Patent Grant
6878212
This invention relates to an apparatus, specifically a reactor, and to a process for pre-hydrolysis of any kind of biomass (wood, bagasse, straw, grass, vegetable residues, organic garbage, etc.) to obtain commercial products, such as cellulignin and sugar solutions, pre-hydrolysate layers, containing xylose, glucose, mamose, galactose, arabinose, acethylics, uranic acids, etc. This invention further enables one to manufacture reactors for the digestion of minerals, such as ilmenite, anatasie, columbite, pyrochlore, zirkonite, etc.
Chemical reactors are devices that are defined by a variety of processes for transforming materials, such as chemical, metallurgical, thermal, biotechnological, pharmaceutical materials, etc. Reactors are classified by three criteria:
Other important characteristics of reactors are the materials used to manufacture them. Table 2 gives the basic materials with their respective advantages and disadvantages for high corrosion conditions. The structural materials and those resistant to corrosion, even when used in making reactors, each presents a single disadvantage, which this invention eliminates by making the reactor with a shell and structure made of carbon steel and a coating of special materials (refractory, superalloys, stainless steel and plastics, etc.).
Specifically, the main biomass reactors are of the following types: screw (low volume occupation percentage), tower (high L/S—liquid-solid ratio, tank/percolation (high L/S ratio and plug flow (high L/S ratio). All the types of reactor have complex biomass feed and discharge systems. This invention compacts biomass in the reactor (high rate of volume occupation of the reactor), processes the biomass with low L/S ratio=2, provides feed with a simple helical feeder and immediate discharge due to the fact that the reactor has a large cover and can be divided into small-size and medium-size reactors.
One disadvantage of the reactors of the prior art is that they are subject to implosion due to the fact that their construction does not permit a perfect juxtaposition between the shell and the coating, and there is a vacuum inside the reactor, caused, in most cases, by steam condensation. This invention prevents implosion through the vacuum maintained between the coating and the shell, so as to allow them to be properly juxtaposed.
Another disadvantage of the conventional reactors is the impossibility of continuously and precisely detecting microleakage in the coating. This invention permits the precise detection of microleakage before the occurrence of leakage of corrosive liquids into the steel shell of the reactor. This allows the reactor to be further used, even with microfailures, by adequately programming it for use.
The reactors used in high-corrosion applications do not utilize carbon steel in the shell and tend to be made of expensive monolithic materials. By enabling the identification of microleakages, this invention detects the conditions for accelerated corrosion of the microbonded carbon steel, and this detection facilitates the use thereof, which brings about a significant reduction in the costs of manufacturing the reactor.
The reactors of the prior art are built from thick materials, in order to achieve greater resistance to corrosion. Therefore, sometimes the thickness of the metal in the construction of the reactors has a direct relationship with the safety, and the utilization of very thick plates makes their transportation to areas where there is raw material for their use impossible. The reactor of this invention provides perfect control for detection of failures and allows lighter materials to be used, which reduces the total weight of the reactor and consequently facilitates its transportation.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,338,366 refers to a method and apparatus for pre-hydrolysis of biomass that, among other features that are different from this invention, is very heavy and so remains in a stationary position, which requires raw biomass to be transported to it. In addition, the pre-hydrolysis of biomass is made in various pieces of equipment, which increases the consumption of energy for carrying it out and renders the production process expensive. This invention, in addition to eliminating these drawbacks, facilitates a high concentration of sugar in the pre-hydrolysate, thus reducing the costs of the following processes, and enables one to use deionized water due to the low liquid/solid ratio for the production of clean catalytic cellulignin fuel for use in gas turbines.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,411,594 deals with the hydrolysis of lignocellulose biomass for the production of a single sugar solution and lignin residues. The whole hydrolysis is carried out in two stages (hemicellulose and cellulose) in a continuous reactor and has an L/S ratio of 5:10 with a maximum output of 65%, and, due to the high L/S ratio, there is a complex heat-recovery system. This invention implements the whole process, since it carries out the pre-hydrolysis of hemicellulose in a batch-type reactor with an L/S ratio=2 and has an output of 100% (maximum utilization of raw material): recovery of cellulignin 80% and pre-hydrolysate 20%. The recovery of heat takes place only when discharging the pre-hydrolysate, pre-heating the acidic solution and water in the boiler.
This invention refers to an apparatus, more specifically a reactor or boiler, built with technology that enables use in highly corrosive environments. The new technology consists of inserting a vacuum between it outer coating, the “shell”, and the inner coating, so as to utilize microbonded carbon steel in the shell and structure of the reactor, and special materials, especially refractory metals (Ti, Zr, Nb, Ta, and their alloys) for the inner coating. The vacuum with the coating of refractory material further permits the use of high-resistance (750 MPa) microbonded steel in the manufacture of the ultralight shell of the “egg-shell”-type reactor, enabling oscillation at higher frequencies with higher homogenization of the product and shorter reaction time thereof.
The satisfactory vacuum level is below 1 mm of Hg (1,000 μm), so that the refractory metal coating will not suffer implosion, and so that it is possible to use a helium leakage detector coupled between the reactor and the vacuum pump for detecting and measuring leakage through the microcracks of the welds. Leakage rates of 10−4 Ncm3/min indicate a satisfactory level and leakage rates 100 times higher (10.2 Ncm3/min) indicate the need for repair of the welding cracks or those developed during operation of the reactor. Another characteristic of the invention is the possibility of maintaining and maybe replacing the coating of refractory metal altogether, with high aggregated value for recovery of these scrapped metals due to the carbon steel reactor's juxtaposed manufacture, maintained by the vacuum and without welding to the shell.
The vacuum between the shell of the reactor and the coating maintains the thin coating of special metal juxtaposed to the steel shell, preventing the implosion of the reactor, even when there is vacuum inside it, due to the condensation of steam and other causes. The use of vacuum, among other advantages, also permits continuous or intermittent detection of microleakage in the coating of the reactor by injecting helium gas into the reactor and detecting with a leak detector) in the vacuum pump.
Due to this characteristic, this invention is called “failsafe-type reactor”, by means of which one detects and measures microleakage in periods of days or months before the occurrence of leakage of corrosive liquids into the shell of the carbon steel. This characteristic enables one to use the reactor even with microfailures, and to program its repair or replacement after the industrial session or campaign has finished. One should note the significance of this characteristic of the invention for enabling one to use carbon steel in the reactor shell for high-corrosion applications, without which leakage and consequently accelerated corrosion of the microbonded carbon steel would not be identified.
The apparatus of this invention, in being lighter than those of the prior art, permits oscillation during its hydrolysis process, which allows the limit-layer of the sugar-saturated liquid to be renewed on the surface of the biomass chips or particulate, thus bringing about a homogeneous product. Pre-hydrolysis coupled with oscillation and purging of steam will provide the characteristic of catalytic combustion of the cellulignin.
One objective of the invention is to provide the use of carbon steel in processes carried out in highly corrosive mediums.
Another objective of this invention is to identify corrosion of carbon steel used in the reactor.
Another objective of this invention is to prevent implosion of the reactor, even when there is a vacuum inside it.
Another objective of this invention is to permit detection of leakage or even microleakage in reactors.
Another objective of this invention is to enable one to program periods of maintenance or repair of the reactor adequately.
Another objective of this invention it to reduce the weight of the reactor and to enable one to transport it to places where there are raw materials.
Another objective of this invention is to reduce the costs of manufacturing the reactor by virtue of the possibility of using cheaper materials.
Another objective of this invention is to enable one to use a more resistant steel as shell/outer coating, so as to permit oscillation at higher frequencies, in order to better homogenize the product and shorten its reaction time.
Another objective of this invention is to meet the requirements of Resolution CONAMA No. 20 of Jun. 18, 1986, published in the D.O.U. (Official Gazette) of Jul. 30, 1986, in washing waters, imparting to the invention totally ecological features.
a shows an embodiment of the reactor in cross-section and its manufacture details.
b is a side view showing the placing of an embodiment of the reactor on a transporting cart.
c is a top view of an embodiment of the reactor with a feeder.
d is a rear view of an embodiment of the reactor on the transporting cart.
e is a front view of an embodiment of the reactor positioned on pillars in the biomass store with the cellulignin-unloading cart
The flowchart of biomass processing is shown in
The invention defines a new technology of manufacturing chemical reactors for processes in highly corrosive environments.
The conditions of internal corrosion of the reactor for different materials, temperature and acid content are given in Table 3, whence the following conclusions are drawn:
The details of
Another feature of this invention is the use of elastomer rings (voton, silicone, teflon, and others) having a circular or trapezoidal cross-section on all the covers, connections and vacuum sealing in the coating. The sizing of the sealing rings follow standards of pressure and vacuum sealing. The type of ring is chosen in function of the temperature. When processing minerals or biomass, the temperature usually is around 200° C., and the ring chosen is made of viton. On the other hand, for average temperatures, the ring should be of teflon/glass fiber/carbon fiber, the metallic one being most recommended for high temperatures.
In addition to biomass and minerals, it is possible to process any type of material in the “failsafe type reactor” (polymerization, foodstuffs, medicaments, synthesis of products, etc.), provided that the conditions of corrosion of the coating are respected. In highly aggressive conditions, one uses Ta, either pure or doped with platinum, which are insuperable materials compared with any other commercial material. For less aggressive conditions, the “failsafe” technique permits the use of lower quality noble coatings, mentioned in Table 2 (stainless materials, nickel alloys, thermoplastics, elastomers, reinforced thermocured plastic, etc.), provided that the conditions of temperature, pressure, corrosion, abrasion, and strength of the material are respected.
The external conditions of corrosion of carbon steel are more aggressive at the moment of discharge of the products (cellulignin, minerals, etc.). Steams were condensed at the moment of discharge, their pH was measured, and various steels painted with bituminous epoxy paint were tested.
Table 4 gives the comparison of the costs/m2 of the reactors coated with Ti, Nb and monolithic made of stainless steel and hastelloy. In addition to the technical superiority, they have lower costs than the monolithic reactors.
The main characteristics of this invention are shown in
The reactor body is composed of the cylindrical portion 1.1, cap 1.2, inlet nozzle 1.3, inlet cover 1.4, conical sector 1.5, circular or radial sliding ring with wedges or pins 1.6, discharge cover with support of the wedge 1.7, valve connections, meters, accessories, etc. 1.8, hinge 1.9, articulation and hydraulic cylinder for closing the cover 1.10, hydraulic cylinder for closing and opening the wedges 1.11. The bipartition of the reactor is illustrated in detail A, which enables the assembly and disassembly of the special metal coating without welding or unwelding the steel shell of the reactor. For small reactors, the cover is displaced for bi-partition, the conical sector being eliminated (for very small reactors, the shell and the coating may be juxtaposed only by fitting, without the need for welding). The cylindrical body is slightly conical to facilitate the assembly and disassembly of the coating. The latter is welded, in great part, prior to the assembly, the parts shown in details A—F remaining to be welded within the reactor shell. This technology is fundamental to make possible the welding dose to the steel body of the reactor (melting point of 1760°) of the special metals having a high melting point (1800° C.-3100° C.), preventing the contamination thereof with Fe. The opening and dosing of the cover is done by means of two hydraulic systems, the first one commanding the internal-pressure support wedges of the reactor, maintaining the confinement pressure of the sealing ring (o-ring) of viton of the acidic solutions. This sealing ring supports for months or years the repetitive opening and closing during the operations.
The tilting system is composed of structure 1.12, pivot 1.13, and hydraulic cylinder 1.14. The latter is utilized to tip and shake the reactor during the operation of discharging the cellulignin, since it is a solid material. The horizontal motion system is composed of a cart 1.15 and a hydraulic cylinder 1.16. Alternately, the reactor may be fixed and the feeder may be horizontally moved. The fixed structure 1.17 supports the reactor and the feeder, and thereby the reactor can be detached from the cart to the support pillars (see
The special metal coating 2.1 and 2.2 is made according to the details A —F. The main stresses on the coating occur on the inlet nozzle at the moment of loading of the reactor and on the cylindrical body, due to the movement of the turning oscillation system. The stresses are low, and the life time of the coating longer than ten years is determined by the fatigue failure. The sealings are made with an elastomer ring on the discharge cover 2.3, in the bipartition 2.4, between the coating and the reactor shell 2.5. The protection against the melting of the steel and the contamination of the refractory metal weld with Fe is done with sacrifice rings of refractory metal 2.6.
The connections and valves of the reactor are intended for the entrance of water and acidic solution 3.1, entrance of steam 3.2, exit of steam 3.3, vacuum in the reactor body 3.4.1, in the conic sector 3.4.2, in the cover 3.4.3, discharge of the hydrolysate 3.5, valve for collecting pre-hydrolysate for analysis 3.6. The entrance of vapors is at the lower portion and they are distributed by a perforated tube. The entrance of liquid (water or acidic solution) is at the upper portion. Obviously, inlets for liquids and vapors do not present any problem of clogging. The steam outlet is at the upper portion through a perforated pipe, and the hydrolysate discharge is located at the lower portion at the conic sector, which is protected by perforated plate inside the reactor to avoid clogging. A sporadic steam return is foreseen on the plate and perforated tube for unclogging the steam outlet through a by-pass valve between the steam inlet and outlet, after the flexible tube for entrance of steam 3.7 and 3.8. Alternatively, one may use a rotary scraper for the perforated plates. The connections and valves are connected to the inlet supports of the flexible rotation tubes 4 by rigid pipes.
The flexible rotation tubes 5 are constituted by various units: water and acidic solution inlet 5.1, steam inlet 5.2, steam outlet 5.3, vacuum 5.4 and others. The maximum rotation permitted is a =±45° C., so that no liquid will flow through the steam outlet. The level of the acidic solution is maintained below the water line (
The intermediate piping 7 are constituted by the same components of the flexible rotation tubes 7.1-7.4 and interconnect the outlets of the flexible rotation tubes to the inlets of the flexible tilting tubes.
The flexible tilting tubes 8 are constituted by the same components as the intermediate piping 8.1-8.4 and are designed for enabling one to tilt the reactor with its support structure for discharging of the cellulignin. The outlet of the flexible tilting tubes are connected to the fixed piping 9.1-9.4. The latter connect the flexible tilting tubes to the set of valve pipes 9.5 installed on the control panel located beneath the feeder 16.
The vacuum sensors 10 are constituted by four units: reactor body 10.1, conic sector 10.2, reactor cover 10.3, and the piping of the vacuum pump 10.4. The closing of the pertinent valves and the viewing of the vacuum drop enable one to determine a possible leakage in the special metal coating.
The pressure gauge 11 is of the diaphragm type, in order to resist acidic mediums, and the temperature gauge 12 is protected by a protection shaft of the same material as the coating.
The hydraulic system 13 drives the following units in this order hydraulic motor of the helical feeder 14.1, motion hydraulic cylinder 1.16, hydraulic cylinder of the closing cover 1.10, hydraulic motor of the oscillating rotary system 1.19, hydraulic tilting cylinder 1.14, hydraulic cylinders for opening the wedges 1.11. Please note that there is no simultaneity of any operation, the higher power prevailing, which is that of the hydraulic motor of the helical feeder 14.1.
The feeder is composed of a hydraulic motor 14.1, a semi-axle of the propeller 14.2, feeder propeller 14.3, feeder cradle 14.4, a conical feeder nozzle 14.5, and a coif 14.6. The feeder should fill the reactor in a period of 10 minutes. It is built of microbonded carbon steel, protected with bituminous epoxy paint. The space below the feeder is occupied by the control panel 16 (liquids, steams, meters, electric system, etc.), a hydraulic system 13, a vacuum pump 15, a leakage detector 17, work tools and working devices, etc.
The fixed structure of the reactor and the feeder accommodate in a standard cart with a platform located at 960 mm from the ground 18, maximum height of the lower equipment at 4.400 mm and within the road standards. The equipment is transported to biomass courts, where it is raised with hydraulic jacks and supported on beams and pillars at the desired processing height (
The complementary pieces of equipment of the reactor are: heat exchanger 19, water pressure pump 20.1 and acidic solution discharge 20.2, water deionizer 21, boiler 22, and support structure 23. The latter is transported on standard carts 18, elevated and supported in the same way as the explained before.
The pre-hydrolysis may be carried out in any type of biomass, such as wood, and sugar-cane bagasse and straw, vegetable residues, barks, grass, organic part of garbage, etc. The pre-hydrolysis process follows these steps:
The biomass pre-hydrolysis process executed by the Failsafe-Type reactor generates two products (two commodities): cellulignin and pre-hydrolysate.
Cellulignin
As regards cellulignin, it should be noted that wood is composed of hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin disposed in microfibrillae. The objective of the pre-hydrolysis executed in the Failsafe-Type reactor is to digest the hemicellulose and amorphous cellulose, leaving the cellulose intact in its crystalline form and the lignin in the globulized form. All these features have been achieved and shown in the microphotograph of FIG. 3. This microphotograph shows the fractal of the fibers of crystalline cellulose with the globulized cellulignin, where the empty spaces were occupied by the hemicellulose and amorphous cellulose prior to the pre-hydrolysis.
This result has the following characteristics:
The cost of drying using noble fuels (wood—US $10.00/stere—US$1.80/t of cellulignin or GLP−US $ 0.50/kg−US$ 9.00/t of cellulignin) is always very expensive, and so one should use residual heat at 125° C. of the boilers. As a result, the drying and grinding should always be made close to the thermoelectric station or boiler, using residual heat;
(a)Produced with non-deionized water;
(b)Produced with deionized water;
(c)Values in ppm.
(d)Normal;
(e)Natural gas or diesel oil;
(f)13% for cellulignin, 30% for the support
This result is highly significant, since
Pre-Hydrolysate
The pre-hydrolysate is a solution of sugars containing xylose (80%), glucose, mamose, galactose, arabinose, acetylics, uranic acids, etc. In addition to the sugars, it contains sulfuric acid added in the pre-hydrolysis process and inorganic impurities given in Table 7. The high control of process of the Failsafe-Type reactor allows one to carry out a virtually perfect pre-hydrolysis, permitting the digestion of all the products that are easily hydrolyzable, while preventing the decomposition of the sugars due to the low temperature of the process (160° C.). The content of soluble sugars (Bricks) is follow minute by minute, and the process is discontinued (beginning of the discharge, depressurization, cooling) as soon as the Bricks passes by a maximum. The low L/S ratio=2 allows one to achieve sugars content on the order of 10 Bricks similar to other broths (cane, maize, etc.). The pre-hydrolysate in general has pH=1. The recovery of sugars (type of washing with L/S=1) generates a pre-hydrolysate with Bricks on the order of 5 an pH=1.5, which may be mixed with the former or not, for further processing.
The pre-hydrolysate has three main applications: production of furfural by the two-state technique (dehydration of pentoses), production of ethanol (engineered echerichia coli bacterium) and production of xylitol (catalytic hydrogenation of D. xylose).
It should be understood that the example of reactor described together with the values mentioned are only illustrative and does not limit the protection scope of the invention.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9902607 | Jun 1999 | BR | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCTBR00/00065 | 6/23/2000 | WO | 00 | 5/19/2002 |
| Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| WO0078446 | 12/28/2000 | WO | A |
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| 1 569 138 | Jun 1980 | GB |
| WO 9926720 | Jun 1999 | WO |
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