JP6677625B2 - Method for producing biomass extract and apparatus for producing biomass extract - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for producing a biomass extract and an apparatus for producing a biomass extract.

  The term "biomass" was originally translated as "biomass" in the field of biology. However, at present, it is used as a term that refers to a wide range of concepts, such as food, materials, and fuel, which are made of substances of biological origin, beyond the boundaries of the field of biology.

  This biomass has a well-established usage method such as rice bran and charcoal. In addition, there is also proposed a method of treating biomass such as plant-derived biomass containing cellulose or the like as a main component (for example, see JP-A-2004-209462). On the other hand, so-called garbage and sewage sludge are also regarded as biomass, and these are still in the stage of being studied for treatment methods. For this reason, in the treatment of biomass, a treatment method that can be used as a resource such as fuel while reducing the cost is desired.

JP 2004-209462 A

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide a biomass extract production method and a biomass extract production apparatus which can be used at relatively low cost as a resource such as fuel. And

  The invention made in order to solve the above problems is a step of mixing biomass and a solvent, a step of eluting a biomass extractable component soluble in a solvent from the biomass in the slurry obtained in the mixing step, A method for producing a biomass extract, comprising: a step of separating, from the slurry, a solution in which the biomass extraction component obtained in the step is dissolved in a solvent; and a step of evaporating the solvent from the solution separated in the separation step.

  In the method for producing a biomass extract, biomass is mixed with a solvent, and a biomass extract component soluble in the solvent is eluted from the biomass. In this elution step, the oil component of the biomass can be separated from the biomass. In the method for producing a biomass extract, the solvent is evaporated from a solution in which the biomass extract component is dissolved in the solvent in the evaporation step. In the method for producing a biomass extract, a biomass extract is obtained by evaporating the solvent. Therefore, in the method for producing a biomass extract, a biomass extract in which the amount of oil contained in the biomass is controlled can be obtained. Further, the oil contained in the biomass is contained in the solvent in the evaporation step and evaporates, so that it can be collected separately from the biomass extract. Therefore, by using the method for producing the biomass extract, the biomass extract can be relatively easily extracted together with the oil contained in the biomass. In addition, by using the method for producing a biomass extract, the biomass extract is extracted after separating components insoluble in the solvent, so that the extraction can be performed by evaporating the solvent, and the biomass extraction can be performed at a relatively low cost. Can manufacture things.

  The method may further include a step of recovering the solvent evaporated in the evaporation step, and the solvent recovered in the recovery step may be used in the mixing step. The oil content of biomass has the effect of improving the extraction efficiency of the biomass extract by using it as a solvent, as compared with petroleum-derived liquid fuel or coal-derived coal tar fraction which can be obtained relatively inexpensively. Therefore, the extraction efficiency of the biomass extract can be improved by using the solvent containing the oil component of the biomass evaporated in the evaporation step in the mixing step. Further, by using the solvent recovered in the recovery step, the production cost of the biomass extract can be reduced.

  In the recovery step, the solvent may be further recovered from the solid concentrate containing the solvent-insoluble component obtained in the separation step. By recovering the solvent containing the oil contained in the biomass from the solid concentrate as described above, the utilization rate of the oil contained in the biomass is further improved.

  Before the mixing with the biomass, the solvent recovered in the recovery step may be fractionated. By fractionating the solvent, a specific component of the oil contained in biomass can be used as a by-product.

  Another invention made in order to solve the above problems, a mixing section for mixing biomass and a solvent, and an elution section for eluting a biomass extractable component soluble in the solvent from the biomass in the slurry obtained in the mixing section. A separation unit that separates the solution in which the biomass extract component obtained in the elution unit is dissolved in the solvent from the slurry, and a solvent evaporation unit that evaporates the solvent from the solution separated in the separation unit. Manufacturing equipment.

  The biomass extract manufacturing apparatus inputs the biomass and the solvent into the mixing section, and elutes the biomass extract component soluble in the solvent from the biomass in the elution section. In this elution portion, the oil component of the biomass can be separated from the biomass. In the biomass extract manufacturing apparatus, the evaporating unit evaporates the solvent from a solution in which the biomass extract component is dissolved in the solvent. The biomass extract manufacturing apparatus obtains the biomass extract by evaporating the solvent in the evaporating section. Therefore, by using the biomass extract manufacturing apparatus, a biomass extract in which the amount of oil contained in biomass is controlled can be obtained. Further, the oil contained in the biomass is contained in the solvent in the evaporating section and evaporates, so that it can be collected separately from the biomass extract. Therefore, by using the biomass extract manufacturing apparatus, the biomass extract can be relatively easily extracted together with the oil contained in the biomass. In addition, since the biomass extract is extracted by separating the components insoluble in the solvent by using the biomass extract production apparatus, the extraction can be performed by evaporating the solvent, and the biomass extraction can be performed at a relatively low cost. Can manufacture things.

  As described above, by using the method for producing a biomass extract and the apparatus for producing a biomass extract, a biomass extract that can be used as a resource such as fuel can be produced at a relatively low cost.

It is a schematic diagram showing a manufacturing device of a biomass extract of a first embodiment of the present invention. It is an example of the graph which shows the relationship between the fractionation temperature of a solvent, and a cumulative content.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of an apparatus and a method for producing a biomass extract according to the present invention will be described in detail.

[Biomass extract production equipment]
1 includes a biomass supply unit 1, a solvent supply unit 2, a mixing unit 3, a pump 4, a heating unit 5, an elution unit 6, a separation unit 7, a first solvent It mainly comprises an evaporating section 8, a second solvent evaporating section 9, and a fractionating section 10.

<Biomass supply department>
The biomass supply unit 1 supplies biomass to the mixing unit 3. As the biomass supply unit 1, a known hopper such as a normal pressure hopper used in a normal pressure state and a pressure hopper used in a normal pressure state and a pressurized state can be used.

  Examples of the biomass include plant-derived agricultural biomass and forestry biomass. Examples of the agricultural biomass include bamboo, grass, palm hulls, palm oil residues, vegetables, fruits, food residues and the like. Examples of forestry biomass include thinned wood, pruned branches, waste wood, bark chips, and the like. The size of the biomass is not particularly limited, but, for example, the upper limit of the maximum particle diameter can be 500 mm.

<Solvent supply section>
The solvent supply unit 2 supplies a solvent to the mixing unit 3. The solvent supply unit 2 has a solvent tank for storing a solvent, and supplies the solvent to the mixing unit 3 from the solvent tank.

  When the biomass extract manufacturing apparatus is operated, a solvent containing an oil component of the biomass fractionated by the fractionation unit 10 described below (hereinafter, also referred to as “biomass oil component”) is supplied to the solvent tank. . As a result, the content of the biomass oil in the solvent in the solvent tank increases, and after a certain period of time, the solvent in the solvent tank mainly contains the biomass oil regardless of the type of the solvent when the biomass extract manufacturing apparatus is started. It can be a component. The "main component" means a component having the largest content, for example, a component having a content of 50% by mass or more, preferably 90% by mass or more.

  When starting the biomass extract production apparatus, the biomass oil can be prepared in advance and used as a solvent stored in a solvent tank, but other solvents such as petroleum-based liquid fuel and coal-derived liquid can be used. May be used.

  Although the boiling point of the solvent is not particularly limited, for example, the lower limit of the boiling point of the solvent is preferably 180 ° C, more preferably 230 ° C. On the other hand, the upper limit of the boiling point of the solvent is preferably 300 ° C, more preferably 280 ° C. If the boiling point of the solvent is less than the lower limit, the solvent is likely to be volatilized, which may make it difficult to adjust and maintain the mixing ratio between the biomass and the solvent in the slurry. Conversely, when the boiling point of the solvent exceeds the upper limit, it becomes difficult to separate the solvent-soluble component from the solvent, and the recovery rate of the solvent may be reduced.

<Mixing part>
The mixing unit 3 mixes the biomass supplied from the biomass supply unit 1 and the solvent supplied from the solvent supply unit 2.

  The mixing section 3 has a preparation tank 31. The solvent and biomass are supplied to the preparation tank 31 via a supply pipe. The preparation tank 31 stores a slurry in which the supplied solvent and biomass are mixed. Further, the preparation tank 31 has a stirrer 31a. The preparation tank 31 maintains the mixed state of the slurry by holding the mixed slurry while stirring with a stirrer 31a.

  As a minimum of content of biomass in slurry in preparation tank 31, 10 mass% is preferred and 15 mass% is more preferred. On the other hand, the upper limit of the content of the biomass is preferably 40% by mass, and more preferably 30% by mass. When the content of the biomass is less than the lower limit, the elution amount of the solvent-soluble component eluted in the heating unit 5 described below is reduced with respect to the slurry processing amount, so that the production efficiency of the biomass extract may decrease. There is. Conversely, if the content of the biomass exceeds the upper limit, the solvent-soluble component is saturated in the solvent, and the elution rate of the solvent-soluble component may decrease.

  The slurry prepared in the preparation tank 31 of the mixing section 3 is sent to the heating section 5 via a supply pipe.

<Pump>
The pump 4 is provided on a supply pipe that supplies slurry from the mixing section 3 to the heating section 5. The pump 4 pumps the slurry stored in the preparation tank 31 of the mixing section 3 to the heating section 5 via a supply pipe.

  The type of the pump 4 is not particularly limited as long as the slurry can be pressure-fed to the heating unit 5 via a supply pipe. For example, a positive displacement pump or a non-positive pump can be used. More specifically, a diaphragm pump, a tube diaphragm pump, or the like can be used as a positive displacement pump, and a volute pump or the like can be used as a non-positive pump.

<Heating section>
The heating unit 5 heats the slurry obtained in the mixing unit 3.

  The heating furnace 51 is not particularly limited as long as it can heat the slurry passing through the inside of the heating furnace 51, and examples thereof include a resistance heating heater and an induction heating coil. Further, heating may be performed using a heat medium. For example, a heating pipe is arranged around the flow path of the slurry passing through the heating furnace 51, and a heating medium such as steam or oil is supplied to the heating pipe, whereby the slurry passing through the heating furnace 51 can be heated. .

  The lower limit of the temperature of the slurry after heating by the heating furnace 51 is preferably 300 ° C, more preferably 360 ° C. On the other hand, the upper limit of the temperature of the slurry is not particularly limited as long as it is a temperature at which elution is possible, but 420 ° C. is preferable, and 400 ° C. is more preferable. When the temperature of the slurry is lower than the lower limit, the bond between the molecules constituting the biomass cannot be sufficiently weakened, and the elution rate may be reduced. Conversely, if the temperature of the slurry exceeds the upper limit, the amount of heat required to maintain the temperature of the slurry becomes unnecessarily large, which may increase the manufacturing cost.

<Eluting part>
The elution unit 6 elutes a biomass extraction component soluble in a solvent from biomass in the slurry obtained in the mixing unit 3 and heated in the heating unit 5.

  The elution section 6 has an extraction tank 61 into which the heated slurry is supplied. In the extraction tank 61, a biomass extraction component soluble in a solvent is eluted from the biomass while maintaining the temperature of the slurry. The extraction tank 61 has a stirrer 61a. The elution can be promoted by stirring the slurry with the stirrer 61a.

  In addition, the elution time in the elution unit 6 is not particularly limited, but can be 10 minutes or more and 100 minutes or less from the viewpoint of the extraction amount and the extraction efficiency of the biomass extraction component.

  When the biomass extract is eluted, the biomass oil is eluted from the biomass into the solvent and separated. The biomass oil contains aromatic hydrocarbons such as phenol, methanol, acetic acid, and saccharides.

  The ratio of the biomass oil eluted from the biomass in the elution section 6 depends on the type of the biomass, but the lower limit of the ratio of the biomass oil is preferably 10% by mass, more preferably 15% by mass. On the other hand, the upper limit of the ratio of the biomass oil is preferably 30% by mass, and more preferably 25% by mass or less. If the ratio of the biomass oil is less than the lower limit, the yield of the biomass oil may be low, and it may be difficult to utilize the biomass oil. Conversely, if the ratio of the biomass oil exceeds the upper limit, the yield of the biomass extract may be too low, and it may be difficult to use the biomass extract.

<Separation unit>
The separation unit 7 separates, from the slurry, a solution in which the biomass extraction component obtained in the elution unit is dissolved in a solvent, and a solid concentrate containing a solvent-insoluble component. Note that the solvent-insoluble component is mainly composed of a biomass component that is insoluble in the extraction solvent, and refers to an extraction residue that also contains the extraction solvent.

  The separation in the separation unit 7 can be specifically performed by a gravity sedimentation method. Here, the gravity sedimentation method is a separation method in which solids are sedimented by using gravity in a sedimentation tank to perform solid-liquid separation.

  When the separation is performed by the gravity sedimentation method, the solution containing the biomass extraction component is discharged from the upper part of the sedimentation tank while the slurry is continuously supplied into the separation part 7, and the solid concentrate containing the solvent-insoluble component is separated from the sedimentation tank. Can be discharged from the bottom of This enables a continuous solid-liquid separation process.

  In the gravity sedimentation method, the solution containing the biomass extraction component accumulates on the upper part of the separation unit 7. This solution is filtered using a filter unit as needed, and then discharged to the first solvent evaporator 8. On the other hand, the solid concentrate containing the solvent-insoluble component is collected in the lower part of the separation unit 7 and discharged to the second solvent evaporation unit 9.

  The time for maintaining the slurry in the separation unit 7 is not particularly limited, but is, for example, 30 minutes or more and 120 minutes or less, and the sedimentation and separation in the separation unit 7 is performed within this time.

  It is preferable that the inside of the separation unit 7 be kept warm and pressurized. The lower limit of the temperature in the separation section 7 is preferably 300 ° C, more preferably 350 ° C. On the other hand, the upper limit of the temperature in the separation section 7 is preferably 420 ° C., and more preferably 400 ° C. When the temperature is lower than the lower limit, the biomass extract component may be reprecipitated, and the separation efficiency may be reduced. On the other hand, when the temperature exceeds the upper limit, the yield of the biomass extract component may decrease due to thermal decomposition or polymerization reaction.

  Further, the lower limit of the pressure in the separation unit 7 is preferably 1 MPa, more preferably 1.4 MPa. On the other hand, the upper limit of the pressure is preferably 3 MPa, more preferably 2 MPa. If the pressure is lower than the lower limit, the biomass extract component may be reprecipitated, and the separation efficiency may be reduced. Conversely, if the pressure exceeds the upper limit, the operating cost for pressurization may increase.

  The method for separating the solution and the solid content concentrate is not limited to the gravity sedimentation method, but may be, for example, a filtration method or a centrifugal separation method. When a filtration method or a centrifugal separation method is used as the solid-liquid separation method, a filter, a centrifuge, or the like is used as the separation unit 7.

<First solvent evaporation section>
The first solvent evaporator 8 evaporates the solvent from the solution separated by the separator 7. Biomass extract A is obtained by evaporating the solvent.

  As a method for evaporating and separating the solvent, a separation method including a general distillation method and an evaporation method (such as a spray drying method) can be used. By separating the solvent from the solution, the biomass extract A can be obtained from the solution.

  Further, the solvent evaporated in the first solvent evaporating section 8 is recovered and supplied to the fractionating section 10. The solvent contains the biomass oil separated in the elution step.

<Second solvent evaporation section>
The second solvent evaporator 9 evaporates and separates the solvent from the solid concentrate separated in the separator 7. By recovering the solvent containing the oil contained in the biomass from the solid concentrate as described above, the utilization rate of the oil contained in the biomass is further improved.

  As a method for separating the solvent from the solid content concentrate, a general distillation method or an evaporation method (such as a spray drying method) can be used as in the separation method of the first solvent evaporating section 8. The separated solvent is recovered and supplied to the fractionating section 10. Among the biomass oils separated in the elution step, those contained in the solid concentrate are included in this solvent. In addition, the residue B that is not separated and recovered as a solvent in the solid concentrate is discarded.

<Distillation section>
The fractionation section 10 fractionates the solvent containing the biomass oil recovered in the first solvent evaporation section 8 and the second solvent evaporation section 9. As the fractionating unit 10, a known fractionator can be used.

  By this fractionation, the solvent containing the biomass oil recovered in the first solvent evaporator 8 and the second solvent evaporator 9 becomes a solvent having a boiling point higher than the fractionation temperature and a by-product C having a boiling point lower than the fractionation temperature. Separated. Among these, the solvent having a boiling point higher than the fractionation temperature is supplied to the mixing section 3 and used as a solvent to be mixed with biomass. The by-product C having a boiling point lower than the fractionation temperature can be used, for example, as a raw material for a fuel or a chemically synthesized product. As the by-product C, although depending on the fractionation temperature, for example, aromatics such as phenol can be exemplified.

The temperature at which fractionation is performed in the fractionation unit 10 can be determined, for example, such that the amount of the solvent having a boiling point higher than the fractionation temperature is equal to the amount of the solvent before elution. Specifically, the fractionation temperature can be determined by the following procedure. First, as shown in FIG. 2, the relationship between the fractionation temperature of the solvent and the proportion (cumulative content) [mass%] of the solvent having a boiling point lower than the fractionation temperature with respect to the whole fractionated solvent is measured in advance. Further, the ratio R [% by mass] of the separated biomass oil in the biomass is measured. When the solvent content in the slurry before elution is W1 [% by mass], the solvent amount before fractionation is the solvent amount W2 [g shown in the following formula (1) per 100 g of the slurry because the biomass oil content increases. ].
W2 = W1 + (100−W1) × R (1)

In order to make the above-mentioned W2 the same as the solvent content W1 of the original slurry, it is sufficient to fractionate so that an amount of by-product C corresponding to the increment (100−W1) × R is obtained. That is, the solvent may be fractionated so that the ratio of the by-product C to the entire solvent before the fractionation becomes K [mass%] shown in the following formula (2).
K = (100−W1) × R / W2 (2)

Therefore, the fractionation temperature can be determined by reading from FIG. 2 the fractionation temperature at which the cumulative content of the solvent having a boiling point lower than the fractionation temperature is K. For example, when the solvent content W1 before elution is 80% by mass and the ratio R of the biomass oil component is 20% by mass, W2 and K can be calculated as in the following formulas (3) and (4). The fractionation temperature at which the result of this formula (4) is 4.8% by mass can be calculated as 184 ° C. from the graph of FIG.
W2 = 80 + (100−80) × 0.2 = 84 [mass%] (3)
K = (100−80) × 0.2 / 84 = 4.8 [mass%] (4)

  The by-product C may contain a plurality of types of compounds depending on the determined fractionation temperature. When the by-product C contains a plurality of types of compounds, the by-product C may be used in a mixed state, but may be separated separately by setting a fractionation temperature for each type of the compound.

  As a minimum of the above-mentioned fractionation temperature, 170 ° C is preferred and 175 ° C is more preferred. On the other hand, the upper limit of the fractionation temperature is preferably 188 ° C, more preferably 185 ° C. When the fractionation temperature is lower than the lower limit, the yield of the by-product C may be insufficient. Conversely, if the fractionation temperature exceeds the upper limit, the amount of the solvent supplied to the mixing section 3 may be insufficient.

(Production method of biomass extract)
The method for producing a biomass extract mainly includes a mixing step, a heating step, an elution step, a separation step, a first evaporation step, a second evaporation step, and a recovery step. The method for producing the biomass extract can be performed using the biomass extract production apparatus shown in FIG.

<Mixing process>
In the mixing step, the biomass and the solvent are mixed. Specifically, the biomass supplied from the biomass supply unit 1 and the solvent supplied from the solvent supply unit 2 are mixed in the preparation tank 31 of the mixing unit 3 to form a slurry.

<Heating process>
In the heating step, the slurry obtained in the mixing step is heated. Specifically, the slurry prepared in the mixing step is supplied to the heating furnace 51 of the heating unit 5 by the pump 4 and heated to a predetermined temperature.

<Elution process>
In the elution step, a biomass extract component soluble in a solvent is eluted from the biomass in the slurry obtained in the mixing step. Specifically, the slurry after the heating is supplied to the extraction tank 61, and the slurry is extracted at a predetermined temperature while being stirred by the stirrer 61a.

<Separation process>
In the separation step, a solution in which the biomass extraction component obtained in the above-mentioned elution step is dissolved in a solvent and a solid concentrate containing a solvent-insoluble component are separated from the slurry. Specifically, the slurry discharged from the extraction tank 61 is supplied, and the slurry supplied by, for example, the gravity sedimentation method is separated into the solution and the solid concentrate in the separation unit 7.

<First evaporation step>
In the first evaporation step, the solvent is evaporated from the solution separated in the separation step. Specifically, the solution separated by the separation unit 7 is supplied to the first solvent evaporation unit 8, and the solvent is evaporated by the first solvent evaporation unit 8. This separates the solution into a solvent and a biomass extraction component. Note that the solvent obtained in the first evaporation step contains biomass oil.

<Second evaporation step>
In the second evaporation step, the solvent is evaporated from the solid content concentrate separated in the separation step. Specifically, the solid content concentrate separated in the separation unit 7 is supplied to the second solvent evaporation unit 9, and the solvent is evaporated in the second solvent evaporation unit 9. Note that the solvent obtained in the second evaporation step contains biomass oil.

<Recovery process>
In the recovery step, the solvent obtained in the first evaporation step and the solvent obtained in the second evaporation step are recovered.

  In the recovery step, the recovered solvent is fractionated. Specifically, the solvent is fractionated in the fractionation unit 10, and a specific component of the oil component of the biomass is separated as a by-product C.

  The portion of the solvent to be fractionated except the by-product C, that is, the solvent having a temperature higher than the fractionation temperature, is used in the mixing step. Specifically, a solvent higher than the fractionation temperature is supplied to the mixing unit 3 and used as a solvent to be mixed with biomass. The biomass oil contained in the solvent is more effective at improving the extraction efficiency of the biomass extract by using the biomass extract as a solvent than a petroleum-derived liquid fuel or a coal-derived coal tar fraction that can be obtained relatively inexpensively. is there. Therefore, the extraction efficiency of the biomass extract can be improved by using the solvent containing the biomass oil evaporated in the first evaporation step and the second evaporation step in the mixing step. Further, by using the solvent recovered in the recovery step, the production cost of the biomass extract can be reduced.

〔advantage〕
In the method for producing a biomass extract, biomass is mixed with a solvent, and a biomass extract component soluble in the solvent is eluted from the biomass. In this elution step, the oil component of the biomass can be separated from the biomass. In the method for producing a biomass extract, the solvent is evaporated from a solution in which the biomass extract component is dissolved in the solvent in the evaporation step. In the method for producing a biomass extract, a biomass extract is obtained by evaporating the solvent. Therefore, in the method for producing a biomass extract, a biomass extract in which the amount of oil contained in the biomass is controlled can be obtained. Further, the oil contained in the biomass is contained in the solvent in the evaporation step and evaporates, so that it can be collected separately from the biomass extract. Therefore, by using the method for producing the biomass extract, the biomass extract can be relatively easily extracted together with the oil contained in the biomass. Further, by using the method for producing the biomass extract, the biomass extract is extracted after separating the components insoluble in the solvent, so that the extraction can be performed by evaporating the solvent, and the biomass extraction can be performed at a relatively low cost. Can manufacture things.

  Moreover, the biomass extract manufacturing apparatus can separate the oil component of the biomass from the biomass by charging the biomass into the solvent and the mixing unit 3 and eluting the biomass in the elution unit 6. Therefore, by using the biomass extract manufacturing apparatus, a biomass extract in which the amount of oil contained in biomass is controlled can be obtained. The oil contained in the biomass is contained in the solvent in the evaporating section 6 and evaporates, so that it can be collected separately from the biomass extract.

  Therefore, by using the method for producing the biomass extract and the apparatus for producing the biomass extract, the biomass extract can be relatively easily extracted together with the oil contained in the biomass. Further, by using the method for producing the biomass extract and the apparatus for producing the biomass extract, the biomass extract is extracted after separating the components insoluble in the solvent, so that the extraction can be performed by evaporating the solvent. Biomass extract can be produced at relatively low cost.

[Other Embodiments]
Note that the biomass extract production apparatus and the biomass extract production method of the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiment.

  In the above embodiment, as the method for producing the biomass extract, the case where the solvent containing the biomass oil is recovered in the recovery step and used as the solvent in the mixing step has been described, but the use in the recovery step and the mixing step is indispensable. It can be omitted instead of the process. In this case, the biomass oil can be used for other uses such as biomass fuel.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the solvent is recovered from both the solution in which the biomass extraction component is dissolved in the solvent and the solid content concentrate containing the solvent-insoluble component is described. You may collect from only. Thereby, the second evaporation step of the method for producing the biomass extract can be omitted. Since the biomass oil is more contained in the solvent separated from the solution, the biomass oil is recovered only from the solution, and the second evaporation step is omitted. Cost for evaporative separation can be reduced. Further, since the second solvent evaporating section of the biomass extract manufacturing apparatus can be omitted, the equipment cost of the biomass extract manufacturing apparatus can be reduced.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the component having a low boiling point of the biomass oil is separated into a by-product in the fractionating section has been described.However, the component having a high boiling point is separated by fractionation to be a by-product, or the boiling point is within a certain range. Certain components can also be separated into by-products. Also in this case, the fractionation temperature can be determined so that the amount of the solvent excluding the by-products is the same as the amount of the solvent before elution.

  Further, the solvent to be recovered may be directly supplied to the mixing section without performing fractional distillation. When the amount of the recovered solvent is larger than the amount of the solvent before the elution, it is preferable to recover the excess solvent and use it as a by-product, for example.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the preparation unit of the biomass extract manufacturing apparatus has the preparation tank is described. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and the preparation tank may be omitted as long as the solvent and the biomass can be mixed. . For example, when the mixing is completed by a line mixer, the preparation tank may be omitted and a line mixer may be provided between the supply pipe and the separation unit.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the method in which the separation step is performed by continuous processing is described. However, the separation step may not be performed by continuous processing, but may be, for example, batch processing in which slurry is stored in a separation unit and separation is repeated.

  As described above, by using the method for producing a biomass extract and the apparatus for producing a biomass extract of the present invention, a biomass extract that can be used as a resource such as fuel can be produced at a relatively low cost.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Biomass supply part 2 Solvent supply part 3 Mixing part 31 Preparation tank 31a Stirrer 4 Pump 5 Heating part 51 Heating furnace 6 Elution part 61 Extraction tank 61a Stirrer 7 Separation part 8 First solvent evaporation part 9 Second solvent evaporation part 10 Fractional distillation Part A Biomass extract B Residue C By-product

Claims (3)

Mixing biomass and a solvent,
A step of eluting the biomass extraction component comprising a soluble biomass oil to the solvent from the biomass in the slurry obtained in the mixing step,
The slurry after the elution step, a first separation step of separating into a solution biomass extract component containing biomass oil is dissolved in the solvent, and the solid concentrate containing solvent-insoluble components,
From the top Symbol fraction isolated was dissolved solution, and a second separation step of evaporating separate the solvent and biomass extract containing biomass oil,
Recovering a solvent containing the biomass oil component,
A step of fractionating the solvent containing the recovered biomass oil into a by-product having a boiling point lower than the fractionation temperature and a solvent containing a biomass oil having a boiling point higher than the fractionation temperature,
Using a solvent containing a biomass oil having a boiling point higher than the fractionation temperature as a solvent to be mixed with the biomass. In the recovery step, from the solid concentrate containing the solvent-insoluble component obtained in the first separation step, a third separation step of separating the solvent and the residue containing the biomass oil component ,
Recovering the solvent containing the biomass oil obtained from the solid concentrate, together with the solvent containing the biomass oil separated from the solution in the first separation step;
The method for producing a biomass extract according to claim 1 , further comprising : A mixing unit for mixing biomass and a solvent,
An elution unit that elutes a biomass extract component containing a biomass oil soluble in a solvent from biomass in the slurry obtained in the mixing unit,
A solution in which a biomass extract component containing a biomass oil component obtained in the elution unit is dissolved in a solvent, and a separation unit that separates a solid concentrate containing a solvent-insoluble component from the slurry,
A solvent evaporator that evaporates and separates a solvent containing biomass oil and a biomass extract from the solution separated in the separator .
The solvent containing the biomass oil component separated by evaporation is separated into a by-product having a boiling point lower than the fractionation temperature and a solvent containing a biomass oil component having a boiling point higher than the fractionation temperature and used as a solvent to be mixed with the biomass. An apparatus for producing a biomass extract, comprising:

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