THERMAL CONVERSION OF LIGNIN-RICH CROPS FOR SUSTAINABLE ENERGY PRODUCTION

Abstract

This invention provides a method for converting lignin-rich biomass into biochar, bio-oil, and syngas through pyrolysis and gasification. Designed for sustainable energy production and waste management, the method utilizes lignin-rich crops, offering a renewable energy solution that promotes soil health, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and supports a circular economy. The invention addresses both agricultural sustainability and energy independence by transforming biomass waste into valuable energy products.

Specification

Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to bioenergy technology, specifically the thermal conversion of lignin-rich crops into renewable energy products. The invention utilizes thermochemical processes to transform lignin-rich biomass into biochar, bio-oil, and syngas, offering a sustainable approach to energy production and waste management in the agricultural sector.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The need for sustainable and renewable energy sources is critical due to the environmental impacts associated with fossil fuels and the increasing urgency of addressing climate change. Agricultural residues and lignin-rich crops, such as miscanthus and switchgrass, provide an underutilized source of biomass with significant potential for energy production. However, traditional agricultural practices often lead to lignin-rich biomass being discarded, resulting in resource wastage and environmental pollution. While certain bioenergy technologies exist, they often lack efficiency or scalability to utilize lignin-rich biomass fully, limiting their practicality for widespread agricultural application.
Lignin, a complex organic polymer in plant cell walls, has high carbon content and energy potential, making it ideal for bioenergy applications. By thermally converting lignin-rich biomass into biochar, bio-oil, and syngas through processes such as pyrolysis, gasification, and combustion, this invention addresses the dual challenges of waste management and sustainable energy production. This approach not only contributes to energy security but also supports a circular economy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting soil health through biochar application.
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 provides a method for thermally converting lignin-rich biomass into renewable energy products, including biochar, bio-oil, and syngas. It employs thermochemical processes such as pyrolysis and gasification to transform crops like miscanthus and switchgrass into valuable energy resources. The biochar produced enhances soil fertility and sequesters carbon, while the bio-oil and syngas serve as renewable energy sources. This sustainable approach reduces waste, promotes energy independence, and supports agricultural and environmental resilience.
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: ILLUSTRATES THE THERMAL CONVERSION PROCESS, INCLUDING THE PHASES OF PYROLYSIS, GASIFICATION, AND COMBUSTION.
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 process for converting lignin-rich crops into renewable energy products, addressing waste management and energy sustainability challenges. The thermal conversion of biomass involves multiple stages, each designed to maximize energy recovery and minimize environmental impact. The process begins with the selection of lignin-rich crops, such as miscanthus, switchgrass, and specific tree species, which are known for their rapid growth and high lignin content. These crops are cultivated using sustainable agricultural practices, including crop rotation and minimal tillage, to enhance biomass yield while supporting soil health.
Harvested biomass undergoes preprocessing, including drying and size reduction, to optimize it for thermal conversion. This prepared biomass is then subjected to thermochemical processes-specifically pyrolysis, gasification, or direct combustion. In pyrolysis, the biomass is heated without oxygen, decomposing it into biochar, bio-oil, and syngas. Biochar serves as an excellent soil amendment, improving fertility and water retention, while bio-oil can be upgraded to renewable fuels, and syngas is used for energy production.
Alternatively, gasification involves heating the biomass in a controlled oxygen environment, producing syngas, a versatile energy source composed of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and methane. Syngas can be utilized in gas engines, turbines, or fuel cells, providing electricity or acting as a feedstock for synthetic fuels and chemicals. For immediate energy production, combustion of lignin-rich biomass can generate heat or electricity, particularly in combined heat and power (CHP) systems.
Each energy product-biochar, bio-oil, and syngas-offers distinct advantages. Biochar, for example, sequesters carbon in soil, mitigating climate change by capturing atmospheric carbon. Bio-oil can be refined into various fuels, supporting transportation and industrial energy needs, while syngas provides flexibility across applications in electricity and heat generation. The invention's modular design allows for scaling, making it suitable for both small-scale and industrial operations.
, Claims:1. A method for thermally converting lignin-rich biomass into renewable energy products, including biochar, bio-oil, and syngas, through pyrolysis, gasification, and combustion.
2. The method as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the lignin-rich biomass comprises crops like miscanthus, switchgrass, and other high-lignin plants.
3. The method as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the biochar produced serves as a soil amendment, enhancing soil health and sequestering carbon.
4. The method as claimed in Claim 1, wherein bio-oil obtained through pyrolysis is refined into renewable fuels for industrial applications.
5. The method as claimed in Claim 1, wherein syngas produced through gasification is used for electricity generation and synthetic fuel production.
6. The method as claimed in Claim 1, wherein lignin-rich biomass is preprocessed through drying and size reduction to optimize thermochemical conversion.
7. A process for applying biochar produced by the method as claimed in Claim 1 to agricultural fields to improve soil fertility and support sustainable farming practices.
8. The method as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the system operates as a modular, scalable setup adaptable to both small-scale and industrial settings.
9. The method as claimed in Claim 1, wherein it reduces greenhouse gas emissions by promoting carbon-neutral energy production.

10. The method as claimed in Claim 1, wherein it supports circular economy principles by converting agricultural residues into high-value energy products.

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