EARLIEST PRIORITY DATE

This Application claims priority from a Complete patent application filed in India having Patent Application No. 202231035629, filed on June 21, 2022, and titled “A SYSTEM AND A METHOD FOR PROCESSING BIOMASS USING METHANE”.

FIELD OF INVENTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to the field of biological treatment and more particularly to a system and a method for processing biomass using methane.

BACKGROUND

Agricultural processing includes transforming, packaging, sorting, or grading agricultural products into goods which are used for intermediate or final consumption. The agricultural products include livestock, livestock products, agricultural commodities, plants, and plant products. Drying the agricultural products may provide longer shelf life and improved flavor to the agricultural products. Currently, fossil fuels are being used for drying the agricultural products.

The fossil fuels are non-renewable in nature. Burning the fossil fuels may cause harmful emissions. Usage of the fossil fuels cause deposition of anthraquinone in the agricultural products. Consumption of the anthraquinone may cause abdominal cramps, gastrointestinal discomforts, vomiting, dermatitis, nausea, bloody diarrhea and dizziness in humans. Also, current technology fails to address menace of biowastes getting generated due to human activities.

Hence, there is a need for an improved system and method for processing biomass using methane to address the aforementioned issue(s).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, a system for processing biomass using methane is provided. The system includes a grinder adapted to grind one or more raw materials supplied by a feed platform in presence of water to obtain slurry. The system also includes an aerobic digester operatively coupled to the grinder. The aerobic digester is adapted to treat a plurality of suspended particles in the slurry obtained by the grinder to provide treated slurry. The system further includes an anaerobic digester operatively coupled to the aerobic digester. The anaerobic digester includes a continuous stirred tank reactor adapted to produce the methane from the treated slurry provided by the aerobic digester. The system also includes a gas handling unit adapted to condition the methane produced by the continuous stirred tank reactor to provide conditioned methane. The gas handling unis is also adapted to supply the conditioned methane to one or more burners for processing the biomass.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for processing biomass using methane is provided. The method includes grinding, by a grinder, one or more raw materials supplied by a feed platform in presence of water to provide slurry. The method also includes treating, by an aerobic digester, a plurality of suspended particles in the slurry provided by the grinder to provide treated slurry. The method further includes producing, by a continuous stirred tank reactor of an anaerobic digestor, methane from the treated slurry provided by the aerobic digester. The method also includes conditioning, by a gas handling unit, the methane produced by the continuous stirred tank reactor to provide conditioned methane. The method includes supplying, by the gas handling unit, the conditioned methane to one or more burners for processing the biomass.

To further clarify the advantages and features of the present disclosure, a more particular description of the disclosure will follow by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which are illustrated in the appended figures. It is to be appreciated that these figures depict only typical embodiments of the disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting in scope. The disclosure will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the appended figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying figures in which: FIG. 1 is a block diagram representation of a system for processing biomass using methane in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of one embodiment of the system of FIG. 1, depicting one or more burners in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of another embodiment of the system of FIG. 1, depicting operational arrangement of a continuous stirred tank reactor in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 4 is a flow chart representing the steps involved in a method for processing biomass using methane in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Further, those skilled in the art will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and may not have necessarily been drawn to scale. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the figures by conventional symbols, and the figures may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the figures with details that will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the figures and specific language will be used to describe them. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended. Such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the disclosure as would normally occur to those skilled in the art are to be construed as being within the scope of the present disclosure.

The terms "comprises", "comprising", or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process or method that comprises a list of steps does not include only those steps but may include other steps not expressly listed or inherent to such a process or method. Similarly, one or more devices or sub-systems or elements or structures or components preceded by "comprises... a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other devices, sub-systems, elements, structures, components, additional devices, additional sub-systems, additional elements, additional structures, or additional components. Appearances of the phrase "in an embodiment", "in another embodiment" and similar language throughout this specification may, but not necessarily do, all refer to the same embodiment.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this disclosure belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are only illustrative and not intended to be limiting.

In the following specification and the claims, reference will be made to a number of terms, which shall be defined to have the following meanings. The singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a system and a method for processing biomass using methane. In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, a system and method for processing biomass using methane is provided. The system includes a grinder adapted to grind one or more raw materials supplied by a feed platform in presence of water to obtain slurry. The system also includes an aerobic digester operatively coupled to the grinder. The aerobic digester is adapted to treat a plurality of suspended particles in the slurry obtained by the grinder to provide treated slurry. The system further includes an anaerobic digester operatively coupled to the aerobic digester. The anaerobic digester includes a continuous stirred tank reactor adapted to produce the methane from the treated slurry provided by the aerobic digester. The system also includes a gas handling unit adapted to condition the methane produced by the continuous stirred tank reactor to provide conditioned methane. The gas handling unis is also adapted to supply the conditioned methane to one or more burners for processing the biomass.

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a system (10) for processing biomass using methane in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The system (10) includes a grinder (20) adapted to grind one or more raw materials supplied by a feed platform in presence of water to obtain slurry. In one embodiment, the system (10) may include a weigh bridge adapted to weigh the one or more raw materials. In an exemplary embodiment, quantity of the one or more raw materials may be 20 metric tons and quantity of the water may be 20 kilo liters. In one embodiment, the one or more raw materials may include, but not limited to, agricultural residue, cow dung, kitchen waste tea leaves and the like.

Further, the system (10) also includes an aerobic digester (30) operatively coupled to the grinder (20). The aerobic digester (30) is adapted to treat a plurality of suspended particles in the slurry obtained by the grinder (20) to provide treated slurry. In one embodiment, the aerobic digestor (30) may be treating the plurality of suspended particles in the slurry by at least one of a process including hydrolysis and acidification. In one embodiment, a compressor may be supplying air to the aerobic digestor (30). In one embodiment, the system (10) may include a transfer pump to transfer the slurry in to the aerobic digestor (30).

Also, the system (10) further includes an anaerobic digester (40) operatively coupled to the aerobic digester (30). In one embodiment, the anaerobic digestor (40) and the aerobic digestor (30) may be insulated. In some embodiments, the anaerobic digestor (40) and the aerobic digestor (30) may be placed in a single enclosure. The anaerobic digester (40) includes a continuous stirred tank reactor (50) adapted to produce the methane from the treated slurry provided by the aerobic digester (30). In one embodiment, the methane produced may be having concentration between 55 % and 60 %.

Moreover, in one embodiment, a solar heater may be adapted to maintain a predefined temperature inside the continuous stirred tank reactor (50) to aid production of the methane. In some embodiments, residue left in the anaerobic digester (40) after production of the methane may be used as fertilizers. In such an embodiment, the residue may be collected in a sand filter tank. In an exemplary embodiment, potential of hydrogen value of the residue may be at least 7. In such an embodiment, quantity of the residue may be 35 kilo liters.

Additionally, in one embodiment, the residue may include, solid residue, liquid residue and the like. In one embodiment, the liquid residue may include nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, carbon and moisture in percentages of at least 2.2, 0.4, 0.4, 25 and 10 respectively with respect to weight of the liquid residue. In one embodiment, the solid residue may be having moisture content between 80% and 90% with respect to weight of the solid reside. In one embodiment, the continuous stirred tank reactor (50) is made up of reinforced cement concrete. In such an embodiment, hydraulic retention time of the continuous stirred tank reactor (50) may be 25 days. In some embodiments, process involving production of the methane from the treated slurry including at least one of an acetogenesis and methanogenesis.

Further, the system (10) also includes a gas handling unit (60) adapted to condition the methane produced by the continuous stirred tank reactor (50) to provide conditioned methane. In one embodiment, the conditioned methane may be stored in a neoprene balloon. In an exemplary embodiment, capacity of the neoprene balloon may be 2400 cubic meters. The gas handling unis is also adapted to supply the conditioned methane to one or more burners (70) for processing the biomass. In a specific embodiment, processing the biomass may include, but note limited to, heating, drying, burning and the like. In one embodiment, the conditioned methane may be supplied to the one or more burners (70) via one or more blowers. In some embodiments, the gas handling unit (60) may include one or more filters adapted to increase concentration of the methane produced by the continuous stirred tank reactor (50).

Furthermore, in some embodiments, the one or more burners (70) may include a control unit adapted to control burner output by controlling at least one of quantity of air and quantity of the conditioned methane provided to the one or more burners (70). In one embodiment, the one or more burners (70) may include a photocell sensor adapted to monitor output of the one or more burners (70). In a specific embodiment, the one or more burners (70) may include a gas train adapted to enable controlled supply of the conditioned methane to the one or more burners (70). In such an embodiment, the gas train may include at least one of a solenoid valve and a servo controlled valve.

Moreover, in one embodiment, the conditioned methane may be used for generating electricity. In an exemplary embodiment, the conditioned methane may include at least 92 percentage by weight methane. In such an embodiment, presence of hydrogen sulfide in the conditioned methane may be less than 100 parts per million. In one embodiment, calorific value of the conditioned methane may be 6000 kilo calories per cubic meter. In one embodiment, the control unit may be adapted to assign a predefined mode of operation to the one or more burners (70) upon detecting power failure. In such an embodiment, the control unit may be adapted to restart the one or more burners (70) when voltage exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

Additionally, in one embodiment, the control unit may include a microprocessor. In some embodiments, the control unit may be associated with a display device to display a plurality of information regarding the one or more burners (70). In one embodiment, the one or more burners (70) may include an LCM module configured to determine the fuel consumption. In such an embodiment, the LCM module may provide an interface for connecting additional devices. In some embodiments, the one or more burners (70) may include a dual fuel module (DFM) configured to operate the one or more burners (70) with one or more fuels. In such an embodiment, the dual fuel module may be configured to select one or more fuels and transfer a valve or ignition transformer outlet to the one or more fuels selected.

Also, in one embodiment, the one or more burners (70) may be adapted to shut off a gas valve after a predetermined safety time, when flame is not produced. In such an embodiment, the one or more burners (70) may be adapted to deactivate an ignition when a gas failure is detected. In one embodiment, the one or more burners (70) may include a variable speed module (VSM) configured to record and control speed of fan motors associated with the one or more burners (70). In such an embodiment, the variable speed module may include a proximity sensor for recording the speed of the fan motors.

Also, in one embodiment, the proximity sensor may include a namur sensor. In some embodiments, the one or more burners (70) may include a flame tube arranged orthogonally with respect to housing of the one or more burners (70). In a specific embodiment, the one or more burners (70) may include a fuel oil pump driven by a motor. In one embodiment, the one or more burners (70) may include an igniter. Schematic representation of the one or more burners (70) is provided in FIG. 2. Operational arrangement of the continuous stirred tank reactor (50) is explained in FIG. 3.

FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of another embodiment of the FIG. 1, depicting operational arrangement of a continuous stirred tank reactor (50) in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, the continuous stirred tank reactor (50) may include a submersible agitator (80) adapted to rotate in a predefined speed to aid production of the methane from the treated slurry. In an exemplary embodiment, the continuous stirred tank reactor (50) may be a cylindrical digestor. In one embodiment, the treated slurry may present in the continuous stirred tank reactor (50) in suspended form due to continuous mixing by the submersible agitator (80). In one embodiment, the continuous stirred tank reactor (50) may include a floating dome adapted to store the methane produced. In an exemplary embodiment, the floating dome may be a having a capacity of at least 300 cubic meters.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart representing the steps involved in a method (90) for processing biomass using methane in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The method (90) includes grinding one or more raw materials supplied by a feed platform in presence of water to provide slurry in step 100. In one embodiment, grinding one or more raw materials supplied by a feed platform in presence of water to provide slurry includes grinding one or more raw materials supplied by a feed platform in presence of water to provide slurry by a grinder. In one embodiment, the system may include a weigh bridge adapted to weigh the one or more raw materials. In an exemplary embodiment, quantity of the one or more raw materials may be 20 metric tons and quantity of the water may be 20 kilo litres. In one embodiment, the one or more raw materials may include, but not limited to, agricultural residue, cow dung, kitchen waste and the like.

The method (90) also includes treating a plurality of suspended particles in the slurry provided by the grinder to provide treated slurry in step 110. In one embodiment, treating a plurality of suspended particles in the slurry provided by the grinder to provide treated slurry includes treating a plurality of suspended particles in the slurry provided by the grinder to provide treated slurry by an aerobic digester. In one embodiment, the aerobic digestor may be treating the plurality of suspended particles in the slurry by at least one of a process including hydrolysis and acidification. In one embodiment, a compressor may be supplying air to the aerobic digestor. In one embodiment, the system may include a transfer pump to transfer the slurry in to the aerobic digestor. The method (90) also includes producing methane from the treated slurry provided by the aerobic digester in step 120. In one embodiment, producing methane from the treated slurry provided by the aerobic digester includes producing methane from the treated slurry provided by the aerobic digester by a continuous stirred tank reactor of an anaerobic digestor. In one embodiment, the anaerobic digestor and the aerobic digestor may be insulated. In some embodiments, the anaerobic digestor and the aerobic digestor may be placed in a single enclosure. In one embodiment, the methane produced may be having concentration between 55 % and 60 %. In one embodiment, the continuous stirred tank reactor may include a submersible agitator adapted to rotate in a predefined speed to aid production of the methane from the treated slurry.

Further, in an exemplary embodiment, the continuous stirred tank reactor may be a cylindrical digestor. In one embodiment, the treated slurry may present in the continuous stirred tank reactor in suspended form due to continuous mixing by the submersible agitator. In one embodiment, the continuous stirred tank reactor may include a floating dome adapted to store the methane produced. In an exemplary embodiment, the floating dome may be a having a capacity of at least 300 cubic meters. In one embodiment, a solar heater may be adapted to maintain a predefined temperature inside the continuous stirred tank reactor to aid production of the methane. In some embodiments, residue left in the aerobic digester after production of the methane may be used as fertilizers. In such an embodiment, the residue may be collected in a sand filter tank. In an exemplary embodiment, potential of hydrogen value of the residue may be at least 7. In such an embodiment, quantity of the residue may be 35 kilo liters.

Also, in one embodiment, the residue may include, solid residue, liquid residue and the like. In one embodiment, the liquid residue may include nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, carbon and moisture in percentages of at least 2.2, 0.4, 0.4, 25 and 10 respectively with respect to weight of the liquid residue. In one embodiment, the solid residue may be having moisture content between 80% and 90% with respect to weight of the solid reside. In one embodiment, the continuous stirred tank reactor is made up of reinforced cement concrete. In such an embodiment, hydraulic retention time of the continuous stirred tank reactor may be 25 days. In some embodiments, process involving production of the methane from the treated slurry including at least one of an acetogenesis and methanogenesis. The method (90) also includes conditioning the methane produced by the continuous stirred tank reactor to provide conditioned methane in step 130. In one embodiment, conditioning the methane produced by the continuous stirred tank reactor to provide conditioned methane includes conditioning the methane produced by the continuous stirred tank reactor to provide conditioned methane by a gas handling unit. In one embodiment, the conditioned methane may be stored in a neoprene balloon. In an exemplary embodiment, capacity of the neoprene balloon may be 2400 cubic meters.

The method (90) further includes supplying the conditioned methane to one or more burners for processing the biomass in step 140. In one embodiment, supplying the conditioned methane to one or more burners for processing the biomass includes supplying the conditioned methane to one or more burners for processing the biomass by the gas handling unit. In one embodiment, the conditioned methane may be supplied to the one or more burners via one or more blowers. In some embodiments, the gas handling unit may include one or more filters adapted to increase concentration of the methane produced by the continuous stirred tank reactor.

Further, in some embodiments, the one or more burners may include a control unit adapted to control burner output by controlling at least one of quantity of air and quantity of the conditioned methane provided to the one or more burners. In one embodiment, the one or more burners may include a photocell sensor adapted to monitor output of the one or more burners. In a specific embodiment, the one or more burners may include a gas train adapted to enable controlled supply of the conditioned methane to the one or more burners. In such an embodiment, the gas train may include at least one of a solenoid valve and a servo controlled valve.

Furthermore, in one embodiment, the conditioned methane may be used for power generation. In an exemplary embodiment, the conditioned methane may include at least 92 percentage by weight methane. In such an embodiment, presence of hydrogen sulfide in the conditioned methane may be less than 100 parts per million. In one embodiment, calorific value of the conditioned methane may be 6000 kilo calories per cubic meter. In one embodiment, the control unit may be adapted to assign a predefined mode of operation to the one or more burners upon detecting power failure. In such an embodiment, the control unit may be adapted to restart the one or more burners when voltage exceeds a predetermined threshold value. In one embodiment, the control unit may include a microprocessor. In some embodiments, the control unit may be associated with a display device to display a plurality of information regarding the one or more burners. In one embodiment, the one or more burners may include an LCM module configured to determine the fuel consumption. In such an embodiment, the LCM module may provide an interface for connecting additional devices. In some embodiments, the one or more burners may include a dual fuel module (DFM) configured to operate the one or more burners with one or more fuels. In such an embodiment, the dual fuel module may be configured to select one or more fuels and transfer a valve or ignition transformer outlet to the one or more fuels selected.

In one embodiment, the one or more burners may be adapted to shut off a gas valve after a predetermined safety time, when flame is not produced. In such an embodiment, the one or more burners may be adapted to deactivate an ignition when a gas failure is detected. In one embodiment, the one or more burners may include a variable speed module (VSM) configured to record and control speed of fan motors associated with the one or more burners. In such an embodiment, the variable speed module may include a proximity sensor for recording the speed. In one embodiment, the proximity sensor may include a namur sensor. In some embodiments, the one or more burners may include a flame tube arranged orthogonally with respect to housing of the one or more burners. In a specific embodiment, the one or more burners may include a fuel oil pump driven by a motor. In one embodiment, the one or more burners may include an igniter to ignite the conditioned methane.

Various embodiments of the system and method for processing biomass using methane described above enable various advantages. The system provides a way for producing the methane from the biowastes thereby addressing the menace of the biowastes. The residue obtained after producing the methane may be used as fertilizers. The methane may also be used for generating electricity. The methane may be used for drying the biomass. The methane may not emit harmful gases thereby protecting the environment. Drying the biomass using the methane prevents deposition of the anthraquinone in the biomass, thereby protecting humans from ill effects of the anthraquinone.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory of the disclosure and are not intended to be restrictive thereof. While specific language has been used to describe the disclosure, any limitations arising on account of the same are not intended.

The figures and the foregoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment. For example, the order of processes described herein may be changed and are not limited to the manner described herein. Moreover, the actions of any flow diagram need not be implemented in the order shown; nor do all the acts need to be necessarily performed. Also, those acts that are not dependent on other acts may be performed in parallel with the other acts. The scope of embodiments is by no means limited by these specific examples.