DE102019117573A1 - Process for the production of thermally modified cellulose- and / or hemicellulose-containing biomaterials and their use - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for producing thermally modified cellulose and / or hemicellulose-containing biomaterials, the thermally modified cellulose and / or hemicellulose-containing biomaterials, a device for carrying out the method and the use of the method or the device for producing a plant substrate , an insulating material, a composite material, a filter material, an adsorbent or absorbent of a food or drug, preferably for animals, or animal litter.

Description

The invention relates to a method for producing thermally modified cellulose- and / or hemicellulose-containing biomaterials, the thermally modified cellulose- and / or hemicellulose-containing biomaterials, a device for performing the method and the use of the method or the device for producing a plant substrate , an insulating material, a composite material, a filter material, an adsorbent or absorbent, a food or pharmaceutical, preferably for animals, or animal litter.

Due to its high porosity, high water storage capacity, structural stability and long-term stability, high ion exchangeability and low nutrient content, peat has been by far the most important raw material for the production of high-quality growing media for commercial and horticultural horticulture since the 1960s. Currently, 12 million cubic meters of peat are used annually for the production of growing media in Germany (Hehmann et al. 2017).

Due to the existing environmental and climate problems, peat should only be cut and consumed to a limited extent in Germany and the EU, and thus the use of peat in growing media and potting soil should be reduced in the medium term and discontinued in the future. This goal is also set out in the Federal Government's National Climate Protection Plan 2050 (BMU, 2016).

Finding alternative raw materials that can equally replace peat in growing media is therefore becoming a key challenge for commercial and horticultural horticulture.

Currently, composted materials (compost and bark humus), wood fibers or chaff and coconut products (coconut fibers and coconut dust) are primarily used as organic peat substitute products in the EU (Schmilewski 2017). Compared to peat, peat substitute products, such as wood fibers, have improved values in terms of pH, water-binding capacity and air pore volume and also have a higher degree of decomposition, accelerated humification, lower structural stability and thus nitrogen immobilization.

WO 9503371 A1 describes a method for producing a peat granulate substitute material from wood chippings or plant bark at elevated temperatures with the addition of an aqueous alkali solution in order to kill heat-labile plant pathogens and at least partially dissolve lignin. Further describes WO 9503371 A1 grinding the bark material to separate the cellulosic fibers.

EP0923854B1 discloses a method and an extruder for the production of a peat substitute product from lignocellulose-containing materials by means of a physico-chemical digestion through the application of superheated steam.

Wood fibers are obtained by means of digestion systems, such as thermomechanically in twin-screw extruders or hydrothermally in refiners. The fiber structure is intentional and causes the peat-like character. The fibers or fiber bundles have a maximum length of approx. 25 mm, similar to peat products. Wood fibers advantageously only have low levels of nutrients and ballast salts and pollutants and are free from phytopathogenic germs. In contrast to composted materials, wood fibers also advantageously cause no problems due to a high, strongly buffered pH value and have advantageous physical properties.

One problem, however, is the easy microbial degradability. This leads to severe sagging losses and considerable nitrogen immobilization. In the case of wood fibers, this problem has still not been solved despite many years of intensive research activities (Carlile et al. 2015). The microbial degradability poses a high cultural risk for the gardener and causes difficulties in logistics, since the substrates can hardly be stored, which is why the proportion of wood fibers - as with other cellulose-rich starting materials - is around 20% to 30% by volume .-% is limited. In order to increase this proportion, the microbial degradability must be significantly reduced (Gruda 2012).

Furthermore, a large number of different biomass and fiber plants, including hemp (cannabis), streaky silphie (Silphium perfoliatum), Sida (Sida hermaphordita), Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus), reed (Phragmites australis), giant chinese reed (Miscanthus x giganteus), poplar ( Populus), willow (Salix) or bluebell tree (Paulownia tomentosa), tested for their suitability as a substrate raw material ( Lohr et al. 2014, Grießer 2016, Hehmann et al. 2017 ). However, these substances have only played a subordinate role in terms of quantity.

A possible alternative is the use of biochar or biochar, also known as "terra preta", in growing media. In terms of energy, biochars are generated by pyrolytic carbonization of plant materials or by hydrothermal carbonization (HTC). Moist biomass (e.g. green core waste or fermentation residues from biogas plants) can also be used to advantage in the production of HTC coal (Lohr et al. 2015). Biochar represents due to the pyrogenic Carbon dioxide capture and storage represent a potential means of offsetting carbon dioxide emissions. Only through composting in particle form (similar to dust) with approx. 10% mass fraction does biochar and HTC coal no longer have a denitrifying effect, but plant-available nitrogen compounds, such as. B. ammonium compounds. Advantageously, biochar has a limited decomposition behavior and can store water, minerals and fertilizer due to a partially porous structure, but disadvantageously also poisons.

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a method for producing peat substitute products with improved long-term stability.

1. a) Bereitstellen mindestens eines Cellulose- und/oder Hemicellulose-haltigen Biomaterials,
2. b) Vortemperierung des mindestens einen Cellulose- und/oder Hemicellulose-haltigen Biomaterials mittels Heißdampf,
3. c) Thermomechanische Modifizierung mittels Bioextruder und
4. d) Torrefizierung.

According to the invention, the object is achieved by the method for producing thermally modified cellulose and / or hemicellulose-containing biomaterials comprising the steps

1. a) providing at least one cellulose- and / or hemicellulose-containing biomaterial,
2. b) preheating of the at least one cellulose- and / or hemicellulose-containing biomaterial by means of superheated steam,
3. c) Thermomechanical modification using a bioextruder and
4. d) torrefaction.

The method according to the invention is advantageously environmentally friendly. The thermally modified cellulose- and / or hemicellulose-containing biomaterials produced with the method according to the invention advantageously have a high porosity, a reduced degree of decomposition, a higher storage capacity, in particular water storage capacity; and improved insulation properties than unmodified biomaterials. The thermally modified cellulose- and / or hemicellulose-containing biomaterials produced with the method according to the invention also advantageously have good rooting properties, plant compatibility and cation exchange capacity.

The process according to the invention is preferably carried out with a sequence of steps a), b), c) and d).

In embodiments of the method according to the invention, the at least one cellulose- and / or hemicellulose-containing biomaterial made of wood, wood pulp, bark, bamboo, hemp (cannabis), streaked silphie (Silphium perfoliatum), Sida (Sida hermaphordita), Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus) , Reed (Phragmites australis), giant chinese reed (Miscanthus x giganteus), poplar (Populus), willow (Salix), bluebell tree (Paulownia tomentosa), plant processing residues and residues.

The term “residues” refers to lignified plant materials that are separated as a coarse fraction during green waste processing or composting, preferably sieved out (sieve overflow).

Cellulose- and / or hemicellulose-containing biomaterials are preferred, lignified plant materials. A woody plant material is understood to mean a plant material obtained from nature with lignin deposits in the cell walls.

In embodiments of the method according to the invention, the at least one woody plant material is selected from wood, wood pulp, bark, bamboo and plant processing residues.

Wood of poor quality, in particular wood infested with red rot, can also advantageously be used for the method according to the invention.

The at least one lignified plant material is preferably selected from plant processing residues, in particular nutshells, sawmill residues and wood from short rotation plantations. Many of these plant materials are advantageously produced as waste or inexpensive residues.

The at least one cellulose- and / or hemicellulose-containing biomaterial is preferably used in comminuted form, e.g. B. as wood chips, pellets, shavings, fibers, wood flour or powder.

In one embodiment, the preheating in step b) takes place without hot water.

The preheating in step b) is expediently carried out at a temperature in the range from 60.degree. C. to 105.degree.

In an alternative embodiment, the preheating in step b) takes place by means of hot water.

In one embodiment, the preheating in step b) takes place in a temperature control unit, preferably a tower heater or water bath. In one embodiment, the preheating in step b) takes place for 3 minutes to 6 minutes, preferably 4 minutes.

A “bioextruder” is a digestion apparatus and an intensive mixer for biological material. According to the invention, during the thermomechanical modification by means of a bioextruder, the temperature-controlled one frays Cellulosic and / or hemicellulosic biomaterials. The thermomechanical modification by means of bioextruders advantageously results in a breakdown into the cell structure through alternating pressure relaxation zones, cell walls are perforated, binding forces in the cellulose and / or hemicellulose-containing biomaterial are reduced, the cellulose- and / or hemicellulose-containing biomaterial plasticizes and incrustations , especially lignin, is released from the cells. A higher temperature is expediently bound to zones with higher pressure and, when the pressure is released, cells are disrupted along the cell under steam pressure.

In one embodiment of the method according to the invention for the production of thermally modified cellulose- and / or hemicellulose-containing biomaterials, the bioextruder is a twin screw extruder, in particular a twin screw extruder as in FIG DE 10 2012 200 167 B4 disclosed.

The thermomechanical modification is expediently carried out at a temperature in the range from 100.degree. C. to 200.degree. C., preferably in the range from 160.degree. C. to 180.degree.

In embodiments, the thermomechanical modification takes place for 5 s to 60 s, depending on the speed and number of gears.

A “torrefaction” is understood to mean a thermal modification of biomaterials, in particular plant materials, without the supply of air. This leads to a decomposition of the biomaterials, in particular a breakdown of cellulose and / or hemicellulose, and to a drying of the biomaterials and the discharge of volatile substances, in particular terpenes. The mass and volume-related energy density of the biomaterial as well as the transportability are advantageously increased. In one embodiment, the weight is reduced in the range from 25% by mass to 26% by mass. The torrefaction also advantageously reduces the microbiological degradability of the biomaterials and thus increases the stability.

The torrefaction expediently achieves a hygienization, whereby pathogenic germs, fungi and / or plant seeds in the biomaterials are killed.

The torrefaction advantageously means that no composting of the thermally modified cellulose and / or hemicellulose-containing biomaterials is necessary, whereas biochar and HTC charcoal produced by pyrolysis require composting in particle form (similar to dust) with a mass fraction of around 10% for up to one year is to establish the plant availability of the substrate.

The torrefaction is expediently carried out at a temperature in the range from 100.degree. C. to 300.degree. C., preferably at a temperature in the range from 180.degree. C. to 260.degree. At temperatures below 300 ° C, encrustation of the cells and the formation of crystalline compounds are advantageously prevented.

In embodiments, the torrefaction takes place for 2 minutes to 20 minutes, preferably 3 minutes to 6 minutes. The use of comminuted cellulose- and / or hemicellulose-containing biomaterials and / or the pre-digestion in the thermomechanical modification in step c) advantageously results in a significant reduction in the residence time of the torrefaction. The use of energy is also advantageously reduced significantly compared to coarse material.

In one embodiment, the torrefaction takes place with a reduction in oxygen. An “oxygen reduction” is understood to mean a gas mixture comprising oxygen with a proportion of at most 20% by volume, preferably less than 10% by volume.

In preferred embodiments, the torrefaction takes place under a steam atmosphere, preferably by introducing superheated steam; and / or with a gas supply, preferably by a supply of argon, carbon dioxide or nitrogen. The torrefaction is preferably carried out under a steam atmosphere by introducing superheated steam.

The at least one cellulose- and / or hemicellulose-containing biomaterial is preferably also used to generate the superheated steam in step b) and / or a temperature increase for thermomechanical modification in step c) and / or a temperature increase for torrefaction in step d). Energy from the material flow is advantageously used for the thermomechanical modification and torrefaction.

In a further embodiment, 5% by mass to 20% by mass of the cellulose- and / or hemicellulose-containing biomaterial are used to generate the superheated steam.

A generation of the superheated steam by the at least one cellulose- and / or hemicellulose-containing biomaterial is an environmentally friendly method.

In a further embodiment, the temperature is increased in step b), in step c) and / or in step d) by means of a heat exchanger, preferably operated with thermal oil or another suitable energy source.

In one embodiment, vapors produced during torrefaction are condensed. “Vapors” are understood to mean a water-saturated gas or gas mixture which, among other things, arises from a drying process for solids, in particular biomaterials. The vapors are preferably condensed using a vapor condensation unit. A “vapor condensation unit” is understood to mean an apparatus for condensing the vapors and discharging non-condensable gases or gas mixtures.

Secondary constituents of the cellulose- and / or hemicellulose-containing biomaterial, in particular isoprenoids or aromatic accompanying substances, are preferably collected during the vapor condensation. Isoprenoids obtained during vapor condensation can be, inter alia, resins, rubber or essential oils, especially terpenes. Aromatic accompanying substances occurring during vapor condensation can include phenols, tannins or flavonoids. The utilization of secondary constituents of the cellulose- and / or hemicellulose-containing biomaterial, in particular as essential oil or plant tonic, which occurs during vapor condensation is advantageous; the economy of the process according to the invention is further increased.

The heat of vapor condensation is particularly preferably used to generate the superheated steam in step b) and / or to increase the temperature for thermomechanical modification in step c). An environmentally friendly process is advantageously obtained by using the heat of vapor condensation to generate the superheated steam.

In further embodiments, the method comprises at least one further step, the further step being an enzymatic modification of the thermally modified cellulose- and / or hemicellulose-containing biomaterials, preferably after step d). Oxidoreductases, particularly preferably oxygenases and / or laccases, are preferred for enzymatic modification; White rot fungi and / or bacteria used. The enzymatic modification advantageously reduces the hydrophobicity of the thermally modified cellulose- and / or hemicellulose-containing biomaterials.

The enzymatic modification of the thermally modified cellulose- and / or hemicellulose-containing biomaterials is preferably carried out by spraying on an enzyme solution.

In a further embodiment, the method comprises at least one further step, wherein the further step is loading the thermally modified cellulose- and / or hemicellulose-containing biomaterials with nutrients after step d). For loading with nutrients, nitrogenous residues from agriculture, in particular fermentation residues, are preferred; Food industry, especially vinasse; or animal residues, especially sheep's wool; used.

The invention also relates to thermally modified cellulose- and / or hemicellulose-containing biomaterials obtainable by the process according to the invention.

The thermally modified cellulose- and / or hemicellulose-containing biomaterials according to the invention advantageously have a large surface area and a large air pore volume, a low degree of decomposition, a high storage capacity, in particular water storage capacity; low nitrogen immobilization and good insulation properties. The thermally modified cellulose- and / or hemicellulose-containing biomaterials also advantageously have good root penetration, plant compatibility and cation exchange capacity.

Thus, the thermally modified cellulose- and / or hemicellulose-containing biomaterials according to the invention have a peat-like character, the stability being increased compared to peat.

The plant compatibility is determined by means of the plant germ test according to ISO 17126 and the test of the inhibitory effect on early plant growth according to DIN ISO 11269-2. The nitrogen immobilization is determined using the Zöttl test.

The thermally modified cellulose- and / or hemicellulose-containing biomaterials according to the invention are also advantageously free from pathogenic germs, fungi and / or plant seeds.

The invention also relates to thermally modified cellulose- and / or hemicellulose-containing biomaterials obtained by the process according to the invention.

In embodiments, the thermally modified cellulose- and / or hemicellulose-containing biomaterials have a bulk density in the range from 50 g / l to 150 g / l, a pore proportion in the range from 92% by volume to 98% by volume, a water absorption capacity in Range from 60 vol .-% to 92 vol .-%, an air absorption capacity in the range from 48 vol .-% to 75 vol .-% and / or a degree of decomposition in the range from 20 mass% to 40 mass%.

In embodiments, the thermally modified cellulose- and / or hemicellulose-containing biomaterials have fiber bundles with a length in the range from 1 to 25 mm, preferably 1 mm to 15 mm mm, on. The fiber structure advantageously results in improved properties, including a low degree of decomposition, a high storage capacity, in particular water storage capacity; and good insulation properties; compared to particulate plant substrates such as biochar.

1. i) eine Temperiereinheit,
2. ii) einen Bioextruder, wobei der Bioextruder mit der Temperiereinheit verbunden ist,
3. iii) eine Einheit zur Torrefizierung, wobei die Einheit zur Torrefizierung mit dem Bioextruder verbunden ist.

The invention also provides a device for carrying out the method according to the invention or for producing the thermally modified cellulose and / or hemicellulose-containing biomaterials

1. i) a temperature control unit,
2. ii) a bioextruder, the bioextruder being connected to the temperature control unit,
3. iii) a unit for torrefaction, the unit for torrefaction being connected to the bioextruder.

In one embodiment, the temperature control unit is a tower heater or a water bath. The temperature control unit is preferably connected to a metering unit.

A “bioextruder” is a digestion apparatus and an intensive mixer for biological material. In one embodiment of the device according to the invention, the bioextruder is a twin screw extruder, in particular a twin screw extruder as in FIG DE 10 2012 200 167 B4 disclosed.

In a further embodiment, the torrefaction unit is connected to a superheated steam generator or heat exchanger. In further embodiments, the superheated steam generator or heat exchanger is connected to the torrefaction unit and the bioextruder and / or the temperature control unit. The superheated steam generator or heat exchanger is preferably connected to the torrefaction unit and the bioextruder and the temperature control unit.

In a preferred embodiment, the torrefaction unit is connected to a vapor condensation unit.

In a further embodiment, the vapor condensation unit is also connected to the temperature control unit and / or the bioextruder and / or the metering unit. The vapor condensation unit is preferably also connected to the temperature control unit and the bioextruder.

In a further embodiment, the torrefaction unit comprises an injector for introducing a gas, preferably carbon dioxide, argon, nitrogen or superheated steam.

The unit for torrefaction is preferably also connected to a unit for enzymatic modification.

Another aspect of the invention relates to the use of the method according to the invention or the device according to the invention for producing a plant substrate, an insulating material, a composite material, a filter material, an adsorbent or absorbent, in particular an oil binder; of a food or drug, especially for animals, or animal litter.

An oil binder is produced to break down or remove oil pollution from the surface of the water in seas, rivers, inland waterways and retention basins or wastewater treatment plants. The use of biodegradable oil binders prevents contamination of the waters into which the binder is applied.

In one embodiment, medicaments are especially for animals, medicaments for oral administration, especially for the treatment of the gastrointestinal tract, e.g. B. charcoal tablets.

Another aspect of the invention relates to the use of thermally modified cellulose and / or hemicellulose-containing biomaterials produced by the method according to the invention or with the device according to the invention as a plant substrate, insulating material, filter materials, adsorbents or absorbents, animal litter, in wood-plastic composite materials ( Wood-plastic composites, WPC), fiber-cement compounds or fiber-clay compounds.

The use of thermally modified cellulose and / or hemicellulose-containing biomaterials as a plant substrate advantageously protects the resource peat and thus contributes to the preservation of peat bogs as a habitat and carbon dioxide storage. The thermally modified cellulose- and / or hemicellulose-containing biomaterials also advantageously have a longer service life than unmodified biomaterials, as a result of which small amounts of the peat substitute product have to be used in plant substrates. The thermally modified cellulose- and / or hemicellulose-containing biomaterials also advantageously enable humus build-up or soil improvement in commercial and horticultural horticulture.

The thermally modified cellulose- and / or hemicellulose-containing biomaterials advantageously have a nutrient composition which is suitable for horticulture and enables long-term fertilization. Also advantageously takes place their manufacture with lower carbon dioxide emissions, since a higher proportion of carbon is retained in the biomaterials. The low degree of decomposition reduces emissions compared to peat or other non-torrefied biomaterials in plant substrates. Torrefied fibers with long-term stability are a carbon dioxide sink.

The thermally modified cellulose and / or hemicellulose-containing biomaterials advantageously offer a favorable habitat for microorganisms.

Due to the raw material of the cellulose and / or hemicellulose-containing biomaterials for the production of plant substrates, local economic cycles can be used and sustainable land use concepts can be made possible.

To implement the invention, it is also expedient to combine the embodiments and features of the claims described above.

Figure list

The invention will be explained in more detail below on the basis of a few exemplary embodiments and associated figures. The exemplary embodiments are intended to describe the invention without restricting it.

• 1 ein Schema einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung umfassend eine Dosiereinheit (4), die das mindestens eine Cellulose- und/oder Hemicellulose-haltige Biomaterial (7) in die Temperiereinheit (1) dosiert, einen Bioextruder (2), eine Einheit zur Torrefizierung (3), in der die thermisch modifizierten Cellulose- und/oder Hemicellulose-haltigen Biomaterialien (8) erhalten werden, einen Heißdampferzeuger (5), welcher mit der Temperiereinheit (1), dem Bioextruder (2) und der Einheit zur Torrefizierung (3) verbunden ist; und eine Brüdenkondensationseinheit (6), welche Brüden bei der thermomechanischen Modifizierung in dem Bioextruder (2) und der Torrefizierung auffängt und kondensiert, wodurch sekundäre Inhaltsstoffe des Cellulose- und/oder Hemicellulose-haltigen Biomaterials (9) gewonnen werden, und die Brüdenkondensationswärme in die Temperiereinheit (1) und die Dosiereinheit (4) leitet.

It shows the

• 1 a scheme of a device according to the invention comprising a dosing unit ( 4th ), which contain at least one cellulose- and / or hemicellulose-containing biomaterial ( 7th ) into the temperature control unit ( 1 ) dosed, a bioextruder ( 2 ), a torrefaction unit ( 3 ), in which the thermally modified cellulose and / or hemicellulose-containing biomaterials ( 8th ), a superheated steam generator ( 5 ), which is connected to the temperature control unit ( 1 ), the bioextruder ( 2 ) and the torrefaction unit ( 3 ) connected is; and a vapor condensation unit ( 6th ), which vapors during the thermomechanical modification in the bioextruder ( 2 ) and the torrefaction and condenses, whereby secondary ingredients of the cellulose and / or hemicellulose-containing biomaterial ( 9 ) and the vapor condensation heat in the temperature control unit ( 1 ) and the dosing unit ( 4th ) directs.

Process for the production of thermally modified wood fibers with an output for 12 m ³ / h:

The process for the production of thermally modified wood fibers takes place with a device according to 1 . Pre-shredded biomass ( 7th ), in particular wood chips made of spruce wood with an edge length of 30x30x10 mm (G30), is fed into a dosing unit with a conveyor (wheel loader, forklift, belt, screw etc.) 4th ) given up. This is a scraper chain feeder with a volume of 12 m ³ . The biomass is continuously and slowly conveyed by means of a speed-controlled basic scraper system located on the floor. An inclined scraper belt in the front, which is height adjustable and thus forms an adjustable gap to the basic scraper belt, ensures a regulated discharge and an adjustable dosage without bridging and irregular breaks.

The biomass falls into a temperature control unit ( 1 ), a temperature-controlled, insulated water bath with 95 ° C to 100 ° C. The biomass remains in the water bath for at least 5 minutes, is heated, softened and wetted. The wood chips reach a temperature of approx. 90 ° C. The biomass is pressed under the water by built-in paddles and, after the dwell time, is conveyed out of the water bath by a scraper belt that leads upwards anyway. Excess water is returned to the water bath. The hot water that is discharged with the biomass is constantly fed. The water bath is insulated and enclosed. Heavy contaminants (stones, metals, etc.) sink in the water bath and are discharged laterally upwards by means of a conveyor belt or a screw.

The softened wood chips are transferred to a modified bioextruder ( 2 ) supplied. Due to its arrangement and shape of the robust counter-rotating screws, the fibers are frayed by a thermo-mechanical process. The intertwining screws form large volumes and narrow spaces where they mesh with one another. This creates pressure and relaxation zones. With each rotation, the large volume is compressed and moved past the narrow passages. This creates a higher temperature with subsequent relaxation. The vapor pressure formed in the cells and the biomass opens up the cell structures (multiple steam explosion effect). Along the cell wall, fibers are drawn into the cell structure. Cell structures, fiber bundles and openings in the cell wall are formed. The disintegration with changing temperature conditions, flexing processes and pressure change conditions loosen and dissolve lignins and lead to an enlarged surface. The fiber is heated due to the friction and the thermo-mechanical effect and dissolved into the cell structure. This creates vapors.

The modified bioextruder ( 2 ) is an MSZ B 110 S3 with an extended screw system. The torrefaction unit ( 3 ) downstream. This is similar to a twin screw extruder built up, but with two screws with a diameter of 500mm. They run together with a length of up to 5m, according to the volume to be enforced. The selectable speed ensures a dwell time of approx. 10 minutes. The housing is encapsulated and made pressure-resistant up to max. 40 bar. From the bioextruder ( 2 ) the suspected frayed substrate is supplied encapsulated and dosed. The discharge from the torrefaction unit takes place via a transverse screw that presses against a cone. This cone counter pressure can be adjusted, as can the speed of the discharge screw. This ensures the uncontrolled discharge of the substrate and the vapor pressure. The torrefaction takes place by means of steam, which can be regulated between 220 ° C and 300 ° C. Excess vapors are discharged into a vapor condensation unit ( 6th ) discharged. This unit is used to cool the steam on cooled surfaces and to use the energy it contains to heat the water bath of the temperature control unit. The cold water to be supplied is used for condensation and heat dissipation.

The condensation during torrefaction creates terpenes that can be used as plant strengtheners and to combat vermin (aphids) (9).

That from the torrefaction unit ( 3 ) upcoming fibrous peat substitute material ( 8th ) is placed on a ventilated sieve belt for cooling and drying and can be further processed in BigBags, sacks or loose and added to the substrate as a peat substitute.

The necessary heat is obtained from the starting substrate stream, here wood chips, in a furnace to generate steam.

In an alternative embodiment, the electricity is generated from a generator set that runs on heating oil and the waste heat is used for the process, the cooling water for heating the water bath and the exhaust gases for torrefaction. This means that the system can also be used autonomously in a mobile or semi-mobile manner.

Non-patent literature cited

Federal Ministry for Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) (2016) Climate Protection Plan 2050 - Climate Protection Principles and Goals of the Federal Government p. 67. Carlile WR, Cattivello C, Zaccheo P (2015) Organic Growing Media: Constituents and Properties. Vadose Zone Journal 14 (6), 1-13 .

Grießer S (2016) Peat substitute substrates for commercial horticulture - A contribution to sustainable land use in Lower Saxony. Dissertation.

Gruda N (2012) Current and future perspective of growing media in europe. Acta Horticulturae 960, 37-43

Hehmann D, Kraska T, Völkering G, Pude R (2017) Perennial biomass plants as starting material for growing media: Influence on substrate properties and plant development. Federal Association of University Graduates / Engineers Horticulture and Landscape Architecture e. V. (BHGL) - 51 . Annual Horticultural Conference “The Contribution of Horticultural Products to Nutrition and Health”, Series of publications, Volume 32, 127.

Lohr D, Meinken E (2015) Improving the suitability of HTC coal for plant cultivation through co-composting. Trials in German horticulture 2015. Vegetable growing, 1-5 .

Lohr D, Richter D, Meinken E (2014) Sieve residues from fiber hemp processing as a peat substitute. Trials in German horticulture 2014. Ornamental plants, 1-6 .

Schmilewski G (2017) Growing media constituents used in the EU in 2013. International Symposium on Growing Media, Composting and Substrate Analysis - SusGro2015. Acta Horticulturae 1168, 85-92 .

List of reference symbols

1

Temperature control unit

2

Bioextruder

3

Torrefaction unit

4th

Dosing unit

5

Superheated steam generator

6th

Vapor condensation unit

7th

at least one cellulose- and / or hemicellulose-containing biomaterial

8th

torrefied cellulosic and / or hemicellulosic biomaterials

9

Condensed vapors

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent literature cited

• WO 9503371 A1 [0006]
• EP 0923854 B1 [0007]
• DE 102012200167 B4 [0028, 0058]

Non-patent literature cited

• Lohr et al. 2014, Grießer 2016, Hehmann et al. 2017 [0010]
• Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) (2016) Climate Protection Plan 2050 - Climate Protection Principles and Goals of the Federal Government p. 67. Carlile WR, Cattivello C, Zaccheo P (2015) Organic Growing Media: Constituents and Properties. Vadose Zone Journal 14 (6), 1-13 [0083]
• Gruda N (2012) Current and future perspective of growing media in europe. Acta Horticulturae 960, 37-43 [0085]
• Hehmann D, Kraska T, Völkering G, Pude R (2017) Perennial biomass plants as starting material for growing media: Influence on substrate properties and plant development. Federal Association of University Graduates / Engineers Horticulture and Landscape Architecture e. V. (BHGL) - 51 [0086]
• Lohr D, Meinken E (2015) Improving the suitability of HTC coal for plant cultivation through co-composting. Trials in German horticulture 2015. Vegetable growing, 1-5 [0087]
• Lohr D, Richter D, Meinken E (2014) Sieve residues from fiber hemp processing as a peat substitute. Trials in German horticulture 2014. Ornamental plants, 1-6 [0088]
• Schmilewski G (2017) Growing media constituents used in the EU in 2013. International Symposium on Growing Media, Composting and Substrate Analysis - SusGro2015. Acta Horticulturae 1168, 85-92 [0089]

Claims (15)

A method for the production of thermally modified cellulose and / or hemicellulose-containing biomaterials comprising the steps a) providing at least one cellulose- and / or hemicellulose-containing biomaterial, b) preheating of the at least one cellulose- and / or hemicellulose-containing biomaterial by means of superheated steam, c) Thermomechanical modification using a bioextruder and d) torrefaction. Process for the production of thermally modified cellulose and / or hemicellulose-containing biomaterials according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the at least one cellulosic and / or hemicellulosic biomaterial is selected from wood, wood pulp, bark, bamboo, hemp, streaky Silphie, Sida, Jerusalem artichoke, reed, giant cinchona, poplar, willow, bluebell tree and plant processing residues. Process for the production of thermally modified cellulose and / or hemicellulose-containing biomaterials according to Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the torrefaction takes place at a temperature in the range from 180 ° C to 260 ° C. Process for the production of thermally modified cellulose and / or hemicellulose-containing biomaterials according to one of the Claims 1 to 3 , characterized in that the torrefaction takes place under a water vapor atmosphere and / or with a gas supply, preferably of carbon dioxide or nitrogen. Process for the production of thermally modified cellulose and / or hemicellulose-containing biomaterials according to one of the Claims 1 to 4th , characterized in that the at least one cellulose- and / or hemicellulose-containing biomaterial is also used to generate the superheated steam in step b) and / or a temperature increase for thermomechanical modification in step c) and / or a temperature increase for torrefaction in step d) becomes. Process for the production of thermally modified cellulose and / or hemicellulose-containing biomaterials according to one of the Claims 1 to 5 , characterized in that vapors occurring during torrefaction are condensed. Process for the production of thermally modified cellulose and / or hemicellulose-containing biomaterials according to one of the Claims 1 to 6th , characterized in that the method comprises at least one further step, the further step being an enzymatic modification of the thermally modified cellulose- and / or hemicellulose-containing biomaterials, preferably after step d). Thermally modified cellulose and / or hemicellulose-containing biomaterials obtained by the method according to one of the Claims 1 to 7th . Device for carrying out the method according to one of the Claims 1 to 7th or for the production of the thermally modified cellulose and / or hemicellulose-containing biomaterials according to Claim 8 comprising i) a temperature control unit (1) ii) a bioextruder (2), wherein the bioextruder (2) is connected to the temperature control unit (1), iii) a unit for torrefaction (3), the unit for torrefaction (3) with the bioextruder (2) is connected. Device according to Claim 9 , wherein the temperature control unit (1) is connected to a metering unit (4). Device according to Claim 9 or 10 , wherein the torrefaction unit (3) is connected to a superheated steam generator or heat exchanger (5). Device according to one of the Claims 9 to 11 , wherein the torrefaction unit (3) is connected to a vapor condensation unit (6). Device according to Claim 12 , the vapor condensation unit (6) still being connected to that of the temperature control unit (1) and / or the bioextruder (2) and / or the dosing unit (4). Use of the method according to one of the Claims 1 to 7th or the device according to one of the Claims 9 to 13th for the production of a plant substrate, an insulating material, a composite material, a filter material, an adsorbent or absorbent, a food or medicine, preferably for animals, or animal litter. Use of thermally modified cellulose and / or hemicellulose-containing biomaterials produced by the method according to one of the Claims 1 to 7th or with the device according to one of the Claims 9 to 13th as a plant substrate, insulating material, filter materials, adsorbents or absorbents, animal litter, in wood-plastic composite materials (wood-plastic composites, WPC), fiber-cement compounds or fiber-clay compounds.

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