Robust Vacuum Solutions in Biomass Processing

The success in converting biomass feedstock to financially viable products is down to combining good ideas and optimising resources such as vacuum. Safety, pollution prevention and control, energy consumption, processing times, quality and yield in many applications in biomass processing, as in other industries, are influenced by vacuum equipment. Minimising capital and running costs and optimising throughputs are significant benefits. Correct sizing and selection of vacuum systems can contribute significantly to these benefits. The capacity of the vacuum system varies from a laboratory to a biorefinery but the same design data and selection rules apply. Sizing of the vacuum equipment, including piping and accessories, is determined from process parameters such as air leakage, pressure, temperature and vapour flows. Selection of the correct technology, (wet, dry or combinations), is the next step in the design. Wet technologies include liquid ring vacuum pumps, steam, ejectors and oil-sealed pumps. Dry technologies include claw, screw and Roots mechanisms and air ejectors. Correct system design is the concluding step in ensuring mechanical, electrical and regulations and standards such as PED, DIN, ATEX and IPPC are met. These lead to safe and reliable systems with environmentally friendly and economic end-products.