Abstract: A hydropyrolysis catalyst and a process using that catalyst are described. The catalyst comprises a support and an active metal component wherein the catalyst is an eggshell type catalyst having the active metal component located in the outer portion of the support.

Abstract: A hydropyrolysis catalyst and a process using that catalyst are described. The catalyst comprises a support and an active metal component wherein the catalyst is an eggshell type catalyst having the active metal component located in the outer portion of the support.

Abstract: A process for converting biomass to products is described. Biomasss is contacted with hydrogen in the presence of a fluidized bed of hydropyrolysis catalyst in a reactor vessel under hydropyrolysis conditions; and products and char are removed from the reactor vessel. The products leave the fluidized bed at an exit bed velocity, the char has a settling velocity that is less than the exit bed velocity and hydropyrolysis catalyst has a settling velocity that is greater than the exit bed velocity.

Abstract: A process for converting biomass to products is described. Biomass is contacted with hydrogen in the presence of a fluidized bed of hydropyrolysis catalyst in a reactor vessel under hydropyrolysis conditions; and products and char are removed from the reactor vessel. The products leave the fluidized bed at an exit bed velocity, the char has a settling velocity that is less than the exit bed velocity and hydropyrolysis catalyst has a settling velocity that is greater than the exit bed velocity.

Abstract: A process for converting biomass to products is described. Biomass is contacted with hydrogen in the presence of a fluidized bed of hydropyrolysis catalyst in a reactor vessel under hydropyrolysis conditions; and products and char are removed from the reactor vessel. The products leave the fluidized bed at an exit bed velocity, the char has a settling velocity that is less than the exit bed velocity and hydropyrolysis catalyst has a settling velocity that is greater than the exit bed velocity.

Abstract: A hydropyrolysis catalyst and a process using that catalyst are described. The catalyst comprises a support and an active metal component wherein the catalyst is an eggshell type catalyst having the active metal component located in the outer portion of the support.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling or eradicating nematodes or other soil-borne pests having a heated metal roller having surface-mounted blades to heat the soil to a desired temperature and depth sufficient to effect control of the relevant species in the soil under the roller. The roller is heated with one or more burners firing across the surface of the roller. The apparatus further includes a heat exchanger through which the combustion products generated by the burner or burners are exhausted and in which the combustion air is preheated. In accordance with one embodiment, the heat exchanger condenses water vapor in the combustion products which water vapor, together with any water that evaporates from the soil during heating, may be captured and returned to the soil.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling or eradicating nematodes or other soil-borne pests having a heated metal roller having surface-mounted blades to heat the soil to a desired temperature and depth sufficient to effect control of the relevant species in the soil under the roller. The roller is heated with one or more burners firing across the surface of the roller. The apparatus further includes a heat exchanger through which the combustion products generated by the burner or burners are exhausted and in which the combustion air is preheated. In accordance with one embodiment, the heat exchanger condenses water vapor in the combustion products which water vapor, together with any water that evaporates from the soil during heating, may be captured and returned to the soil.

Abstract: An apparatus for fast pyrolysis of biomass and other solid organic materials including a vertically oriented cylindrical vessel having a solids outlet proximate the bottom thereof, a vapor outlet, a top wall forming at least one opening, and an adjacent heated side wall. Disposed within the cylindrical vessel and extending through the at least one opening in the top wall is a rotor having a rotatable shaft coincident with the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical vessel to which is attached at least one substantially vertically oriented blade having one edge connected directly or indirectly with the rotatable shaft and having an opposite edge spaced apart from the heated side wall, whereby a non-radial, preferably tangential, force is imparted on the feedstock in the cylindrical vessel. Also disclosed is a method for fast pyrolysis of biomass and other solid organic materials.

Abstract: A single-ended, internally recuperated, radiant tube annulus system in which at least part of the heat recovery takes place within the furnace to which the system is attached and in which the oxidant and/or fuel are preheated not only by heat transfer from the exhaust gases, but also directly from the combustion process. The system includes a plurality of concentric radiant tubular members arranged in a manner providing an outer annular region in which the combustion process is carried out, an inner tubular member through which exhaust gases are exhausted from the system, and intermediate annular regions between the inner tubular member and the outer annular region through which preheated oxidant is provided to the outer annular region for the combustion process. In accordance with one embodiment of this invention, the internal recuperator is used as a fuel reformer.

Abstract: An apparatus for fast pyrolysis of biomass and other solid organic materials including a vertically oriented cylindrical vessel having a solids outlet proximate the bottom thereof, a vapor outlet, a top wall forming at least one opening, and an adjacent heated side wall. Disposed within the cylindrical vessel and extending through the at least one opening in the top wall is a rotor having a rotatable shaft coincident with the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical vessel to which is attached at least one substantially vertically oriented blade having one edge connected directly or indirectly with the rotatable shaft and having an opposite edge spaced apart from the heated side wall, whereby a non-radial, preferably tangential, force is imparted on the feedstock in the cylindrical vessel. Also disclosed is a method for fast pyrolysis of biomass and other solid organic materials.

Abstract: A single-ended, internally recuperated, radiant tube annulus system in which at least part of the heat recovery takes place within the furnace to which the system is attached and in which the oxidant and/or fuel are preheated not only by heat transfer from the exhaust gases, but also directly from the combustion process. The system includes a plurality of concentric radiant tubular members arranged in a manner providing an outer annular region in which the combustion process is carried out, an inner tubular member through which exhaust gases are exhausted from the system, and intermediate annular regions between the inner tubular member and the outer annular region through which preheated oxidant is provided to the outer annular region for the combustion process. In accordance with one embodiment of this invention, the internal recuperator is used as a fuel reformer.