Abstract: Water-resistant, high-durability, and high-density biocarbon pellets are described. In some variations, a process for producing biocarbon pellets comprises: pyrolyzing a biomass-containing feedstock in a pyrolysis reactor, thereby generating a solid biocarbon-containing material and a pyrolysis vapor; introducing the pyrolysis vapor to a separation system configured to recover a pyrolysis condensate in liquid form separated from non-condensable gases; capturing pyrolysis condensate as a polyphenolic material; contacting the solid biocarbon-containing material with the polyphenolic material, thereby generating an intermediate mixture; introducing the intermediate mixture to a densification unit, thereby generating a biocarbon pellet precursor; and at least partially drying the biocarbon pellet precursor, thereby generating biocarbon pellets characterized by a 24-hour water uptake of about 20 wt % or less, measured at 25° C. and 1 bar.

Abstract: Water-resistant, high-durability, and high-density biocarbon pellets are described. In some variations, a process for producing biocarbon pellets comprises: pyrolyzing a biomass-containing feedstock in a pyrolysis reactor, thereby generating a solid biocarbon-containing material and a pyrolysis vapor; introducing the pyrolysis vapor to a separation system configured to recover a pyrolysis condensate in liquid form separated from non-condensable gases; capturing pyrolysis condensate as a polyphenolic material; contacting the solid biocarbon-containing material with the polyphenolic material, thereby generating an intermediate mixture; introducing the intermediate mixture to a densification unit, thereby generating a biocarbon pellet precursor; and at least partially drying the biocarbon pellet precursor, thereby generating biocarbon pellets characterized by a 24-hour water uptake of about 20 wt % or less, measured at 25° C. and 1 bar.

Abstract: Some variations provide a carbon-negative carbon product that is characterized by a carbon intensity less than 0 kg CO2e per metric ton of the carbon-negative carbon product, wherein the carbon-negative carbon product contains at least about 50 wt % carbon. In some embodiments, the carbon intensity is less than ?500 kg CO2e per metric ton of the carbon-negative carbon product. Other variations provide a carbon-negative metal product (e.g., a steel product) that is characterized by a carbon intensity less than 0 kg CO2e per metric ton of the carbon-negative metal product, wherein the metal product contains from 50 wt % to 100 wt % of one or more metals and optionally one or more alloying elements. In some embodiments, the carbon-negative metal product is characterized by a carbon intensity less than ?200 kg CO2e per metric ton of the carbon-negative metal product. The carbon-negative metal product can contain a wide variety of metals.

Abstract: This invention provides processes and systems for converting biomass into high carbon biogenic reagents that are suitable for a variety of commercial applications. Some embodiments employ pyrolysis in the presence of an inert gas to generate hot pyrolyzed solids, condensable vapors, and non-condensable gases, followed by separation of vapors and gases, and cooling of the hot pyrolyzed solids in the presence of the inert gas. Additives may be introduced during processing or combined with the reagent, or both. The biogenic reagent may include at least 70 wt %, 80 wt %, 90 wt %, 95 wt %, or more total carbon on a dry basis. The biogenic reagent may have an energy content of at least 12,000 Btu/lb, 13,000 Btu/lb, 14,000 Btu/lb, or 14,500 Btu/lb on a dry basis. The biogenic reagent may be formed into fine powders, or structural objects. The structural objects may have a structure and/or strength that derive from the feedstock, heat rate, and additives.

Abstract: Provided are biogenic porous carbon silicon dioxide compositions, as well as related compositions, and methods of making and using such compositions. Exemplary biogenic porous carbon silicon dioxide compositions include a high-carbon biogenic reagent composition that contains at least about 50 wt % total carbon, at most about 5 wt % hydrogen, at most about 1 wt % nitrogen, at most about 0.5 wt % phosphorus, at most about 0.2 wt % sulfur, at most about 0.02 wt % titanium, at most about 0.5% calcium, at most about 0.1% aluminum, and silicon dioxide. The total carbon can be biogenic carbon, and the silicon dioxide can be contained within river rock or silica fume. Also provided are processes for producing such compositions, where the processes can include: preheating a renewable feedstock, pyrolyzing the renewable feedstock, separating certain pyrolysis products, cooling solid pyrolysis products, and introducing silicon dioxide at a certain point in process.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a halogenated activated carbon composition comprising carbon, a halogenated compound and a salt. In some embodiments, the halogenated compound and the salt comprise a naturally occurring salt mixture, as may be obtained from ocean water, salt lake water, rock salt, salt brine wells, for example. In some embodiments, the naturally occurring salt mixture comprises Dead Sea salt.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a halogenated activated carbon composition comprising carbon, a halogenated compound and a salt. In some embodiments, the halogenated compound and the salt comprise a naturally occurring salt mixture, as may be obtained from ocean water, salt lake water, rock salt, salt brine wells, for example. In some embodiments, the naturally occurring salt mixture comprises Dead Sea salt.

Abstract: In some variations, the disclosure provides a renewable biocarbon composition comprising from 50 wt % to 99 wt % total carbon, wherein the biocarbon composition is characterized by a base-acid ratio selected from 0.1 to 10, an iron-calcium ratio selected from 0.05 to 5, iron-plus-calcium parameter selected from 5 to 50 wt %, a slagging factor selected from 0.001 to 1, and/or a fouling factor or modified fouling factor selected from 0.1 to 10. Some variations provide a process comprising: providing a biomass feedstock; pyrolyzing the biomass feedstock to generate an intermediate biocarbon stream; washing or treating the intermediate biocarbon stream with an acid, a base, a salt, a metal, H2, H2O, CO, CO2, or a combination thereof, and/or introducing an additive in the process, to adjust a base-acid ratio or other compositional parameter; and recovering a biocarbon composition comprising from 50 wt % to 99 wt % total carbon and optimized for a compositional parameter.

Abstract: Biogenic activated carbon compositions disclosed herein comprise at least 55 wt % carbon, some of which may be present as graphene, and have high surface areas, such as Iodine Numbers of greater than 2000. Some embodiments provide biogenic activated carbon that is responsive to a magnetic field. A continuous process for producing biogenic activated carbon comprises countercurrently contacting, by mechanical means, a feedstock with a vapor stream comprising an activation agent including water and/or carbon dioxide; removing vapor from the reaction zone; recycling at least some of the separated vapor stream, or a thermally treated form thereof, to an inlet of the reaction zone(s) and/or to the feedstock; and recovering solids from the reaction zone(s) as biogenic activated carbon. Methods of using the biogenic activated carbon are disclosed.

Abstract: This invention provides processes and systems for converting biomass into high carbon biogenic reagents that are suitable for a variety of commercial applications. Some embodiments employ pyrolysis in the presence of an inert gas to generate hot pyrolyzed solids, condensable vapors, and non-condensable gases, followed by separation of vapors and gases, and cooling of the hot pyrolyzed solids in the presence of the inert gas. Additives may be introduced during processing or combined with the reagent, or both. The biogenic reagent may include at least 70 wt %, 80 wt %, 90 wt %, 95 wt %, or more total carbon on a dry basis. The biogenic reagent may have an energy content of at least 12,000 Btu/lb, 13,000 Btu/lb, 14,000 Btu/lb, or 14,500 Btu/lb on a dry basis. The biogenic reagent may be formed into fine powders, or structural objects.

Abstract: In some variations, the disclosure provides a renewable biocarbon composition comprising from 50 wt % to 99 wt % total carbon, wherein the biocarbon composition is characterized by a base-acid ratio selected from 0.1 to 10, an iron-calcium ratio selected from 0.05 to 5, iron-plus-calcium parameter selected from 5 to 50 wt %, a slagging factor selected from 0.001 to 1, and/or a fouling factor or modified fouling factor selected from 0.1 to 10. Some variations provide a process comprising: providing a biomass feedstock; pyrolyzing the biomass feedstock to generate an intermediate biocarbon stream; washing or treating the intermediate biocarbon stream with an acid, a base, a salt, a metal, H2, H2O, CO, CO2, or a combination thereof, and/or introducing an additive in the process, to adjust a base-acid ratio or other compositional parameter; and recovering a biocarbon composition comprising from 50 wt % to 99 wt % total carbon and optimized for a compositional parameter.

Abstract: This invention provides processes and systems for converting biomass into high-carbon biogenic reagents that are suitable for a variety of commercial applications. Some embodiments employ pyrolysis in the presence of an inert gas to generate hot pyrolyzed solids, condensable vapors, and non-condensable gases, followed by separation of vapors and gases, and cooling of the hot pyrolyzed solids in the presence of the inert gas. Additives may be introduced during processing or combined with the reagent, or both. The biogenic reagent may include at least 70 wt %, 80 wt %, 90 wt %, 95 wt %, or more total carbon on a dry basis. The biogenic reagent may have an energy content of at least 12,000 Btu/lb, 13,000 Btu/lb, 14,000 Btu/lb, or 14,500 Btu/lb on a dry basis. The biogenic reagent may be formed into fine powders, or structural objects. The structural objects may have a structure and/or strength that derive from the feedstock, heat rate, and additives.

Abstract: Some variations provide a carbon-negative carbon product that is characterized by a carbon intensity less than 0 kg CO2e per metric ton of the carbon-negative carbon product, wherein the carbon-negative carbon product contains at least about 50 wt % carbon. In some embodiments, the carbon intensity is less than ?500 kg CO2e per metric ton of the carbon-negative carbon product. Other variations provide a carbon-negative metal product (e.g., a steel product) that is characterized by a carbon intensity less than 0 kg CO2e per metric ton of the carbon-negative metal product, wherein the metal product contains from 50 wt % to 100 wt % of one or more metals and optionally one or more alloying elements. In some embodiments, the carbon-negative metal product is characterized by a carbon intensity less than ?200 kg CO2e per metric ton of the carbon-negative metal product. The carbon-negative metal product can contain a wide variety of metals.

Abstract: This invention provides processes and systems for converting biomass into high-carbon biogenic reagents that are suitable for a variety of commercial applications. Some embodiments employ pyrolysis in the presence of an inert gas to generate hot pyrolyzed solids, condensable vapors, and non-condensable gases, followed by separation of vapors and gases, and cooling of the hot pyrolyzed solids in the presence of the inert gas. Additives may be introduced during processing or combined with the reagent, or both. The biogenic reagent may include at least 70 wt %, 80 wt %, 90 wt %, 95 wt %, or more total carbon on a dry basis. The biogenic reagent may have an energy content of at least 12,000 Btu/lb, 13,000 Btu/lb, 14,000 Btu/lb, or 14,500 Btu/lb on a dry basis. The biogenic reagent may be formed into fine powders, or structural objects. The structural objects may have a structure and/or strength that derive from the feedstock, heat rate, and additives.

Abstract: This invention provides processes and systems for converting biomass into high-carbon biogenic reagents that are suitable for a variety of commercial applications. Some embodiments employ pyrolysis in the presence of an inert gas to generate hot pyrolyzed solids, condensable vapors, and non-condensable gases, followed by separation of vapors and gases, and cooling of the hot pyrolyzed solids in the presence of the inert gas. Additives may be introduced during processing or combined with the reagent, or both. The biogenic reagent may include at least 70 wt %, 80 wt %, 90 wt %, 95 wt %, or more total carbon on a dry basis. The biogenic reagent may have an energy content of at least 12,000 Btu/lb, 13,000 Btu/lb, 14,000 Btu/lb, or 14,500 Btu/lb on a dry basis. The biogenic reagent may be formed into fine powders, or structural objects. The structural objects may have a structure and/or strength that derive from the feedstock, heat rate, and additives.

Abstract: Some variations provide a biomedia composition comprising: from 50 wt % to 75 wt % total carbon, on a dry basis, according to ASTM D5373, wherein the total carbon is renewable according to ASTM D6866 (14C/12C isotopic ratio); from 20 wt % to 40 wt % oxygen, on a dry basis, according ASTM D5373; from 3 wt % to 10 wt % hydrogen, on a dry basis, according to ASTM D5373; and from 0.1 wt % to 2 wt % nitrogen, on a dry basis, according to ASTM D5373, wherein the biomedia composition is characterized by volatile-matter content from 50 wt % to 75 wt %, according to ASTM D3175; wherein the biomedia composition is characterized by ash content from 1 wt % to 25 wt %, according to ASTM D3174; and wherein the biomedia composition is characterized by moisture content from 0 to 75 wt %, according to ASTM D3173. Processes are also described to make and use the biomedia compositions.

Abstract: The disclosed technology provides processes for producing hydrogen that is renewable, has negative carbon intensity, and is associated with net water production. The hydrogen is economically, environmentally, and socially superior to conventional hydrogen via steam reforming of natural gas or electrolysis of water. Some variations provide a process for manufacturing carbon-negative hydrogen and optionally activated carbon, comprising: feeding biomass into a first heated vessel or zone to generate dried biomass and a first recovered water stream; feeding the dried biomass into a second heated vessel or zone to pyrolyze the dried biomass, generating a biocatalyst and a biogas; feeding the biocatalyst, the first recovered water stream, and biogas to a third heated vessel or zone for biocatalytic conversion, thereby generating H2, CO, and optionally activated carbon; and recovering the hydrogen. The H2 is carbon-negative hydrogen characterized by a carbon intensity less than 0 kg CO2e per metric ton H2.

Abstract: The disclosed technology provides processes for producing hydrogen that is renewable, has negative carbon intensity, and is associated with net water production. The hydrogen is economically, environmentally, and socially superior to conventional hydrogen via steam reforming of natural gas or electrolysis of water. Some variations provide a process for manufacturing carbon-negative hydrogen and optionally activated carbon, comprising: feeding biomass into a first heated vessel or zone to generate dried biomass and a first recovered water stream; feeding the dried biomass into a second heated vessel or zone to pyrolyze the dried biomass, generating a biocatalyst and a biogas; feeding the biocatalyst, the first recovered water stream, and biogas to a third heated vessel or zone for biocatalytic conversion, thereby generating H2, CO, and optionally activated carbon; and recovering the hydrogen. The H2 is carbon-negative hydrogen characterized by a carbon intensity less than 0 kg CO2e per metric ton H2.

Abstract: Some variations provide a biomedia composition comprising: from 50 wt % to 75 wt % total carbon, on a dry basis, according to ASTM D5373, wherein the total carbon is renewable according to ASTM D6866 (14C/12C isotopic ratio); from 20 wt % to 40 wt % oxygen, on a dry basis, according ASTM D5373; from 3 wt % to 10 wt % hydrogen, on a dry basis, according to ASTM D5373; and from 0.1 wt % to 2 wt % nitrogen, on a dry basis, according to ASTM D5373, wherein the biomedia composition is characterized by volatile-matter content from 50 wt % to 75 wt %, according to ASTM D3175; wherein the biomedia composition is characterized by ash content from 1 wt % to 25 wt %, according to ASTM D3174; and wherein the biomedia composition is characterized by moisture content from 0 to 75 wt %, according to ASTM D3173. Processes are also described to make and use the biomedia compositions.

Abstract: Some variations provide a process for producing biocarbon pellets, comprising: pyrolyzing a biomass-containing feedstock in a first pyrolysis reactor to generate a first biogenic reagent and a pyrolysis vapor; introducing the pyrolysis vapor to a separation unit, to generate a pyrolysis precipitate in liquid or solid form; contacting the first biogenic reagent with the pyrolysis precipitate, thereby generating an intermediate material; pelletizing the intermediate material, to generate intermediate pellets; optionally, drying the intermediate pellets; separately pyrolyzing the intermediate pellets in a second pyrolysis reactor to generate a second biogenic reagent and a pyrolysis off-gas; and recovering the second biogenic reagent as biocarbon pellets. Some variations provide a similar process that utilizes a carbon-containing condensed-matter material, which is not necessarily a pyrolysis precipitate.