Prototyping of a Laboratory-Scale Cyclone Separator for Biofuel Production from Biomass Feedstocks Using a Fused Deposition Modeling Printer

摘要

Nowadays, additive manufacturing (AM) enables research institutions and companies to make a prototype of a complex apparatus in a timely and cost-effective manner. In this study, a cyclone separator is designed and built, using one of AM technologies [i.e., fused deposition modeling (FDM)] for removal of solid contaminants. The FDM-printed cyclone has been integrated and empirically verified on the catalytic fast pyrolysis conversion process for bioproducts (e.g., bio-oil and biochar) production from biomass feedstocks. The Pyrolysis process is near commercial ready, yet requires further research to address shortcomings (e.g., process yield and product quality) in the major components, such as feed system, reactor, cyclone, and condenser. Lab-scale, three-dimensional (3D) printed prototypes can, in turn, accelerate the evaluation process before developing the final conversion process components. AM is one of the promising approaches for prototyping a complicated apparatus in bioenergy production process.