WO2015045430A1

WO2015045430A1 - Biomass production method and biomass housing device

Info

Publication number: WO2015045430A1
Application number: PCT/JP2014/051785
Authority: WO
Inventors: 栄福永; 河西　英一
Original assignee: 株式会社Ihi
Priority date: 2013-09-30
Filing date: 2014-01-28
Publication date: 2015-04-02
Also published as: JPWO2015045430A1; MY176220A; JP6137327B2

Abstract

This biomass production method comprises: a step involving supplying water vapor to a raw material (oil palm) and steaming the raw material (steaming step (S110)); a germination step in which, by cooling biomass (empty fruit bunch) obtained by executing said step involving steaming, a predetermined condition required for the germination of spores of microorganisms attached to the biomass is created and maintained (cooling step for germination (S140); germination condition maintaining step (S150)); and a step in which, by heating the biomass to which the germinated microorganisms are attached, a predetermined condition required for killing the microorganisms is created and maintained (germicidal (sterilization) step (S160)).

Description

Biomass production method and biomass storage device

The present invention relates to a biomass manufacturing method for manufacturing biomass and a biomass storage device for storing biomass.

When oil (palm oil, palm kernel oil) is produced from oil palm bunches (FFB: Fresh Fruit Bunch), the oil palm bunches are steamed with steam, the fruit part containing the desired oil, and the empty fruit bunches A process of separation into (EFB: Empty Fruit 分離 Bunch) is performed.

In recent years, biomass such as empty fruit bunches such as empty fruit bunches and woody biomass such as wood, sawdust, bark, etc., produced as a result of oil production from oil palm bunches, has been produced as fuel for direct combustion (ie, biomass fuel) (For example, patent documents 1 and 2) The technique which utilizes biomass effectively, such as manufacturing ethanol from biomass (for example, patent document 3), is developed.

Here, when a place where biomass is generated (for example, an oil production factory) and a place where biomass is used (for example, a place where biomass is used as fuel or a place where ethanol is produced) are separated, biomass or biomass fuel Need to be stored and transported.

JP 2012-122026 A JP 2012-205967 A JP 2010-99580 A

However, when biomass such as the above-mentioned herbaceous biomass and woody biomass is stored in large quantities, a phenomenon that the biomass spontaneously ignites has occurred. One of the causes is microbial fermentation. (Kimoto Masayoshi, Serizawa Masami (2009) Research on spontaneous ignition during storage of wood pellets. Report by Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry M08022.) Therefore, development of technology to prevent spontaneous ignition by microorganisms is desired.

An object of the present invention is to provide a biomass production method and a biomass storage device capable of preventing spontaneous combustion of biomass and biomass fuel obtained therefrom.

1st aspect of this invention is a biomass manufacturing method, Comprising: The accommodation process which accommodates biomass in a storage container, and cooling or leaving the said biomass, it is beforehand required for germination of the microorganism of the spore state adhering to the said biomass A germination step for creating and maintaining a predetermined condition; and a sterilization step for creating and maintaining a predetermined condition for killing the microorganism by heating the biomass to which the germinated microorganism has adhered. This is the gist.

The biomass production method may further include a steaming step of steaming the raw material by supplying steam to the raw material of the biomass to obtain the biomass.

The germination step and the sterilization step may be performed in the storage container under atmospheric pressure.

The germination step and the sterilization step may be alternately repeated a plurality of times.

In the sterilization step, the biomass may be heated by supplying water vapor to the biomass to which the germinated microorganisms adhere.

In the sterilization step, the biomass may be heated at a predetermined temperature of 90 ° C. to 110 ° C.

The raw material of the biomass may be oil palm, and the biomass may be an empty fruit bunch obtained by defruiting the oil palm.

The biomass production method may further include a pulverization step of pulverizing the biomass, a drying step of drying the biomass pulverized by the pulverization step, and a molding step of forming the biomass dried by the drying step into a granular shape.

The germination step and the sterilization step may be performed before the pulverization step.

The germination step and the sterilization step may be performed between the pulverization step and the drying step.

The germination step and the sterilization step may be performed after the molding step.

A second aspect of the present invention is a biomass storage device, which is a germination vessel that is attached to the biomass and a storage container that stores the biomass obtained by steaming the raw material by supplying steam to the raw material of the biomass. A gas for heating the biomass above the killed temperature of the microorganisms, and a heating gas supply unit for passing the gas stored in the storage container through the biomass; and cooling the biomass to a temperature required for germination of the microorganisms in a spore state A gist is provided with a cooling gas supply unit that allows cooling gas to flow through the biomass stored in the storage container.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a biomass production method and a biomass storage device capable of preventing spontaneous combustion of biomass and biomass fuel obtained therefrom.

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a biomass production system. Drawing 2 is a figure for explaining a biomass accommodation device. FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the processing flow of the biomass production method. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the biomass production system according to the first modification. FIG. 5 is a time chart of two biomass storage devices. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a biomass production system according to a second modification. FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining a process flow of the biomass manufacturing method according to the second modification. FIG. 8 is a time chart of three biomass storage devices. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a biomass production system according to another modification.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The dimensions, materials, and other specific numerical values shown in the embodiments are merely examples for facilitating the understanding of the invention, and do not limit the present invention unless otherwise specified. In the present specification and drawings, elements having substantially the same function and configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted, and elements not directly related to the present invention are not illustrated. To do.

As described above, when oil is produced from oil palm, the oil palm bunch is steamed with steam and then separated into a fruit portion containing oil and an empty fruit bunch in a de-fruiting process. The present inventors have detected that Bacillus subtilis is attached to the empty fruit bunches even though the oil coconut fruit bunches are treated with steam of 100 ° C. or higher such as steaming (Source: Fukunaga, S., Kasai, H. and Inubushi, K. (2012) Microbial gas production from empty fruit bunch (EFB) of oil palm. Proceedings of the 28th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society for Microbial Ecology (PB-19).

When the inventors of the present application add water at a predetermined concentration to the empty fruit bunches to which Bacillus subtilis adheres, the hydrogen is generated from Bacillus subtilis, and the hydrogen concentration in the culture atmosphere reaches about 40%. I found out. The generation of hydrogen is presumed to be due to the organic matter in the empty fruit bunch being converted to hydrogen by Bacillus subtilis.

From these results, the inventors of the present application have made extensive studies, and it has been speculated that the cause of spontaneous ignition is the generation of hydrogen by microorganisms such as Bacillus subtilis.

Therefore, in the following, by killing microorganisms such as Bacillus subtilis adhering to the biomass, hydrogen generation by the microorganisms is prevented, and spontaneous combustion of the biomass and biomass fuel obtained therefrom is avoided, and organic matter is consumed. A biomass production method and biomass storage device that can suppress a decrease in the amount of heat of biomass due to generation of hydrogen will be described.

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a biomass production system 100. As shown in FIG. 1, the biomass production system 100 includes a steaming device 110, a fruit removal device 120, and a biomass storage device 150. Here, an oil palm fruit bunch will be described as an example of biomass raw material, and an empty fruit bunch (EFB) will be described as an example of biomass.

The steaming apparatus 110 steams the oil palm fruit bunch by supplying water vapor to the oil palm fruit bunch. Steaming weakens the bond between the fruit portion and the empty fruit bunches, and facilitates the separation of the fruit portion and the empty fruit bunches in the subsequent fruit removal apparatus 120. In addition, the enzyme such as lipase contained in the oil palm fruit bunch is deactivated to suppress the deterioration of the oil contained in the fruit portion.

Here, the temperature of the steam supplied by the steaming device 110 is a predetermined temperature of 90 ° C. to 110 ° C. With such a configuration, the spore of a microorganism that is present in the oil palm fruit bunch and cannot be easily killed with heat of 100 ° C. or higher can be germinated and converted into vegetative cells.

The fruit removal device 120 separates the oil palm cooked by the steaming device 110 into a fruit portion and an empty fruit bunch. The fruit portion thus separated is squeezed by oil generation means (not shown) in the subsequent stage to produce palm oil or palm kernel oil. On the other hand, the separated empty fruit bunches are put into the biomass storage device 150 at the subsequent stage.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the biomass storage device 150. The biomass storage device 150 includes a storage container 160, a heating gas supply unit 170, a cooling gas supply unit 180, and a control unit 185. In FIG. 2, the movement of the

lids

162a and 162b is indicated by solid arrows, and the signal flow is indicated by broken arrows.

As shown in FIG. 2, the storage container 160 is a container that stores the empty fruit bunches separated by the fruit removal device 120. More specifically, the storage container 160 has an input port 160a on the upper surface and a carry-out port 160b on the side surface. In addition, the storage container 160 is provided with a lid portion 162a for opening and closing the charging port 160a and a lid portion 162b for opening and closing the carry-out port 160b.

In addition, the storage container 160 is provided with a porous plate 164 in which a plurality of holes are formed in a horizontal direction in a state where a gap is formed below the porous plate 164, and an empty fruit bunch is provided above the porous plate 164. It is to be accommodated.

The heating gas supply unit 170 is stored in the storage container 160 with a heating gas that heats the empty fruit bunch above the killing temperature of microorganisms (eg, Bacillus subtilis) germinated by being heated and then cooled by the steaming device 110. Let it flow to the empty fruit bunch. More specifically, the heated gas supply unit 170 supplies the heated gas near the bottom surface of the storage container 160 and below the porous plate 164. Then, the heated gas is sent upward from the hole of the perforated plate 164. In this way, the heated gas reaches the empty fruit bunches accommodated in the storage container 160, and the empty fruit bunches are heated by the heated gas.

Here, the heating gas is, for example, water vapor having a predetermined temperature of 90 ° C. to 110 ° C. Further, the heated gas supply unit 170 allows the heated gas to flow through the empty fruit bunch continuously for a predetermined time, for example, from 30 minutes to 90 minutes.

The cooling gas supply unit 180 allows a cooling gas that cools the empty fruit bunches to a temperature required for germination of spore-shaped microorganisms attached to the empty fruit bunches to flow to the empty fruit bunches accommodated in the container 160. More specifically, the cooling gas supply unit 180 supplies the cooling gas near the bottom surface of the storage container 160 and below the porous plate 164. Then, the cooling gas is sent upward from the hole of the perforated plate 164. In this way, the cooling gas reaches the empty fruit bunches accommodated in the container 160, and the empty fruit bunches are cooled by the cooling gas.

Here, the cooling gas is, for example, air at normal temperature (a predetermined temperature of 20 ° C. to 40 ° C.). In addition, the cooling gas supply unit 180 allows the cooling gas to flow through the empty fruit bunch continuously for a predetermined time, for example, from 30 minutes to 90 minutes.

The control unit 185 is composed of a semiconductor integrated circuit including a CPU (central processing unit), reads programs and parameters for operating the CPU itself from the ROM, and cooperates with the RAM as a work area and other electronic circuits. The biomass storage device 150 is managed and controlled. In the present embodiment, the control unit 185 drives and controls the

lids

162a and 162b, the heating gas supply unit 170, and the cooling gas supply unit 180.

(Biomass production method)
Then, the biomass manufacturing method using the said biomass manufacturing system 100 is demonstrated. FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the processing flow of the biomass production method.

As shown in FIG. 3, the biomass production method according to the present embodiment includes a cooking step S110, a fruit removal step S120, a charging step S130, a germination cooling step S140, a germination step S150, and a sterilization (sterilization) step. S160, final cooling step S170, and unloading step S180 are included. Hereinafter, each process is explained in full detail.

(Steaming step S110)
The steaming step S110 is a step in which the steaming device 110 supplies steam to the oil palm fruit bunch and steams the oil palm fruit bunch at a predetermined temperature of 90 ° C. to 110 ° C. By performing steaming process S110, the coupling | bonding of a fruit part and an empty fruit bunch can be weakened, and it becomes possible to isolate | separate a fruit part and an empty fruit bunch easily in subsequent fruit removal process S120. . In addition, an enzyme such as lipase contained in the oil palm fruit bunch can be inactivated, and deterioration of oil contained in the fruit portion can be suppressed.

In addition, the structure in which the oil palm bunch is steamed at a predetermined temperature of 90 ° C. to 110 ° C. allows germination of microbes that are present in the oil palm bunch and cannot be easily killed by heat of 100 ° C. or higher. Can be transformed into vegetative cells.

(Defruiting step S120)
The fruit removal step S120 is a step in which the fruit removal device 120 separates the oil palm fruit bunch cooked in the cooking step S110 into a fruit portion and an empty fruit bunch.

(Input process (accommodation process) S130)
In the charging step (accommodating step) S130, first, according to a control command from the control unit 185, the lid 162b is driven to close the carry-out port 160b, and the lid 162a is driven to open the charging port 160a. Note that when the carry-out port 160b is already closed, the lid 162b is not driven, and when the inlet 160a is opened, the lid 162a is not driven.

Then, an empty fruit bunch is introduced into the storage container 160 through the insertion port 160a by a carrying device (not shown), and the empty fruit bunch is accommodated.

(Cooling process for germination S140)
The cooling process S140 for germination, which is a part of the germination process, adheres to the empty fruit bunch by cooling or leaving the empty fruit bunch produced by performing the steaming process S110 and the defruiting process S120, and is steamed. Predetermined conditions required for germination of the spore-like microorganisms that have been subjected to (treatment in the cooking step S110) are created. Here, the predetermined condition required for germination of the spore-like microorganism is that the empty fruit bunches are brought to room temperature (a predetermined temperature of 20 ° C. to 40 ° C.).

In the germination cooling step S140, the empty fruit bunches may be cooled by allowing to cool (stand), or the control unit 185 drives the cooling gas supply unit 180 to supply the cooling gas, for example, for 30 minutes to The empty fruit bunch may be cooled by allowing it to flow through the empty fruit bunch continuously for a predetermined time in 90 minutes.

(Germination condition maintenance process S150)
In the germination condition maintaining step S150, which is a part of the germination step, the predetermined conditions required for germination of the spore-like microorganisms created in the germination cooling step S140 are set in advance, for example, in advance from 16 hours to 3 days. Maintain for a specified time.

By performing the germination condition maintaining step S150, it becomes possible to germinate spore-shaped microorganisms attached to the empty fruit bunch.

(Sterilization (sterilization) step S160)
The sterilization step S160 is a step of creating and maintaining a predetermined condition required for killing the germinated microorganisms by heating the empty fruit bunches to which the germinated microorganisms adhere by performing the germination condition maintaining step S150. . Here, the predetermined condition required for the killing of the microorganisms is to set the empty fruit bunches to a predetermined temperature of, for example, 90 ° C. to 110 ° C. In addition, the time for maintaining the predetermined condition is, for example, a predetermined time from 30 minutes to 90 minutes. Here, “sterilization” means a process of killing microorganisms to such an extent that the occurrence of spontaneous ignition can be suppressed. That is, this term also means a treatment that annihilates the microorganism.

Specifically, in the sterilization step S160, the control unit 185 drives the heating gas supply unit 170 to supply heating gas (here, water vapor having a predetermined temperature of 90 ° C. to 110 ° C.) to the storage container 160. For example, it is allowed to flow through the empty fruit bunch continuously for a predetermined time of 30 minutes to 90 minutes.

There is a problem in killing microorganisms in a spore state (microorganisms that cause hydrogen generation) by increasing the temperature of the cooking in the cooking step S110. In other words, for the oil palm fruit bunch, it is maintained under standard sterilization treatment (saturated steam at 121 ° C. (saturated steam at about 2 atm) for 15 minutes or more, maintained at 180 ° C. for 30 minutes or more, or 160 ° C. It is theoretically possible to kill microorganisms in the spore state by maintaining the atmosphere for 1 hour or longer), but all the parts, including the parts that are difficult to transmit heat, will reach the conditions for the microorganisms to die. It is necessary to make the treatment time longer than the minimum condition, or to raise the temperature to a higher temperature, which may denature the fruit portion and reduce the original production amount of oil. Therefore, in the steaming step S110, it is difficult to kill spores of microorganisms without denaturing the fruit portion.

Therefore, after performing the steaming step S110 and the defruiting step S120, it is conceivable to perform a standard sterilization treatment on the empty fruit bunch to kill spores of microorganisms. However, in order to maintain an empty fruit bunch for 15 minutes or more under saturated steam at 121 ° C., a dedicated pressure vessel is required, which increases the cost required for the pressure vessel. Similarly, in order to maintain an empty fruit bunch for 30 minutes or more in an atmosphere at 180 ° C. or to maintain an empty fruit bunch for 1 hour or more in an atmosphere at 160 ° C., a dedicated heat-resistant container is required, The cost for the container and heating will increase.

On the other hand, when germinating microorganisms in the spore state, the microorganisms can be killed at a temperature lower than the standard sterilization treatment such as 90 ° C. to 110 ° C.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, first, the germination cooling step S140 and the germination condition maintaining step S150 (that is, the germination step) are performed to germinate the spore-like microorganism, and then the sterilization step S160 is performed, Kill germinated microorganisms. With this configuration, microorganisms can be killed at a low temperature compared to a standard sterilization treatment. Therefore, a dedicated pressure-resistant container or heat-resistant container is not required, and microorganisms that cause hydrogen generation can be killed at a lower cost than standard sterilization treatment.

This makes it possible to prevent spontaneous ignition at low cost when storing a large amount of empty fruit bunches.

The final cooling step S170 is a step for cooling the heated empty fruit bunches so as to be easily carried out by simply performing the sterilization step S160. In the final cooling step S170, the empty fruit bunches may be cooled by standing to cool, or the controller 185 drives the cooling gas supply part 180 to supply the cooling gas to cool the empty fruit bunches. May be.

The unloading step S180 is a step of unloading the empty fruit bunches cooled to about room temperature by the final cooling step S170. The empty fruit buns thus carried out are used effectively as fuel or as a raw material for ethanol.

As described above, according to the biomass production system 100 (biomass storage device 150) and the biomass production method using the biomass production system 100 according to the present embodiment, it becomes a generation factor of hydrogen attached to the biomass (empty fruit bunch). Since microorganisms can be sterilized, the risk of spontaneous ignition by microorganisms can be reduced. Moreover, since microorganisms do not consume organic matter, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the amount of heat of biomass.

In the series of steps described above, the cooking step S110 and the defruiting step S120 may be omitted. That is, the empty fruit bunches (accommodated) in the storage container 160 may be those that have been previously subjected to a steaming process and a fruit removal process.

(First modification)
FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a biomass production system 200 according to the first modification. As shown in FIG. 4, the biomass production system 200 according to the first modification includes a steaming device 110, a fruit removal device 120, and two biomass storage devices 150 (indicated by 150 A and 150 B in FIG. 4). . That is, compared with the biomass production system 100, the biomass production system 200 includes two biomass storage devices 150. Hereinafter, a procedure for repeatedly carrying out sterilized biomass every day by providing two biomass storage devices 150 will be described.

FIG. 5 is a time chart of the two

biomass storage devices

150A and 150B. In FIG. 5, the steps to be performed are indicated by arrows. As shown in FIG. 5, for example, on the first day, in the biomass storage device 150A, the charging step S130, the germination cooling step S140, and the germination condition maintaining step S150 are performed. On the first day, the biomass storage device 150B does not perform the process.

On the second day, the sterilization step S160, the final cooling step S170, and the unloading step S180 are performed in the biomass storage device 150A, and the charging step S130, the germination cooling step S140, and the germination condition maintaining step are performed in the biomass storage device 150B. Perform S150.

Further, on the third day, in the biomass storage device 150A, the charging step S130, the germination cooling step S140, and the germination condition maintaining step S150 are performed, and in the biomass storage device 150B, the sterilization step S160, the final cooling step S170, and the unloading step. S180 is performed.

Thereafter, the processing on the second day and the processing on the third day are repeated. Thereby, it becomes possible to carry out the sterilized empty fruit bunch repeatedly every day using the

biomass storage devices

150A and 150B.

(Second modification)
In the embodiment described above, by performing the germination cooling step S140, the germination condition maintaining step S150, and the sterilization step S160 one by one, the biomass production system 100 that kills microorganisms attached to the biomass (empty fruit bunch) and the biomass production system 100 The biomass production method used was described. However, if there are germs in the spore state that did not germinate even when the germination cooling step S140 and the germination condition maintaining step S150 are performed, the microorganisms may remain to some extent.

Therefore, in the second modified example, the step of germinating the spore-like microorganism (that is, the germination cooling step and the germination condition maintaining step) and the germicidal step of sterilizing the germinated microorganism are alternately performed a plurality of times. By doing, the biomass manufacturing system which can sterilize microorganisms more effectively, and the biomass manufacturing method using the same are demonstrated.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a biomass production system 300 according to the second modification. As shown in FIG. 6, the biomass production system 300 includes a steaming device 110, a fruit removal device 120, and three biomass storage devices 150 (indicated by 150 A, 150 B, and 150 C in FIG. 6). That is, compared with the biomass production system 100, the biomass production system 300 includes three biomass storage devices 150.

Hereinafter, a biomass manufacturing method using the biomass manufacturing system 300 will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining a process flow of the biomass manufacturing method according to the second modification. As shown in FIG. 7, the biomass production method according to the second modification includes a steaming step S110, a defruiting step S120, a charging (accommodating) step S130, a germination cooling step S140, and a germination condition maintaining step S150. , A sterilization step S160, a germination cooling step S340, a germination condition maintaining step S350, a sterilization (sterilization) step S360, a final cooling step S170, and an unloading step S180. Compared with the biomass production method described in the above embodiment, in the biomass production method according to the second modification, the germination cooling step is performed after the sterilization step S160 and before the final cooling step S170. S340, germination condition maintenance process S350, and sterilization process S360 are performed. Hereinafter, germination cooling step S340, germination condition maintaining step S350, and sterilization step S360 will be described in detail.

(Cooling process for germination S340)
As in the germination cooling step S140, the germination cooling step S340, which is a part of the germination step, is performed by cooling or leaving the empty fruit bunch heated in the first sterilization step S160, so that the germination cooling step S340 can be continued. A predetermined condition required for germination of the spore-like microorganism remaining in the empty fruit bunches is created. Again, the predetermined condition required for germination of spore-like microorganisms is that the empty fruit bunches are at room temperature (a predetermined temperature of 20 ° C. to 40 ° C.).

In the germination cooling step S340, the empty fruit bunches may be cooled by allowing to cool (stand), or the control unit 185 drives the cooling gas supply unit 180 to supply the cooling gas, for example, for 30 minutes to The empty fruit bunch may be cooled by allowing it to flow through the empty fruit bunch continuously for a predetermined time in 90 minutes.

(Sprouting condition maintaining step S350)
In the germination condition maintaining step S350 forming a part of the germination step, the predetermined conditions required for germination of the spore-like microorganisms created in the germination cooling step S340 are set in advance in, for example, 16 hours to 3 days. Maintain for a specified time.

By performing the germination condition maintaining step S350, the spore-like microorganisms remaining in the empty fruit bunches can be germinated even in the first sterilization step S160.

In addition, in the first sterilization step S160 before performing the germination cooling step S340 and the germination condition maintaining step S350, the heating gas supply unit 170 supplies water vapor to the empty fruit bunches to which the germinated microorganisms adhere, The empty fruit bunch is heated. Thus, by supplying water vapor, it becomes possible to efficiently germinate spore-shaped microorganisms in the germination condition maintaining step S350.

(Sterilization (sterilization) step S360)
In the sterilization step S360, as in the sterilization step S160, the control unit 185 drives the heating gas supply unit 170 to supply the heating gas (here, water vapor having a predetermined temperature of 90 ° C. to 110 ° C.). For example, it is allowed to flow through the empty fruit bunch continuously for a predetermined time of 30 minutes to 90 minutes. In this way, by performing the second germination cooling step S340 and the germination condition maintaining step S350, heating the empty fruit bunches to which germinated microorganisms adhere, thereby maintaining the predetermined conditions required for the death of the microorganisms. To do. Again, the predetermined condition required for the killing of the microorganisms is to bring the empty fruit bunches to a predetermined temperature of 90 ° C to 110 ° C. In addition, the time for maintaining the predetermined condition is, for example, a predetermined time from 30 minutes to 90 minutes. As in the sterilization step S160, “sterilization” here means a process of killing microorganisms to such an extent that at least the occurrence of spontaneous ignition can be suppressed.

As described above, according to the biomass production system 300 and the biomass production method using the same according to the second modification, the germinated microorganisms are heated and sterilized at least twice (including the steaming step S110). Therefore, microorganisms attached to the biomass (empty fruit bunches) and causing hydrogen generation can be more effectively sterilized.

Hereinafter, a procedure for repeatedly carrying out the biomass sterilized a plurality of times every day using the biomass production system 300 will be described.

FIG. 8 is a time chart of the three

biomass storage devices

150A, 150B, and 150C. In FIG. 8, the steps to be performed are indicated by arrows. As shown in FIG. 8, for example, on the first day, in the biomass storage device 150A, the charging step S130, the germination cooling step S140, and the germination condition maintaining step S150 are performed. On the first day, the

biomass storage devices

150B and 150C do not perform processing.

On the second day, the sterilization step S160, the germination cooling step S340, and the germination condition maintaining step S350 are performed in the biomass storage device 150A, and the charging step S130, the germination cooling step S140, germination are performed in the biomass storage device 150B. The condition maintaining step S150 is performed. On the second day, the biomass container 150C does not perform processing.

Further, on the third day, the sterilization step S360, the final cooling step S170, and the unloading step S180 are performed in the biomass storage device 150A, and the sterilization step S160, the germination cooling step S340, and the germination condition maintaining step are performed in the biomass storage device 150B. S350 is performed, and in the biomass container 150C, the charging step S130, the germination cooling step S140, and the germination condition maintaining step S150 are performed.

On the fourth day, the biomass storage device 150A performs the charging step S130, the germination cooling step S140, and the germination condition maintaining step S150, and in the biomass storage device 150B, the sterilization step S360, the final cooling step S170, and the unloading step. S180 is performed, and the sterilization process S160, the germination cooling process S340, and the germination condition maintaining process S350 are performed in the biomass container 150C.

Thereafter, the process on the second day, the process on the third day, and the process on the fourth day are repeated. Thereby, it becomes possible to carry out the empty fruit bunch sterilized a plurality of times repeatedly every day using the

biomass storage devices

150A, 150B, and 150C.

(Other variations)
The

biomass production systems

100, 200, and 300 described above may further include a solid fuel conversion apparatus 190 illustrated in FIG. In this case, the biomass storage device 150 constitutes a solid fuelizer 190 together with the pulverization unit 192, the drying unit 194, and the molding unit 196. As shown in this figure, the pulverization unit 192, the drying unit 194, and the molding unit 196 are installed in order from the upstream side following the de-fruiting device 120, and the biomass storage device 150 is dried before the pulverization unit 192 and the pulverization unit 192. Between the parts 194, it is installed at any stage subsequent to the molding part 196. Note that any one of the pulverizing unit 192, the drying unit 194, and the forming unit 196 can be omitted depending on the state of the empty fruit bunches (shape, humidity, etc.). Moreover, you may further provide the solid fuelizer 190 and the means (not shown) which adds an additive to an empty fruit bunch.

The crushing unit 192 crushes the empty fruit buns by cutting, crushing, squeezing, etc. (pulverizing step S400). The cell membrane of the empty fruit bunches before being processed in the pulverization step S400 may be fragile or destroyed by the steaming step S110. Therefore, in this case, by performing the pulverization step S400, the above-described cell membrane is further destroyed, and soluble organic substances such as monosaccharides and oligosaccharides that promote the growth of microorganisms and elution of potassium that is an inhibitory component during combustion Can be promoted.

A large amount of water is contained in the empty fruit bunches that have undergone the pulverization process S400 by the pulverization unit 192 or the sterilization process S160 (S360) by the biomass storage device 150. Therefore, the drying unit 194 dries the empty fruit bunches using known heating means such as radiation and hot air (drying step S410). By performing drying process S410, the process in below-mentioned molding process S420 is made easy.

The molding unit 196 further processes the empty fruit bunch dried by the drying unit 194 into a powder, and further compresses the powder into granules using a predetermined mold or the like (molding step S420). A so-called pellet is obtained by this molding. By performing the molding step S420, the amount of heat per unit volume at the time of combustion can be increased.

When the biomass storage device 150 is installed in the front stage of the pulverization unit 192, the empty fruit bunch obtained by the fruit removal device 120 is put into the storage container 160. That is, this empty fruit bunch is heated by the sterilization step S160 (S360) in addition to the cooking step S110. Therefore, elution of the above-mentioned soluble organic matter and potassium can be further promoted.

When the biomass storage device 150 is installed between the pulverization unit 192 and the drying unit 194, the empty fruit bunch pulverized by the pulverization unit 192 is put into the storage container 160. The empty fruit bunches are further pulverized by the pulverization unit 192. Therefore, in the sterilization step S160 (S360), the empty fruit bunches are easily heated to the details, and the empty fruit bunches can be sterilized in a short time and at a low cost.

When the biomass storage device 150 is installed at the subsequent stage of the forming unit 196, empty storage bunches (so-called pellets) formed into a granular shape are put into the storage container 160. Therefore, it is possible to minimize the chance that microorganisms are mixed between the sterilization step S160 (S360) and the shipment of the pellets.

(Example)
The inventors of the present invention supplied 100 ° C. water vapor to the empty fruit bunches for 30 minutes on the first day, allowed to cool, and on the second day supplied 100 ° C. water vapor to the empty fruit bunches for 30 minutes, allowed to cool, On the third day, 100 ° C. water vapor was supplied to the empty fruit bunches for 30 minutes and allowed to cool to produce the sample of the example (empty fruit bunches of the example).

And the empty fruit bunches of this example, untreated empty fruit bunches as comparative example 1, and empty fruit bunches subjected to standard sterilization treatment of comparative example 2 (maintained under saturated steam at 121 ° C. for 20 minutes), respectively About 5 g (wet weight) was collected, water having the same weight as the wet weight was added to each empty fruit bunches, stored in a sealed container, and stored at 30 ° C. for 10 days.

As a result, in Comparative Example 1, 60% of the gas phase became carbon dioxide and 20% of the gas phase became hydrogen in 10 days. In Comparative Example 2, 15% of the gas phase was carbon dioxide. On the other hand, in the Examples, both carbon dioxide and hydrogen were hardly detected even after 30 days had passed (carbon dioxide less than 4%, hydrogen less than 0.1%). That is, in the examples, it was confirmed that the microorganisms were effectively sterilized (sufficiently from the viewpoint of preventing spontaneous ignition), no hydrogen was generated, and organic substances were consumed less (carbon dioxide was generated less).

In Comparative Example 2, the reason why carbon dioxide was generated (consumed organic matter) was because the biomass was modified by exposure to high temperature and high pressure (about 2 atmospheres) such as 121 ° C., or sterilization treatment for 20 minutes. In this case, it is assumed that heat did not reach the back of the empty fruit bunch and the spores of the microorganisms could not be sterilized (sterilized). However, in the examples, the microorganisms in the spore state germinate during cooling and the process of heating the germinated microorganisms was repeated a plurality of times (here, three times) to effectively kill the microorganisms. Guessed.

In addition, assuming that the microorganisms are newly mixed while transporting or storing the empty fruit buns subjected to the above-described biomass production method, the empty fruit buns of the examples have the same weight as the wet weight. Water and soil suspension (microorganism-containing liquid) were added, and the mixture was stored in a sealed container and stored at 30 ° C. for 1 month.

As a result, although 30% of the gas phase became carbon dioxide, it was confirmed that hydrogen remained below 0.3% of the gas phase, much lower than the explosion limit of 4%.

The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the present invention is not limited to such embodiments. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made within the scope of the claims, and these are naturally within the technical scope of the present invention. Is done.

For example, in the above-described embodiment and modifications, oil palm is used as a raw material and empty fruit bunches are used as an example of biomass, but biomass can be obtained by steaming the raw material. There is no limitation as long as it is a solid that can be transported. For example, herbaceous biomass such as rice straw may be used.

Further, in the above-described embodiment and modification, the heating gas supply unit 170 supplies water vapor as the heating gas. However, the heating gas supply unit 170 heats at least the biomass to which the germinated microorganisms adhere and is predetermined for the killing of the microorganisms. As long as the above conditions can be maintained, the gas species is not limited. For example, exhaust gas or air may be used.

Moreover, in the said embodiment and modification, although the cooling gas supply part 180 demonstrated the structure which ventilates air etc. from the downward direction of the biomass accommodated in the storage container 160, if a biomass can be cooled, there will be no limitation in a ventilation direction.

Further, in the above-described embodiments and modifications, the positions and structures of the input port 160a and the carry-out port 160b may be in any form as long as the input work and the carry-out work are possible. For example, a door may be provided so that a cart loaded with empty fruit bunches can be introduced into the storage container 160 and carried out of the storage container 160.

Further, in the sterilization steps S160 and S360, the heating gas supply unit 170 supplies water vapor, thereby heating the biomass to which the germinated microorganisms adhere, and maintaining predetermined conditions required for killing the microorganisms. . However, the heating means is not limited as long as the predetermined conditions required for killing the microorganisms can be maintained. For example, the biomass may be heated by a heater, or far infrared rays may be irradiated.

In the second modification, the structure for repeating the cooling process for germination, the germination condition maintaining process, and the sterilization process is described twice, but it may be repeated three or more times.

In addition, each process of the biomass manufacturing method of this specification does not necessarily need to process in time series along the order described as a flowchart, and may process it in parallel.

The present invention can be used for a biomass manufacturing method for manufacturing biomass and a biomass storage device for storing biomass.

S110 Steaming process S140 Cooling process for germination (germination process)
S150 Germination condition maintenance process (germination process)
S160 Sterilization (sterilization) process S340 Cooling process for germination (germination process)
S350 Germination condition maintenance process (germination process)
S360 Sterilization (sterilization) process 150 Biomass storage device 170 Heated gas supply unit 180 Cooling gas supply unit 190 Solid fuel generation device 200 Biomass production system 300 Biomass production system

Claims

A housing process for housing the biomass in a housing container;
A germination step of creating and maintaining a predetermined condition required for germination of spore-like microorganisms attached to the biomass by cooling or leaving the biomass; and
A sterilization step of creating and maintaining a predetermined condition for killing the microorganism by heating the biomass to which the germinated microorganism has adhered,
The biomass manufacturing method characterized by including.
The biomass production method according to claim 1, further comprising a steaming step of steaming the raw material to supply the biomass to obtain the biomass.
The method for producing biomass according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the germination step and the sterilization step are performed in the container under atmospheric pressure.
The method for producing biomass according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the germination step and the sterilization step are alternately repeated a plurality of times.
The method for producing biomass according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein in the sterilization step, the biomass is heated by supplying water vapor to the biomass to which the germinated microorganisms adhere.
The method for producing biomass according to claim 5, wherein, in the sterilization step, the biomass is heated at a predetermined temperature of 90 ° C to 110 ° C.
The method for producing biomass according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the raw material of the biomass is oil palm, and the biomass is an empty fruit bunch obtained by defruiting the oil palm.
2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising a pulverizing step of pulverizing the biomass, a drying step of drying the biomass pulverized by the pulverizing step, and a molding step of molding the biomass dried by the drying step into particles. The biomass production method according to claim 1.
The biomass production method according to claim 8, wherein the germination step and the sterilization step are performed before the pulverization step.
The biomass production method according to claim 8, wherein the germination step and the sterilization step are performed between the pulverization step and the drying step.
The biomass production method according to claim 8, wherein the germination step and the sterilization step are performed after the molding step.
A container for containing the biomass obtained by steaming the raw material by supplying steam to the raw material of the biomass;
A heating gas supply unit for passing a gas for heating the biomass above the killing temperature of the germinated microorganism attached to the biomass, and flowing the biomass stored in the storage container;
A cooling gas supply section for passing a cooling gas for cooling the biomass to a temperature required for germination of the microorganism in a spore state, and the biomass stored in the storage container;
A biomass storage device comprising: