METHOD FOR PRODUCING LIQUID BIOFUELS FROM AGRICULTURAL WASTE RESOURCES

Abstract

This invention presents a method for converting agricultural waste into liquid biofuels using thermochemical and catalytic processes. The system produces biofuels, biochar, and syngas, supporting renewable energy production, waste management, and soil health improvement. Designed with modular processing units, it allows on-site deployment, reducing environmental impact and offering economic benefits to farmers by transforming waste into valuable resources.

Specification

Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to agricultural biotechnology and energy production, specifically focusing on a method for converting agricultural waste into liquid biofuels. The invention promotes renewable energy production while simultaneously managing organic waste generated in agricultural practices, contributing to both sustainable energy generation and waste reduction.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Agricultural practices produce large quantities of organic waste, including crop stalks, husks, leaves, and other by-products. These residues are often left unutilized, resulting in disposal challenges and environmental concerns when they accumulate or are disposed of through burning or landfilling. Traditional waste management methods can lead to air pollution and significant greenhouse gas emissions, representing a lost opportunity to convert this biomass into valuable resources. Additionally, the agricultural sector heavily depends on fossil fuels for its energy needs, contributing to climate change, resource depletion, and environmental degradation.
Current technologies for converting biomass into biofuels, such as those involving complex chemical or enzymatic processes, often prove costly and inaccessible to small or medium-scale farmers. This situation highlights the need for a sustainable, economically viable alternative for converting agricultural residues into biofuels that can meet rural and agricultural energy demands. The present invention provides a practical solution by transforming agricultural waste into biofuels through thermochemical processes, offering a renewable energy source that reduces reliance on fossil fuels and mitigates environmental impacts associated with traditional waste disposal practices.
In addition to energy generation, this invention addresses soil degradation issues by producing biochar as a by-product. Biochar serves as a soil amendment, enhancing nutrient retention, water-holding capacity, and soil structure, thereby reducing the dependence on chemical fertilizers. This dual-purpose approach-generating biofuels and soil improvers-promotes sustainable agricultural practices, reduces operational costs, and supports environmental conservation efforts, making it suitable for small-scale and large-scale agricultural applications.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts, in a simplified format, that are further described in the detailed description of the invention.
This summary is neither intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the invention and nor is it intended for determining the scope of the invention.
To further clarify advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which is illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying drawings.
The invention introduces a method for producing liquid biofuels from agricultural waste resources. The process involves collecting various agricultural residues, pre-treating them to reduce moisture content, and then subjecting them to thermochemical conversion processes like pyrolysis or gasification. The resulting syngas can be catalytically converted into liquid biofuels through processes such as Fischer-Tropsch synthesis. This method not only generates biofuels but also produces biochar, a by-product beneficial for soil health. The invention offers a scalable, modular system that can be adapted for on-site deployment in different agricultural contexts, providing farmers with a sustainable energy solution and additional revenue streams.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The illustrated embodiments of the subject matter will be understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. The following description is intended only by way of example, and simply illustrates certain selected embodiments of devices, systems, and methods that are consistent with the subject matter as claimed herein, wherein:
FIGURE 1: SHOWS THE AGRICULTURAL WASTE COLLECTION AND PRE-TREATMENT PROCESS FOR MOISTURE REDUCTION AND PARTICLE SIZE ADJUSTMENT.
The figures depict embodiments of the present subject matter for the purposes of illustration only. A person skilled in the art will easily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The detailed description of various exemplary embodiments of the disclosure is described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments are described herein in such details as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of details provided herein is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
It is also to be understood that various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the present disclosure, as well as specific examples, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms "a"," "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes" and/or "including," when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups thereof.
It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions/acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two figures shown in succession may, in fact, be executed concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved.
In addition, the descriptions of "first", "second", "third", and the like in the present invention are used for the purpose of description only, and are not to be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Thus, features defining "first" and "second" may include at least one of the features, either explicitly or implicitly.
Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. It will be further understood that terms, e.g., those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
This invention introduces a comprehensive method for converting agricultural residues into biofuels, addressing environmental and economic challenges related to agricultural waste and energy dependency. The process begins with the collection of agricultural waste, including materials from crops such as corn, wheat, rice, and sugarcane, which are abundant and often discarded. The collected residues are pre-treated to reduce moisture content to between 10% and 20%, which optimizes their efficiency for thermochemical conversion. Size reduction is also performed to increase the surface area of the feedstock, enhancing reaction rates and overall process efficiency.
The prepared biomass undergoes thermochemical conversion through either pyrolysis or gasification, depending on the desired output. In pyrolysis, the biomass is heated in the absence of oxygen at temperatures between 400°C and 800°C, producing bio-oil, syngas, and biochar. The bio-oil contains a mixture of organic compounds that can be refined into biofuels, while the biochar serves as a soil amendment with benefits like improved nutrient retention and soil structure. Alternatively, gasification partially oxidizes the biomass at temperatures above 800°C, generating syngas composed primarily of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and methane. This syngas can then be catalytically converted into liquid biofuels via Fischer-Tropsch synthesis or similar methods.
The bio-oil or syngas produced is further processed to meet fuel standards. For syngas, Fischer-Tropsch synthesis is employed, converting it into longer-chain hydrocarbons compatible with existing fuel infrastructure. Bio-oil derived from pyrolysis is upgraded through hydroprocessing to yield high-quality diesel or jet fuel. This catalytic conversion enhances biofuels' stability and compatibility with conventional engines, making them suitable for transportation and industrial applications. The process also incorporates energy recovery techniques, utilizing excess heat generated during pyrolysis or gasification to improve efficiency. This recovered heat can be applied to preheat incoming feedstock or generate electricity, further reducing energy costs associated with the process.
The modular design of this system makes it adaptable for various scales of agricultural operations. On-site processing units reduce transportation costs by allowing farmers to convert waste into energy directly on the farm, making the technology accessible for rural and remote areas. Additionally, the biochar by-product offers numerous environmental benefits, including enhanced soil fertility, increased water-holding capacity, and carbon sequestration. Biochar applications in soil improve crop yields, reduce the need for chemical fertilizers, and contribute to climate change mitigation by stabilizing carbon in the soil.
By providing a method for converting waste into valuable resources, this invention promotes sustainable farming practices and economic empowerment for farmers. It offers an alternative to fossil fuels and supports renewable energy initiatives while generating a revenue stream from previously unutilized agricultural waste. The invention's integrated system maximizes energy recovery, reduces environmental impact, and addresses the global need for cleaner, more sustainable energy solutions in agriculture.
, Claims:1. A method for producing liquid biofuels from agricultural waste resources, involving pre-treatment, thermochemical conversion, and catalytic conversion of agricultural residues.
2. The method as claimed in Claim 1, wherein agricultural residues are collected, dried, and reduced in size to optimize thermochemical conversion efficiency.
3. The method as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the pre-treated biomass undergoes pyrolysis in an oxygen-free environment to produce bio-oil, syngas, and biochar.
4. The method as claimed in Claim 1, wherein gasification of the biomass occurs under partial oxidation to generate syngas, suitable for further catalytic conversion.
5. The method as claimed in Claim 1, wherein syngas is subjected to Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, producing liquid biofuels compatible with existing fuel infrastructure.
6. The method as claimed in Claim 1, wherein bio-oil is refined through hydroprocessing to yield high-quality renewable diesel and jet fuel.
7. The method as claimed in Claim 1, wherein biochar produced during pyrolysis serves as a soil amendment to improve soil health and sequester carbon.
8. The method as claimed in Claim 1, wherein an integrated energy recovery system harnesses excess heat generated during thermochemical conversion for preheating feedstock or electricity generation.
9. The method as claimed in Claim 1, wherein modular processing units enable on-site biofuel production, reducing transportation costs for agricultural waste.

10. The method as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the system provides an economically viable and environmentally friendly alternative to fossil fuels, promoting sustainable agricultural practices.

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