Abstract: A waste stream of organic matter such as sewage, plant and plastic matter is received for recycling and treated with high temperature and pressure to generate useful organic products such as bio-oil and gas. Byproducts such as char and an aqueous phase including water can be selectively recycled or beingly discarded. An oxidant added to a reactor containing waste from the waste stream facilitates an autothermal reaction under the temperature and pressure applied to the reactor, boosting the temperature slightly from the reactions therein. The reactor generates useful hydrocarbons such as bio-oil resulting from disruption of organic bonds. A combination of oxidation and radical initiation results from the oxidant, and provides an increased yield of bio-oil while decreasing char when compared to temperature and pressure alone. A stoichiometric quantity of the oxidant limits complete conversion of carbon into carbon dioxide by limiting available oxygen and therefore favoring hydrocarbon formation.

Abstract: A waste stream of organic matter such as sewage, plant and plastic matter is received for recycling and treated with high temperature and pressure to generate useful organic products such as bio-oil and gas. Byproducts such as char and an aqueous phase including water can be selectively recycled or beingly discarded. An oxidant added to a reactor containing waste from the waste stream facilitates an autothermal reaction under the temperature and pressure applied to the reactor, boosting the temperature slightly from the reactions therein. The reactor generates useful hydrocarbons such as bio-oil resulting from disruption of organic bonds. A combination of oxidation and radical initiation results from the oxidant, and provides an increased yield of bio-oil while decreasing char when compared to temperature and pressure alone. A stoichiometric quantity of the oxidant limits complete conversion of carbon into carbon dioxide by limiting available oxygen and therefore favoring hydrocarbon formation.

Abstract: Methods for obtaining a biocrude intermediate by hydrothermal liquefaction of plant wastes are provided. Using a waste feed having a high cellulose content, the method involves grinding the waste feed to obtain a pulverized waste feed, and subjecting the pulverized waste feed to hydrothermal liquefaction at a temperature at or greater than at about 250° C. At this temperature or greater a catalyst is not necessary to obtain the biocrude. A lower temperature can be used, such as greater than about 150° C. in presence of a catalyst. The step of grinding the plant material, for example ball grinding, reduces particle size and crystallinity, and combined with the high temperature treatment improves the yield of biocrude. Biocrude can be upgraded to biofuel by high temperature hydrodeoxygenating in the presence of hydrogen. Plant wastes that would otherwise contribute green house gases are instead converted to fuels.