomass, the target dryness index value is obtained from the raw material information of the target biomass. Includes the target dryness index value estimation step to be estimated.
According to the method of the above (16), the same effect as the above (4) is obtained.

(17) In some embodiments, in the method of (16) above,
A fuel characteristic acquisition step for acquiring the fuel characteristics of the semi-carbide obtained by performing the semi-carbonization treatment on the target biomass under the target treatment conditions, and
A first feedback step for correcting the target dryness index value estimation step based on the fuel characteristics of the semi-carbide of the target biomass is further provided.
According to the method of the above (17), the same effect as the above (5) is obtained.

(18) In some embodiments, in the methods (13) to (17) above,
A fuel characteristic acquisition step for acquiring the fuel characteristics of the semi-carbide obtained by performing the semi-carbonization treatment on the target biomass under the target treatment conditions, and
A second feedback step for correcting the candidate processing condition derivation step based on the fuel characteristics of the semi-carbide of the target biomass is further provided.
According to the method of the above (18), the same effect as the above (6) is obtained.

(19) In some embodiments, in the methods (13) to (18) above,
A constraint condition acquisition step for acquiring the constraint condition for the target processing condition is further provided.
The target processing condition determination step determines the target processing condition so as to satisfy the constraint condition.
According to the method of the above (19), the same effect as the above (7) is obtained.

(20) In some embodiments, in the method of (19) above,
The constraint conditions are the mill conditions relating to the pulverization performance of the mill device for pulverizing the semi-carbide obtained by performing the semi-carbide treatment on the target biomass, and the semi-carbide produced from the target biomass. Includes fuel characteristic conditions for fuel characteristics.
According to the method of the above (20), the same effect as the above (8) is obtained.

(21) In some embodiments, in the methods (19) to (20) above,
The constraint condition includes a fuel characteristic condition relating to the fuel characteristic of the semi-carbide produced from the target biomass, and a heating time condition relating to the heating time for heating the target biomass in the semi-carbonization treatment.
According to the method of the above (21), the same effect as the above (9) is obtained.

(22) In some embodiments, in the methods (19) to (21) above,
The constraint conditions are a water content condition relating to the water content of the semi-carbide obtained by performing the semi-carbonization treatment on the target biomass, and a fuel characteristic condition relating to the fuel characteristic of the semi-carbide produced from the target biomass. including.
According to the method of the above (22), the same effect as the above (10) is obtained.

(23) In some embodiments, in the methods (13) to (22) above,
The dryness index comprises at least one of water content, drying rate, or biomass chip size.
According to the method of the above (23), the same effect as the above (11) is obtained.

(24) In some embodiments, in the methods (13) to (23) above,
The semi-carbonization treatment conditions include a heating temperature and a heating time at the time of executing the semi-carbonization treatment.
According to the method of the above (24), the same effect as the above (12) is obtained.

According to at least one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a semi-carbonization treatment condition determining device for determining semi-carbonization treatment conditions according to the properties of biomass.

It is a figure which shows roughly the structure of the semi-carbonization treatment condition determination apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows roughly the structure of the candidate processing condition derivation part which has the database which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows roughly the structure of the candidate processing condition derivation part which has the determination model which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows roughly the structure of the target index value acquisition part which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the relationship of calorific value, bulk density, and pulverizability with respect to the heating temperature in the semi-carbonization treatment which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows schematically the boiler system which performs the semi-carbonization treatment which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the control flow of the heating temperature in the semi-carbonization treatment which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the semi-carbonization treatment condition determination method which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention.

Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, etc. of the components described as embodiments or shown in the drawings are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention to this, but are merely explanatory examples. do not have.
For example, expressions that represent relative or absolute arrangements such as "in a certain direction", "along a certain direction", "parallel", "orthogonal", "center", "concentric" or "coaxial" are exact. Not only does it represent such an arrangement, but it also represents a tolerance or a state of relative displacement at an angle or distance to the extent that the same function can be obtained.
For example, expressions such as "same", "equal", and "homogeneous" that indicate that things are in the same state not only represent exactly the same state, but also have tolerances or differences to the extent that the same function can be obtained. It shall also represent the existing state.
For example, the expression representing a shape such as a quadrangular shape or a cylindrical shape not only represents a shape such as a quadrangular shape or a cylindrical shape in a geometrically strict sense, but also an uneven portion or a chamfer within the range where the same effect can be obtained. It shall also represent the shape including the part and the like.
On the other hand, the expressions "equipped", "equipped", "equipped", "included", or "have" one component are not exclusive expressions excluding the existence of other components.

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of a semi-carbonization treatment condition determining device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The semi-carbonization treatment condition determination device 1 is an apparatus (system) for determining semi-carbonization treatment conditions (hereinafter, target treatment condition P as appropriate) for the biomass (hereinafter, target biomass B) to be semi-carbonized. In other words, the target biomass B is the target biomass for determining the semi-carbonization treatment conditions. Generally, a semi-carbonized product obtained by semi-carbonizing a biomass is produced by performing a semi-carbonization treatment on a biomass in a state of being crushed into chips by crushing trees or grass, and the semi-carbonization treatment condition determining device 1 is a target biomass B. Determine the semi-carbonization treatment conditions used in the semi-carbonization treatment for producing the semi-carbonized product of. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1, the semi-carbonization treatment condition determination device 1 includes a target index value acquisition unit 2, a candidate processing condition derivation unit 3, and a target processing condition determination unit 4.

Further, the semi-carbonized processing condition determining device 1 is a system composed of a computer, and includes a CPU (processor) (not shown), a memory such as ROM and RAM, a storage device m such as an external storage device, and a communication interface. Then, the CPU operates (data calculation, etc.) according to the instructions of the program (semi-carbonization processing condition program) loaded in the main storage device, thereby realizing each of the above functional units.
Hereinafter, each of the above-mentioned functional units included in the semi-carbonization treatment condition determining device 1 will be described.

The target index value acquisition unit 2 acquires the index value of the dryness index indicating the dryness of the target biomass B (hereinafter, appropriately, the target dryness index value D). The target biomass B may contain at least one of plant-based biomass (woody biomass) such as straw, fir tree, thinned wood, building-generated wood, and waste wood. The drying property index is an index that quantifies and indicates the ease of drying biomass, for example, the water content per unit weight or unit volume such as water content, and the drying rate (kg / (m ² · s)). Etc.), at least one index of the chip size (grain size) of the target biomass B may be included. The target index value acquisition unit 2 obtains the target dryness index value D by receiving input of, for example, a measured value obtained by actual measurement of the target biomass B or an estimated value obtained by estimation using a method described later. You may get it.

The candidate treatment condition derivation unit 3 is an index value of the dryness index before the semi-carbonization treatment (hereinafter, as appropriate, a reference dryness index value) for each biomass (hereinafter, reference biomass Br) that has been subject to the semi-carbonization treatment in the past. Dr), the semi-carbonized treatment condition for the reference biomass Br (hereinafter, appropriately referred treatment condition Pr), and the semi-carbonized product F obtained by performing the semi-carbonized treatment on the reference biomass Br under the reference treatment condition Pr (hereinafter, appropriately). , Reference semi-carbonized product Fr) is a functional unit created based on the relationship (first relationship) with the fuel characteristic Fp, and at least the target dryness index value D acquired by the target index value acquisition unit 2. It is a functional unit capable of deriving the candidate processing condition Pc of the target processing condition P from. More specifically, the candidate processing condition derivation unit 3 may have a map, a table, a machine learning model, or the like as described later, and the target dryness acquired by the target index value acquisition unit 2. When the index value D is input, the candidate processing condition Pc is derived as described above (see FIG. 1).

More specifically, the candidate processing condition derivation unit 3 obtains a desired fuel characteristic Fp (hereinafter, appropriately, criterion) value separately input to obtain the desired fuel characteristic Fp and the target dryness index value D. The above candidate processing condition Pc may be derived from. Alternatively, the criteria for the fuel characteristic Fp have already been considered in the above relationship, such as when the above relationship is composed only of the information of the reference biomass Br in which the fuel characteristic Fp of the semi-carbide F satisfies the criteria. In this case, the input information to the candidate processing condition derivation unit 3 may be only the target dryness index value D.

In addition, the above relationship for each reference biomass Br can be obtained through experiments and the like. That is, the dryness index is measured before the semi-carbonization treatment is performed by applying arbitrary semi-carbonization treatment conditions to the reference biomass Br, and the fuel characteristic Fp of the reference semi-carbonization Fr after the semi-carbonization treatment is measured. Then, these three types of relationships are associated with each other. The above relationship may be obtained based on the literature values. The fuel characteristic Fp is an index that quantifies and indicates the properties of the semi-carbohydrate F produced from biomass as a fuel. For example, the water content (moisture content), the calorific value h (MJ / kg, etc.), and the bulk density w ( It may contain at least one characteristic of (kg / m ³ etc.), energy density (MJ / m ³ etc.), ash content (wt% etc.).

The target processing condition determination unit 4 determines the semi-carbonization treatment condition (target processing condition P) of the target biomass B based on the candidate processing condition Pc derived by the candidate processing condition derivation unit 3 described above. The semi-carbonization treatment conditions include a heating temperature (pyrolysis temperature; the same shall apply hereinafter) and a heating time (pyrolysis time; the same shall apply hereinafter) at the time of executing the semi-carbonization treatment. For example, when the heating temperature is high or the heating time is long, carbonization of the target biomass B progresses excessively, and the residual calorific value decreases (see FIG. 4 to be described later). Further, when the heating temperature is low or the heating time is short, the carbonization of the target biomass B is insufficient and the energy density becomes low. As described above, if the semi-carbonization treatment conditions are not optimal, the target biomass B is not appropriately semi-carbonized, and high-quality semi-carbide F (fuel) cannot be produced. Therefore, the optimum target treatment condition P capable of producing a high-quality semi-carbide F having excellent fuel characteristics Fp from the target biomass B is determined based on the candidate treatment condition Pc.

Then, in the semi-carbonization treatment, the target biomass B is controlled to be kept at the heating temperature for the heating time specified by the target treatment condition P. When the semi-carbonization treatment changes the heating temperature with the passage of time after the start of the semi-carbonization treatment, for example, heating at β ° C. for x minutes and then heating at γ ° C. for y minutes, a plurality of heating temperatures and their respective heating temperatures are used. The heating time with respect to the temperature may be included in the target treatment condition P. When, for example, one candidate processing condition Pc is derived by the candidate processing condition deriving unit 3, the target processing condition determining unit 4 may determine the candidate processing condition Pc as the target processing condition P. Alternatively, when a plurality of candidate processing conditions Pc are derived by the candidate processing condition deriving unit 3, the target processing condition determining unit 4 obtains statistical values such as the average of the plurality of candidate processing conditions Pc. One semi-carbonization treatment condition to be obtained may be determined as the target treatment condition P.

That is, the semi-carbonization treatment condition determining device 1 having the above-mentioned configuration determines the semi-carbonization treatment condition of the target biomass B based on the semi-carbonization treatment condition applied to the reference biomass Br. More specifically, the semi-carbonized treatment in which the reference semi-carbonized product F satisfying the desired fuel characteristic Fp obtained for the target biomass B is obtained among the reference biomass Br whose dryness index value is similar to that of the target biomass B. Based on the conditions, the semi-carbonization treatment conditions for the target biomass are determined. If the raw material properties such as the dryness index are the same or similar, it is expected that the semi-carbide F having similar fuel characteristics Fp can be obtained by the semi-carbonization treatment under the same semi-carbonization treatment conditions. Therefore, based on the information of the reference biomass Br, it is possible to determine the semi-carbonization treatment conditions according to the dryness index value (target dryness index value D) possessed by the target biomass B.

According to the above configuration, the semi-carbonization treatment condition (target treatment condition P) of the target biomass B capable of producing the semi-carbonized product F satisfying the desired fuel characteristic Fp can be appropriately determined. Further, by applying the semi-carbonization treatment conditions corresponding to the dryness index for each target biomass B, stable production of the semi-carbide F satisfying the desired fuel characteristic Fp can be achieved.

Next, some embodiments relating to the candidate processing condition derivation unit 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2A to 4. FIG. 2A is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of a candidate processing condition deriving unit 3 having a database according to an embodiment of the present invention. Further, FIG. 2B is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the candidate processing condition derivation unit 3 having the determination model M according to the embodiment of the present invention.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2A, the candidate processing condition derivation unit 3 described above is at least half the reference dryness index value Dr in the above-mentioned relationship (first relationship) for each reference biomass Br. Candidate acquisition to acquire at least one semi-carbonization treatment condition stored in the database unit 31 as a candidate processing condition Pc based on the database unit 31 that stores the carbonization treatment condition in association with each other and the target dryness index value D. It may have a part 32 and the like. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2A, the candidate acquisition unit 32 is connected to the target index value acquisition unit 2 and the database unit 31, respectively. Then, when the target dryness index value D acquired by the target index value acquisition unit 2 is input, the candidate acquisition unit 32 transmits the target dryness index value D as a search condition to the database unit 31, and also transmits the target dryness index value D to the database unit 31. It is configured to acquire the candidate processing condition Pc by receiving the candidate processing condition Pc from the database unit 31 as a result (search result). Further, the candidate acquisition unit 32 is connected to the target processing condition determination unit 4, and transmits one or more candidate processing condition Pc derived as described above to the target processing condition determination unit 4 described later.

More specifically, the database unit 31 described above includes the storage device m, and holds, for example, at least the reference dryness index value Dr and the semi-carbonization treatment condition in the above-mentioned relationship for each reference biomass Br. The semi-carbonization treatment condition table T configured as described above is stored in the storage device m. This semi-carbonization treatment condition table T includes identification information for uniquely identifying the reference biomass Br, a reference dryness index value Dr of the reference biomass Br, and the semi-carbonization treatment conditions applied to the reference biomass Br. It has an information field for storing the fuel characteristic Fp of the semi-carbohydrate F obtained when the semi-carbonization treatment is performed under the carbonization treatment conditions. Then, in the semi-carbonization treatment condition table T, a set of information of the reference dryness index value Dr, the semi-carbonization treatment condition, and the fuel characteristic Fp for each of one or a plurality of reference biomass Brs is the semi-carbonization treatment condition table T (database unit). By being registered in 31), a plurality of records including each of these information sets are managed.

Further, the database unit 31 compares the target dryness index value D received from the target index value acquisition unit 2 with the dryness index value of the reference biomass Br stored in the database unit 31, and determines that they match. Extract the records to be used. At this time, the database unit 31 determines that the difference between the target dryness index value D and the dryness index value of the reference biomass Br is within ± α%, for example, even if they are not completely the same. It may be determined with a predetermined width. Further, when the target dryness index value D includes a plurality of indexes such as water content and drying speed, a matching judgment is made for each index, and when it is determined that all the indexes match each index, a matching judgment is made. It is determined that both are matching records. As a result, one or more records may be extracted, and the database unit 31 returns the extracted one or more records to the candidate acquisition unit 32. As a result, the candidate acquisition unit 32 acquires one or more candidate processing conditions Pc. In other words, the candidate processing condition derivation unit 3 derives one or more candidate processing conditions Pc.

According to the above configuration, the semi-carbonization treatment condition of the reference biomass Br having the same or similar index value as the dryness index value of the target biomass B is acquired from the database as a candidate for the semi-carbonization treatment condition of the target biomass B. .. In this way, by managing the information (the above relationship) for each reference biomass Br in the database, the candidate processing condition Pc can be acquired from the database.

In some other embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2B, the above-mentioned candidate processing condition derivation unit 3 has at least the reference dryness index value Dr in the above-mentioned relationship (first relationship) for each reference biomass Br. It may have a determination model M created based on a plurality of data in which the semi-carbonization treatment condition is associated with the semi-carbonization treatment condition. For example, when the drying property index is the water content and the drying rate and the semi-carbonization treatment conditions are the heating temperature and the heating time, the water content and the drying rate of the target biomass B are input to the candidate treatment condition derivation unit 3. The candidate processing condition derivation unit 3 derives the heating temperature and the heating time using these two indexes as input variables of the determination model M.

For example, in some embodiments, the decision model M may be a decision map Mp showing the relationship between the dryness index and the semi-carbonized treatment conditions. The determination map Mp is configured to output the target processing condition P from the target dryness index value D input as a variable by analyzing the plurality of data described above. The decision map Mp may be functionalized. This makes it possible to more flexibly derive the target processing condition P from the target dryness index value D.

Alternatively, in some other embodiments, the decision model M may be a learning decision model Mm created by machine learning. Specifically, the learning determination model Mm includes the dryness index value and the semi-carbonization treatment condition of a plurality of reference biomass Brs in which the semi-carbonization F obtained by performing the semi-carbonization treatment satisfies the criteria for the fuel characteristic Fp. It is created by machine learning a plurality of data associated with the above as teacher data. Machine learning is performed by a well-known machine learning method (algorithm) such as a neural network. This makes it possible to easily derive the target processing condition P from the target dryness index value D.

According to the above configuration, the candidate processing condition Pc can be acquired by, for example, the determination model M created by analyzing or machine learning the above-mentioned plurality of data.

Next, some embodiments relating to the target index value acquisition unit 2 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the target index value acquisition unit 2 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

In some embodiments, the target index value acquisition unit 2 described above relates to the relationship between the raw material information including at least one information of the wood type, the place of origin, the raw material origin and the chip size of the reference biomass Br and the reference dryness index value Dr. The target dryness index value estimation unit 21 created based on the sex (second relationship), and the target dryness index value estimation unit 21 estimated by the target dryness index value D from the raw material information of the target biomass B. including. That is, the target index value acquisition unit 2 acquires the estimated value calculated by the target dryness index value estimation unit 21 as the target dryness index value D. The raw material information is information that has a large influence on the estimated value of the dryness index value such as the water content and the drying rate, and includes the above-mentioned information. The type of wood is the species of raw wood such as conifers and hardwoods. The production area is a logging area for raw wood. The origin of raw materials is information indicating what kind of material such as raw wood, lumber side plates, offcuts, or building demolition materials was crushed to produce biomass. In addition, the raw material information may include other information such as storage methods such as indoor storage, outdoor storage, and room temperature controlled warehouse storage of the reference biomass Br, and environmental information including weather at the logging area and storage location.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the target dryness index value estimation unit 21 has a raw material information database 22 that stores raw material information and a reference dryness index value Dr in association with each reference biomass Br, and a target dryness index value. When D is input, the reference dryness index value Dr of the reference biomass Br having the raw material information matching the raw material information of the target biomass B is acquired from this database, and based on the acquired reference dryness index value Dr. It has an estimation unit 23 for estimating the target dryness index value D. Then, the estimated value obtained by the estimation unit is input to the candidate processing condition derivation unit 3 as the target dryness index value D.

More specifically, the raw material information database 22 stores identification information for uniquely identifying the reference biomass Br, raw material information of the reference biomass Br, and an information field for storing the reference dryness index value Dr. The raw material table Tr having the above may be managed. Then, the raw material table Tr manages a plurality of records including each of these information sets by registering a set of raw material information and a reference dryness index value Dr for each of one or a plurality of reference biomass Brs. The estimation unit 23 acquires a record that is determined to match when the raw material information of the target biomass B and the raw material information of the reference biomass Br stored in the raw material information database 22 are compared. The determination of the match is the same as in the case of the database unit 31 described above, and is therefore omitted. Further, when a plurality of reference dryness index values Dr are obtained as a result of the above-mentioned agreement determination, statistical values such as the average of the plurality of reference dryness index values Dr can be calculated and obtained. The value may be determined as the target dryness index value D.

However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. In some other embodiments, the degree of similarity between the raw material information of the target biomass B and a plurality of records managed by the raw material information database 22 is obtained, for example, a record having a high degree of similarity is acquired, and the obtained similarity is obtained. You may get one or more records based on it. More specifically, the most similar is applied by applying a known method that can determine the degree of similarity such as matching by dynamic programming, or by performing machine learning using various information as parameters and determining the match with the comparison target. The reference dryness index value Dr for which the matching is determined may be obtained by determining the one having a high degree of matching as matching. In machine learning, various information managed in the table may be used as teacher data for training to determine a match in advance and completed as a determination model, or the model may be trained while actually repeating the match determination. Is also good. Thereby, the reference dryness index value Dr having a high degree of similarity can be obtained from the raw material information database 22.

According to the above configuration, the dryness index value of the target biomass B is based on the dryness index value (reference dryness index value Dr) of the reference biomass Br having the same or similar raw material information as the raw material information of the target biomass B. (Target dryness index value D) is estimated. Thereby, the dryness index value (estimated value) of the target biomass B can be obtained from the raw material information without measuring.

Next, other functions included in the semi-carbonization treatment condition determining device 1 will be described.
In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1, the fuel characteristic Fp (described above) of the semi-carbide F obtained by performing the semi-carbide treatment on the target biomass B under the target treatment condition P is obtained. The acquisition unit 51 further includes a feedback unit 52 that corrects at least one of the candidate processing condition derivation unit 3 or the target dryness index value estimation unit 21 based on the fuel characteristic Fp of the semi-carbide F of the target biomass B. .. If the actual fuel characteristic Fp of the semi-carbide F produced from the target biomass B does not satisfy the criteria, or if the actual fuel characteristic Fp is different from the expected characteristic value, the candidate processing condition Pc. The derivation accuracy of the candidate processing condition derivation unit 3 may be inappropriate, or the estimation accuracy of the target dryness index value D may not be appropriate. , The contents of the raw material information database 22 of the target dryness index value estimation unit 21 are corrected (corrected).

The fuel characteristic acquisition unit 51 acquires the fuel characteristic Fp by inputting the measured value of the fuel characteristic Fp for the semi-carbide F of the target biomass B.
In addition, for the target biomass B whose fuel characteristic Fp of the semi-carbide F was unexpected, the dryness index was measured again by storing the measured value of the dryness index or storing the sample sample. Then, the relationship (first relationship) between the target dryness index value D of the target biomass B, the semi-carbide treatment condition, and the fuel characteristic Fp can be obtained. Therefore, this newly obtained relationship can be added to the database unit 31 (semi-carbonization treatment condition table T), or the determination model M can be recreated based on the first relationship including the new relationship. By doing so, it becomes possible to improve the derivation accuracy of the candidate processing condition Pc by the candidate processing condition derivation unit 3. Similarly, for the target biomass B whose fuel characteristic Fp of the semi-carbide F was unexpected, the degree of agreement between the measured value of the dryness index and the estimated value of the target dryness index value D by the target dryness index value estimation unit 21. Since information about the above can be obtained, it is possible to narrow the range to be determined as a match in the database search, or to correct the logic of the match determination.

The record or relationship of the database unit 31 used for deriving the candidate treatment condition Pc, which was the basis for determining the semi-carbonization treatment condition for the target biomass B in which the fuel characteristic Fp of the semi-carbonized material F was unexpected, is , It may be deleted from the semi-carbonization treatment condition table T, or it may not be used for recreating the determination model M. Similarly, such a relationship may not be used for estimating the target dryness index value D, such as by deleting it from the raw material table Tr.

According to the above configuration, the estimation logic of the target dryness index value and the candidate are based on the fuel characteristic Fp of the semi-carbide F produced by executing the semi-carbonization treatment on the target biomass B under the determined target treatment condition P. By correcting (correcting) at least one of the processing condition derivation logics, the accuracy can be improved.

Further, in some embodiments, the semi-carbonization treatment condition determining device 1 acquires a constraint condition (hereinafter, simply referred to as a constraint condition) for the target treatment condition P (semi-carbonization treatment condition of the target biomass B). The acquisition unit 6 is further provided. Then, the target processing condition determination unit 4 determines the target processing condition P so as to satisfy the constraint condition. For example, if the user sets desired constraints, it becomes possible to produce the semi-carbide F having the fuel characteristic Fp more desirable for the user. Such constraints may be various. Some embodiments of the above constraints will be specifically described.

In some embodiments, the above constraint is a mill relating to the pulverization performance of the mill apparatus 86 (see FIG. 5 below) for pulverizing the semi-carbide F obtained by performing the semi-carbide treatment on the target biomass B. The conditions and the fuel characteristic conditions regarding the fuel characteristic Fp of the semi-carbide F produced from the target biomass B are included. By including the mill condition and the fuel characteristic condition in the constraint condition, for example, it is possible to obtain the target processing condition P while satisfying the criteria of the fuel characteristic Fp and considering the reduction of the crushing energy by the mill device 86. become.

Here, the relationship between the heating temperature and the pulverizability g of the semi-carbide in the semi-carbonization treatment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the calorific value h, the bulk density w, and the pulverizability g with respect to the heating temperature in the semi-carbonization treatment according to the embodiment of the present invention. Assuming that the calorific value h before the semi-carbonization treatment and the bulk density w are used as a reference (100%), as shown in FIG. 4, the calorific value h of the semi-carbide F (semi-carbide F) increases as the heating temperature in the semi-carbonization treatment increases. By weight base), and bulk density w is reduced. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, the pulverizability g by the mill device 86 increases as the heating temperature increases. Therefore, when the crushing energy of the mill device 86 is prioritized, the higher the heating temperature, the better the crushing property g, so that the crushing energy can be kept small. On the contrary, when giving priority to the calorific value h, the lower the heating temperature within the optimum temperature range, the larger the calorific value h of the semicarbide F. When giving priority to the bulk density w, it is desirable that the smaller the bulk density w is, the more the transportation cost can be suppressed, and the higher the heating temperature is, the more desirable it is. It is said that the optimum heating temperature of the semi-carbide F is between 200 ° C. and 300 ° C. At this time, the heating time is determined according to the heating temperature, and when the heating temperature is high, the heating time tends to be short, and conversely, when the heating temperature is low, the heating time tends to be long. The calorific value h has been described here using the calorific value of the semi-carbide F on a weight basis, but the residual calorific value (based on the weight of the biomass before semi-carbonization) is used in consideration of the constraint conditions. You may use it.

Therefore, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, for example, the semi-carbide F has a pulverizability g (for example, the value g1 or more in FIG. 4) that can be pulverized by the mill device 86 provided in the own plant, and the calorific value h. When the target processing condition P is determined under the constraint condition that the temperature becomes the highest, the heating temperature becomes the temperature T1. Further, when the target treatment condition P is determined under the constraint condition that the semicarbide F has the calorific value h (for example, the value a1 or more in FIG. 4) and the greasability g is the best, the heating temperature is determined. Is the temperature T2.

According to the above configuration, desired constraints on mill conditions and fuel characteristic conditions can be set. Thereby, for example, the semi-carbonization treatment condition in which the calorific value h (may be the residual calorific value) is the highest within the range in which the pulverizability g of the semi-carbonized product F required from the performance of the mill device 86 can be maintained, and It is possible to determine the desired semi-carbonization treatment conditions for the target biomass B, such as the semi-carbonization treatment conditions that maximize the pulverizability g by the mill device 86, within the range in which the required calorific value h of the semi-carbonization product F can be maintained. ..

In some other embodiments, the above constraints are the fuel characteristic condition for the fuel characteristic Fp of the semi-carbide F produced from the target biomass B, and the heating time for the heating time for heating the target biomass B in the semi-carbonized treatment. Including conditions. For example, by appropriately setting the production rate of the semi-carbide F, for example, the heating temperature at which the heating time (semi-carbide treatment time) is the shortest within the range in which a constant calorific value h can be maintained is set as the target treatment condition P. , It is possible to improve the efficiency of production of semi-carbide F of constant quality.

According to the above configuration, desired constraints on fuel characteristic conditions and heating time conditions can be set. Thereby, for example, the semi-carbonization treatment condition including the heating temperature at which the heating time in the semi-carbonization treatment is the shortest is determined within the range in which the semi-carbonization F can maintain a constant calorific value h. The desired semi-carbonization treatment conditions can be determined.

In some other embodiments, the above constraints are the water content conditions for the water content of the semi-carbide F obtained by performing the semi-carbide treatment on the target biomass B, and the semi-carbide produced from the target biomass B. Fuel characteristic of F Includes fuel characteristic conditions for Fp. For example, under the constraint condition that the energy density is the highest within the range where the hydrophobicity and ignition safety of the semicarbide F, which should be considered during transportation and storage, can be maintained at a certain level according to the expected storage period and the like. It is possible to determine the target processing conditions. As a result, it is possible to minimize the equipment volume required for handling the same energy and improve the storability.

In the state I → II → III shown in FIG. 4, fibrous hemicellulose and cellulose are decomposed, and hydrophobic lignin becomes the main component, so that the pulverizability g and the hydrophobicity are improved. Lignin is also degraded after state III. Improvement of hydrophobicity leads to improvement of handleability in rainy weather, improvement of ignition safety, and prevention of deterioration of calorific value h (combustibility). In addition, by suppressing the water content to 15% or less, the growth of microorganisms is suppressed, and the risk of spontaneous combustion caused by fermentation is reduced.

According to the above configuration, desired constraint conditions for water content conditions and fuel characteristic conditions can be set, and desired semi-carbonization treatment conditions for the target biomass B can be determined.

Next, an example of a plant to which the semi-carbonization treatment condition (target treatment condition P) determined by the above-mentioned semi-carbonization treatment condition determination device 1 is applied to the target biomass B will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing a boiler system 7 that performs a semi-carbonization treatment according to an embodiment of the present invention. Further, FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a control flow of the heating temperature in the semi-carbonization treatment according to the embodiment of the present invention.

The boiler system 7 shown in FIG. 5 is a system that generates semi-carbohydrate F (semi-carbonized fuel) from the target biomass B and burns the boiler fuel Fb containing the semi-carbohydrate F in the boiler 71 to generate steam S. It is also a system that generates electricity by driving the steam turbine 7T by the steam S generated by the boiler 71. In this system, the semi-carbonated material F is generated in a pyrolysis device 83 (pyrolysis furnace). For example, the chip-shaped target biomass B is transferred from a biomass storage device 81 such as a bunker to a belt conveyor or the like. It is carried out by being supplied to the pyrolysis apparatus 83 via the biomass supply line 82 including the transfer apparatus of the above. Then, the semi-carbide F produced by the thermal decomposition device 83 is once stored in the semi-carbide storage device 85 provided in the semi-carbide supply line 84 including a transfer device such as a conveyor and a supply device such as a feeder, and then half. The carbide F is supplied to a mill device 86 (crushing device) that crushes and reduces the size of the carbide F, is made into fine powder, and is supplied to the boiler 71.

The semi-carbonization treatment in the above-mentioned pyrolysis apparatus 83 will be described in more detail. For example, the target biomass B supplied from the biomass storage apparatus 81 via the biomass supply line 82 has a temperature (heating temperature) of 250 ° C. or higher and 350 ° C. or higher. Below, and under the condition that the oxygen concentration is 10% or less, by heating for a time (heating time) determined according to this temperature, the target biomass B is thermally decomposed to produce semi-carbonized material F. There is. At this time, the pyrolysis gas G is also generated, but the entire amount may be returned (recirculated) to the boiler 71.

Further, the pyrolysis device 83 executes the semi-carbonization treatment by using the exhaust gas E generated by the combustion of the boiler fuel Fb in the boiler 71. That is, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the exhaust gas temperature is about 300 ° C. to 350 ° C., and the oxygen concentration of the exhaust gas E is about 6% or less, so that it is suitable for use in the above-mentioned thermal decomposition. Therefore, the exhaust gas E is used for the semi-carbonization treatment. Therefore, in the boiler system 7, the exhaust gas introduction line 91 (for introducing the exhaust gas E into the thermal decomposition device 83) from the exhaust gas discharge line 72 (duct or the like) for discharging the exhaust gas E discharged from the boiler 71 to the outside. (Duct etc.) is branched. The exhaust gas introduction line 91 is provided with an exhaust gas introduction amount adjusting device 93 such as a switch and a damper that can adjust the flow rate of the exhaust gas E, and is introduced into the thermal decomposition device 83 by being controlled by the control device 98. It is possible to adjust the flow rate of the exhaust gas E to be generated.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the exhaust gas introduction line 91 is based on the air preheater 73 by connecting one end to the upstream side of the air preheater 73 (AH) in the exhaust gas discharge line 72. The heat from the air preheater 73 is generated by connecting one end to the downstream side of the air preheater 73 in the exhaust gas discharge line 72 and the high temperature exhaust gas introduction line 91h for branching the high temperature exhaust gas E before heat exchange. A shared connection between the low-temperature exhaust gas introduction line 91c for branching the exhaust gas E lowered by replacement and the other end of each of the high-temperature exhaust gas introduction line 91h and the low-temperature exhaust gas introduction line 91c and the heat decomposition device 83. It has an exhaust gas introduction line of 91 m. Further, the exhaust gas introduction amount adjusting device 93 includes a high temperature exhaust gas introduction amount adjusting device 93h installed in the high temperature exhaust gas introduction line 91h and a low temperature exhaust gas introduction amount adjusting device 93c installed in the low temperature exhaust gas introduction line 91c. Then, under the control of the control device 98, the exhaust gas temperature introduced into the thermal decomposition device 83 can be adjusted by mixing while adjusting the flow rates of the high temperature and low temperature exhaust gas E in the exhaust gas introduction line 91. Therefore, it is possible to finely adjust the heating temperature in the above-mentioned semi-carbonization treatment.

By the semi-carbonization treatment in the thermal decomposition apparatus 83, water is removed from the target biomass B, and fibers such as lignin and cellulose contained in the target biomass B are thermally decomposed. Therefore, the semi-carbide F of the target biomass B has a high proportion of carbon in the components, and the energy density per bulk density w is higher than that of the target biomass B before thermal decomposition. More specifically, the semi-carbide F has, for example, a water content of 5% or less and a calorific value h equivalent to that of coal Fc. Further, since the semi-carbide F has fibers such as lignin and cellulose contained in the target biomass B thermally decomposed, it can be easily crushed by the mill device 86 in the same manner as the coal Fc. Further, the semi-carbide F is produced by thermal decomposition under the above temperature conditions, so that a part of the volatile components remains and has ignitability equivalent to that of coal Fc. Therefore, the semi-carbide F can be used as a heat source for the boiler 71 in the same manner as the coal Fc.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the boiler system 7 supplies the boiler 71 with the boiler fuel Fb containing coal Fc as well as the semicarbiated product F produced from the target biomass B whose properties are not stable. A coal storage device 85c for storing coal Fc and a coal storage device for coal Fc are used to stabilize the output of the boiler 71 and to make up for the shortage with coal Fc when the amount of semi-carbohydrate F and the amount of heat are insufficient. It is provided with a coal supply line 84c for supplying from the 85c to the boiler 71, and a mill device 86c provided in the middle of the coal supply line 84c to crush and reduce the coal Fc supplied from the coal storage device 85c. There is. Further, in the shared exhaust gas introduction line 91 m, at least a part of the exhaust gas E provided on the downstream side of the cyclone 95 and the cyclone 95 capable of separating the dust (soot dust, dust) contained in the exhaust gas E by a swirling airflow are burned. An exhaust gas recirculation line 97 for introducing into the boiler 71 as air for use (secondary air), and an exhaust gas recirculation fan 96 configured to generate wind force and send at least a part of the exhaust gas E into the boiler 71. And have.

Therefore, the semi-carbonization treatment condition determination device 1 has at least one of the above-mentioned heating temperature, heating time, oxygen concentration, etc. that affects the properties of the semi-carbonized product F in the semi-carbonization treatment performed in the thermal decomposition apparatus 83. Determine the conditions. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, since the exhaust gas E satisfying the oxygen concentration requirement is used for the semi-carbonization treatment, the semi-carbonization treatment condition is at least one of the heating temperature or the heating time excluding the condition for the oxygen concentration in the exhaust gas E. It may include one. Further, the semi-carbonization treatment condition (target treatment condition P) determined by the semi-carbonization treatment condition determination device 1 is transmitted by being transmitted to a device for controlling the semi-carbonization process such as a thermal decomposition device 83 and a control device 98. The semi-carbonization treatment according to the target treatment condition P is executed.

Specifically, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, in step S61, the semi-carbonization treatment condition determining device 1 includes the target drying property index value D including the water content, drying rate, chip size (grain size) of the target biomass B, and the like. Is obtained, the target processing condition P including the heating temperature and the heating time is determined, and then the target processing condition P is transmitted to the above-mentioned control device 98. In step S62, the control device 98 is the high temperature exhaust gas introduction amount adjusting device 93h (damper in FIG. 6) or the low temperature exhaust gas introduction amount adjusting device 93c (FIG. 6) based on the heating temperature included in the received target processing condition P. Then, the opening degree of at least one of the dampers) is adjusted so that the heating temperature specified by the pyrolysis device 83 is realized. As a result, the heat treatment is performed during the heating time specified in the target treatment condition P in step S63, and after the heating time elapses, the semi-carbide F is carried out to the outside of the pyrolysis apparatus 83 in step S64. The semi-carbonization treatment of the target biomass B is completed by stopping the introduction of the exhaust gas E into the thermal decomposition apparatus 83 by closing (minimizing) the opening degree of the exhaust gas introduction amount adjusting device 93.

Hereinafter, a semi-carbonization treatment condition determination method corresponding to the processing executed by the semi-carbonization treatment condition determination device 1 described above will be described with reference to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a method for determining semi-carbonization treatment conditions according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The method for determining the semi-carbonization treatment condition is a method for determining the semi-carbonization treatment condition (target treatment condition P) for the target biomass B. Then, as shown in FIG. 7, the semi-carbonization treatment condition determination method includes a target index value acquisition step (S1), a candidate processing condition derivation step (S2), and a target processing condition determination step (S3). Thereby, the optimum target treatment condition P (optimal semi-carbonization process in FIG. 7) capable of producing a high-quality semi-carbide F having excellent fuel characteristics Fp from the target biomass B is determined. Each step provided in the semi-carbonization treatment condition determination method will be described. The semi-carbonization treatment condition determination method may be executed by the semi-carbonization treatment condition determination device 1 or may be manually executed.
Hereinafter, the method for determining the semi-carbonization treatment conditions will be described in the order of the steps in FIG.

In step S1 of FIG. 7, the target index value acquisition step is executed. The target index value acquisition step (S1) is a step of acquiring the target dryness index value D of the target biomass B described above. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the target index value acquisition step (S1) is based on the relationship (second relationship) between the raw material information of the reference biomass Br and the reference dryness index value Dr. The target dryness index value D is acquired by estimating the target dryness index value D from the raw material information (performing the target dryness index value estimation step). Since these target index value acquisition step and target dryness index value estimation step are the same as the processing contents executed by the target index value acquisition unit 2 and the target dryness index value estimation unit 21 described above, the details are detailed. Omit.

In step S2, the candidate processing condition derivation step is executed. In the candidate treatment condition derivation step (S2), the reference dryness index value Dr for each reference biomass Br described above, the reference treatment condition Pr, and the fuel characteristics Fp of the reference semi-carbide Fr semi-carbonized under the reference treatment condition Pr are performed. At least, the candidate processing condition Pc of the target processing condition P is derived from the target dryness index value D acquired by the target index value acquisition step (S1) by using a determination model M or the like created based on the relationship with. It is a step to do. Since the candidate processing condition derivation step (S2) is the same as the processing content executed by the candidate processing condition derivation unit 3 already described, details thereof will be omitted.

In some embodiments, the candidate treatment condition derivation step (S2) is based on the target dryness index value D, and at least the reference dryness index value Dr in the above-mentioned relationship for each reference biomass Br and the semi-carbonization treatment. It may have a candidate acquisition step of acquiring at least one semi-carbonization processing condition stored in the database associated with the condition as the candidate processing condition Pc. In some other embodiments, the candidate treatment condition derivation step (S2) comprises a plurality of data in which at least the reference dryness index value Dr in the above-mentioned relationship for each reference biomass Br and the semi-carbonization treatment condition are associated with each other. The candidate processing condition Pc of the target processing condition P may be derived from the target dryness index value D using the determination model M created based on the above. Since the above candidate acquisition step is the same as the processing content executed by the candidate acquisition unit 32 already described, the details will be omitted.

In step S3, the target processing condition determination step is executed. The target treatment condition determination step (S3) determines the semi-carbonization treatment condition (target treatment condition P) of the target biomass B based on the candidate treatment condition Pc derived by the candidate treatment condition derivation step (S2) described above. Since the target processing condition determination step (S3) is the same as the processing content executed by the target processing condition determination unit 4 already described, details thereof will be omitted.

Then, in step S4, a semi-carbonization treatment to which the target treatment condition P (optimal semi-carbonization process) determined by the above-mentioned semi-carbonization treatment condition determination method (S1 to S3) is applied is performed on the target biomass B.

Further, in step S5, the fuel characteristic Fp (performance as a fuel) is evaluated, and the evaluation result is fed back. That is, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, in step S5, the method for determining the semi-carbonization treatment condition is the fuel characteristic Fp of the semi-carbide F obtained by performing the semi-carbonization treatment on the target biomass B under the target treatment condition P. The candidate processing condition derivation step (S2) or the feedback step for correcting the target dryness index value estimation step based on the fuel characteristic Fp of the semi-carbide F of the target biomass B is executed. do. Since the fuel characteristic acquisition step and the feedback step are the same as the processing contents executed by the fuel characteristic acquisition unit 51 and the feedback unit 52, respectively, the details will be omitted.

Further, in some embodiments, the semi-carbonization treatment condition determination method may further include a constraint condition acquisition step for acquiring the above-mentioned constraint condition, and in this case, the target treatment condition determination step (S3) may be provided. , The target processing condition P is determined so as to satisfy the constraint condition. In some embodiments, the constraints described above may include the mill conditions and fuel characteristic conditions already described. In some other embodiments, the above constraints may include the fuel characteristic conditions and heating time conditions already described. In some other embodiments, the above constraints may include the water content and fuel characteristic conditions already described. In some other embodiments, at least one of the above mill conditions, fuel characteristic conditions, heating time conditions, and water content conditions may be included. Thereby, the desired semi-carbonization treatment conditions for the target biomass B can be determined.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and includes a modification of the above-mentioned embodiment and a combination of these embodiments as appropriate.

1 Semi-coal processing condition determination device m Storage device 2 Target index value acquisition unit 3 Candidate processing condition derivation unit 4 Target processing condition determination unit 6 Constraint condition acquisition unit 7 Boiler system 7T Steam turbine 21 Target dryness index value estimation unit 22 Raw material information Database 23 Estimating unit 31 Database unit T Semi-coal processing condition table Tr Raw material table 32 Candidate acquisition unit 51 Fuel characteristic acquisition unit 52 Feedback unit 71 Boiler 72 Exhaust gas discharge line 73 Air preheater 81 Biomass storage device 82 Biomass supply line 83 Pyrolysis device 84 Semi-carbohydrate supply line 84c Coal supply line 85 Semi-carbohydrate storage device 85c Coal storage device 86 Mill device (biomass)
86c mill device (coal)
91 Exhaust gas introduction line 91c Low temperature exhaust gas introduction line 91h High temperature exhaust gas introduction line 91m Shared exhaust gas introduction line 93 Exhaust gas introduction amount adjustment device 93c Low temperature exhaust gas introduction amount adjustment device 93h High temperature exhaust gas introduction amount adjustment device 95 Cyclone 96 Recirculation fan 97 Recirculation line 98 Control device

B Target Biomass Br Reference Biomass D Target Dryness Index Value Dr Reference Dryness Index Value F Semi-Carboke Fr Reference Semi-Carboke Fb Boiler Fuel Fc Coal Fp Fuel Characteristics M Decision Model Mp Decision Map Mm Learning Decision Model P Target Treatment Condition Pc Candidate Processing Condition Pr Reference processing condition h Calorific value w Bulk density g Crushability

E Exhaust gas S Steam G Pyrolysis gas

Claims (13)

It is a semi-carbonization treatment condition determination device that determines the target treatment conditions, which are the semi-carbonization treatment conditions for the target biomass , which is the woody biomass to be semi-carbonized.
The target index value acquisition unit for acquiring the target dryness index value, which is the index value of the dryness index indicating the dryness of the target biomass, and the target index value acquisition unit.
The reference dryness index value, which is the index value of the dryness index before the semi-carbonization treatment, the semi-carbonization treatment condition, and the above, for each reference biomass which is a woody biomass that has been the target of the semi-carbonization treatment in the past. Candidate processing condition derivation unit created based on the relationship with the fuel characteristics of the semi-carbonized material obtained by the semi-carbonization treatment, and is a candidate for deriving the candidate processing conditions of the target processing conditions from at least the target dryness index value. Processing condition derivation part and
A target processing condition determination unit for determining the target processing condition based on the candidate processing condition is provided .
The candidate processing condition satisfies the predetermined fuel characteristics obtained for the target biomass among the reference biomass having a similarity of the reference dryness index value to the target dryness index value of the target biomass or more. Consists of the semi-carbide treatment conditions of the reference biomass from which the semi-carbide is obtained
A semi-carbonization treatment condition determining device. The candidate processing condition derivation unit is
A database unit that stores at least the reference dryness index value in the relationship for each reference biomass in association with the semi-carbonized treatment conditions.
The first aspect of the present invention is characterized by having a candidate acquisition unit that acquires at least one semi-carbonization treatment condition stored in the database unit as the candidate processing condition based on the target dryness index value. The semi-carbonization treatment condition determination device described. The candidate processing condition derivation unit has a determination model created based on a plurality of data in which at least the reference dryness index value in the relationship for each reference biomass and the semi-carbonization treatment condition are associated with each other. The semi-carbonization treatment condition determining apparatus according to claim 1. The target index value acquisition unit is
The target dryness index value estimation unit created based on the relationship between the raw material information including at least one information of the wood type, the production area and the chip size of the reference biomass and the reference dryness index value, and is the target. The semi-carbonization treatment condition determining apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a target dryness index value estimation unit that estimates the target dryness index value from the raw material information of biomass. A fuel property acquisition unit that acquires the fuel characteristics of the semi-carbide obtained by executing the semi-carbonization treatment on the target biomass under the target treatment conditions.
The semi-carbonized treatment condition according to claim 4, further comprising a first feedback unit for correcting the target dryness index value estimation unit based on the fuel characteristics of the semi-carbide of the target biomass. Determination device. A fuel property acquisition unit that acquires the fuel characteristics of the semi-carbide obtained by executing the semi-carbonization treatment on the target biomass under the target treatment conditions.
The invention according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a second feedback unit that corrects the candidate processing condition derivation unit based on the fuel characteristics of the semi-carbide of the target biomass. Semi-carbonization treatment condition determination device. Further, a constraint condition acquisition unit for acquiring the constraint condition for the target processing condition is provided.
The semi-carbonization treatment condition determining device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the target processing condition determining unit determines the target processing condition so as to satisfy the constraint condition. The constraint conditions are the mill conditions relating to the pulverization performance of the mill device for pulverizing the semi-carbide obtained by performing the semi-carbide treatment on the target biomass, and the semi-carbide produced from the target biomass. The semi-carbide treatment condition determining device according to claim 7, wherein the semi-carbide treatment condition determining device includes fuel characteristic conditions related to fuel characteristics. The constraint is characterized by including a fuel characteristic condition relating to the fuel characteristic of the semi-carbonized product produced from the target biomass, and a heating time condition relating to the heating time for heating the target biomass in the semi-carbonized treatment. Item 7. The semi-carbonization treatment condition determining apparatus according to Item 7. The constraint conditions are a water content condition relating to the water content of the semi-carbide obtained by performing the semi-carbonization treatment on the target biomass, and a fuel characteristic condition relating to the fuel characteristic of the semi-carbonized product produced from the target biomass. The semi-carbonization treatment condition determining apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the device comprises. The semi-carbonization treatment condition determining apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the dryness index includes at least one of a water content, a drying rate, or a chip size of biomass. The semi-carbonization treatment condition determining apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the semi-carbonization treatment condition includes a heating temperature and a heating time at the time of executing the semi-carbonization treatment. It is a semi-carbonization treatment condition determination method for determining the target treatment conditions, which are the semi-carbonization treatment conditions for the target biomass , which is the woody biomass to be semi-carbonized.
The target index value acquisition step for acquiring the target dryness index value, which is the index value of the dryness index indicating the dryness of the target biomass, and
The reference dryness index value which is the index value of the dryness index before the semi-carbonization treatment, the semi-carbonization treatment condition, and the above for each reference biomass which is a woody biomass which has been the target of the semi-carbonization treatment in the past. A candidate processing condition derivation step for deriving a candidate processing condition for the target processing condition from at least the target dryness index value based on the relationship with the fuel characteristics of the semi-carbonized material obtained by the semi-carbonization treatment.
A target processing condition determination step for determining the target processing condition based on the candidate processing condition is provided .
The candidate processing condition satisfies the predetermined fuel characteristics obtained for the target biomass among the reference biomass having a similarity of the reference dryness index value to the target dryness index value of the target biomass or more. Consists of the semi-carbide treatment conditions of the reference biomass from which the semi-carbide is obtained
A method for determining semi-carbonization treatment conditions.

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