Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to a two-stage biomass pyrolysis processes that maximize pyrolysis vapor yield from a lignocellulosic biomass while being conducive to commercial-scale throughput of biomass. A lignocellulosic feedstock is first pyrolyzed in a reactor first stage comprising at least one auger at a temperature and residence time that produces pyrolysis vapors derived predominantly from cellulose and hemi-cellulose fractions of the feedstock. Partially-pyrolyzed feedstock from the reactor first stage is then pyrolyzed in a reactor second stage at a higher temperature for an additional residence time to produce additional pyrolysis vapors that are predominantly derived from lignin. Certain embodiments arrange multiple reactor first stages around a single reactor second stage.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to two-stage biomass pyrolysis systems configured to maximize pyrolysis vapor yield from a lignocellulosic biomass while being conducive to commercial-scale throughput of lignocellulosic biomass. The system includes a reactor first stage comprising at least one auger pyrolyzes a lignocellulosic feedstock at a temperature and residence time that produces pyrolysis vapors derived predominantly from cellulose and hemi-cellulose fractions of the feedstock. A reactor second stage is configured to partially-pyrolyzed feedstock from the reactor first stage at a higher temperature for an additional residence time to produce additional pyrolysis vapors that are predominantly derived from of lignin. Certain embodiments arrange multiple reactor first stages around a single reactor second stage.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to novel biomass pyrolysis processes and systems that decrease entrainment of char and other contaminants with the pyrolysis vapors as a direct consequence of the biomass feedstock comprising particles that are larger than a defined minimum diameter. The biomass feedstock may optionally be compressed to form feedstock pellets that are larger than a defined minimum diameter.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to a two-stage biomass pyrolysis processes that maximize pyrolysis vapor yield from a lignocellulosic biomass while being conducive to commercial-scale throughput of biomass. A lignocellulosic feedstock is first pyrolyzed in a reactor first stage comprising at least one auger at a temperature and residence time that produces pyrolysis vapors derived predominantly from cellulose and hemi-cellulose fractions of the feedstock. Partially-pyrolyzed feedstock from the reactor first stage is then pyrolyzed in a reactor second stage at a higher temperature for an additional residence time to produce additional pyrolysis vapors that are predominantly derived from lignin. Certain embodiments arrange multiple reactor first stages around a single reactor second stage.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to two-stage biomass pyrolysis systems configured to maximize pyrolysis vapor yield from a lignocellulosic biomass while being conducive to commercial-scale throughput of lignocellulosic biomass. The system includes a reactor first stage comprising at least one auger pyrolyzes a lignocellulosic feedstock at a temperature and residence time that produces pyrolysis vapors derived predominantly from cellulose and hemi-cellulose fractions of the feedstock. A reactor second stage is configured to partially-pyrolyzed feedstock from the reactor first stage at a higher temperature for an additional residence time to produce additional pyrolysis vapors that are predominantly derived from of lignin. Certain embodiments arrange multiple reactor first stages around a single reactor second stage.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of fractionating bio-oil vapors which involves providing bio-oil vapors comprising bio-oil constituents. The bio-oil vapors are cooled in a first stage which comprises a condenser having passages for the bio-oil separated by a heat conducting wall from passages for a coolant. The coolant in the condenser of the first stage is maintained at a substantially constant temperature, set at a temperature in the range of 75 to 100° C., to condense a first liquid fraction of liquefied bio-oil constituents in the condenser of the first stage. The first liquid fraction of liquified bio-oil constituents from the condenser in the first stage is collected. Also disclosed are steps for subsequently recovering further liquid fractions of liquefied bio-oil constituents. Particular compositions of bio-oil condensation products are also described.

Abstract: A process for quenching, separating and collecting targeted components of a hot pyrolysis product stream from the pyrolysis of biomass is provided. The process utilizes sequential steps of rapid quenching and electrostatic precipitation comprising injecting a coolant comprising at least one of nitrogen, a noble gas and mixtures thereof into a hot pyrolysis vapor to selectively condense a first fraction of components from the hot pyrolysis vapor at a first predetermined temperature which is then collected by electrostatic precipitation in a first electrostatic precipitator at about the first predetermined temperature, where a wall temperature of the first electrostatic precipitator is maintained slightly higher than the first predetermined temperature. The sequential steps of coolant injection and collection are repeated at progressively cooler temperatures in order to selectively collect one or more fractions of the hot mixture.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to novel biomass pyrolysis processes and systems that decrease entrainment of char and other contaminants with the pyrolysis vapors. In certain embodiments, the present disclosure provides methods and systems to prevent entrainment of particles of char and heat carrier with pyrolysis vapors leaving a reactor, while allowing rapid upgrading of the vapors by catalyst(s) that are held in a an upgrading reactor and protected from contact with the char.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to novel biomass pyrolysis processes and systems that decrease entrainment of char and other contaminants with the pyrolysis vapors as a direct consequence of the biomass feedstock comprising particles that are larger than a defined minimum diameter. The biomass feedstock may optionally be compressed to form feedstock pellets that are larger than a defined minimum diameter.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to biomass pyrolysis processes and systems that decrease entrainment of char and other contaminants in the pyrolysis vapors by filtering the vapors in a heated container comprising a moving bed granular filter (MBGF), which in turn, comprises granular heat carrier. The granular heat carrier is heated within the MBGF and fed directly to the pyrolysis reactor, optionally along with filtered solids such as char. In certain embodiments, the MBGF additionally comprises at least one upgrading catalyst that contacts the vapors to produce a hydrocarbon mixture fungible with a petroleum-derived transportation fuel, a hydrocarbon transportation fuel component, or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to novel biomass pyrolysis processes and systems that decrease entrainment of char and other contaminants with the pyrolysis vapors.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to novel biomass pyrolysis processes and systems that decrease entrainment of char and other contaminants with the produced pyrolysis vapors.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to biomass pyrolysis processes and systems that decrease entrainment of char and other contaminants in the pyrolysis vapors by filtering the vapors in a heated container comprising a moving bed granular filter (MBGF), which in turn, comprises granular heat carrier. The granular heat carrier is heated within the MBGF and fed directly to the pyrolysis reactor, optionally along with filtered solids such as char. In certain embodiments, the MBGF additionally comprises at least one upgrading catalyst that contacts the vapors to produce a hydrocarbon mixture fungible with a petroleum-derived transportation fuel, a hydrocarbon transportation fuel component, or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to novel biomass pyrolysis processes and systems that decrease entrainment of char and other contaminants with the produced pyrolysis vapors.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the thermal conversion of biomass. Processes are disclosed for converting biomass to condensable vapor intermediates such as pyrolysis oil by means of catalytic pyrolysis in a reactor comprising at least one auger, where the catalyst also comprises a heat carrier. The intermediates produced may be further processed for production of renewable hydrocarbon fuels.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the thermal conversion of biomass. Processes are disclosed for converting algal biomass to condensable vapor intermediates such as pyrolysis oil by means of pyrolysis in a reactor comprising at least one auger. The intermediates may be further processed for production of renewable hydrocarbon fuels. The disclosed processes assist in preventing premature devolatization of algal biomass during pyrolysis, thereby increasing efficiency and commercial feasibility.

Abstract: A method of fractionating bio-oil vapors which involves providing bio-oil vapors comprising bio-oil constituents is described. The bio-oil vapors are cooled in a first stage which comprises a condenser having passages for the bio-oil separated by a heat conducting wall from passages for a coolant. The coolant in the condenser of the first stage is maintained at a substantially constant temperature, set at a temperature in the range of 75 to 100° C., to condense a first liquid fraction of liquefied bio-oil constituents in the condenser of the first stage. The first liquid fraction of liquified bio-oil constituents from the condenser in the first stage is collected. Also described are steps for subsequently recovering further liquid fractions of liquefied bio-oil constituents. Particular compositions of bio-oil condensation products are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a method for removing contaminants from a fluid stream and chemically upgrading the stream at the same time. More particularly, the invention relates to a catalytic moving bed filter for removing contaminants from a gas or vapor stream and to compositions comprising both moving bed filter materials and one or more catalysts intimately admixed therewith.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process to utilize a torrefaction pretreatment step for biomass pyrolysis process. This pretreatment improves the quality of the pyrolysis oil by reducing acidity. The inventive process shows that as a pretreatment to pyrolysis, resulting pyrolysis oil obtained from torrefied biomass has approximately 25% lower acetic acid than that from untorrefied biomass pyrolysis oil.

Abstract: A process for quenching, separating and collecting targeted components of a hot pyrolysis product stream from the pyrolysis of biomass is provided. The process utilizes rapid quenching and electrostatic precipitation at a predetermined temperature in order to selectively collect one or more fractions of the hot mixture.