Abstract: A rapid thermal conversion process for efficiently converting wood, other biomass materials, and other carbonaceous feedstock (including hydrocarbons) into high yields of valuable liquid product, e.g., bio-oil, on a large scale production. Biomass material, e.g., wood, is feed to a conversion system where the biomass material is mixed with an upward stream of hot heat carriers, e.g., sand, that thermally convert the biomass into a hot vapor stream. The hot vapor stream is rapidly quenched with quench media in one or more condensing chambers located downstream of the conversion system. The rapid quenching condenses the vapor stream into liquid product, which is collected from the condensing chambers as a valuable liquid product. The liquid product may itself be used as the quench media.

Abstract: A process for producing olefins from a feedstock comprising a petroleum and non-petroleum fraction has been developed. The process comprises first pretreating the feedstock to remove contaminants such as alkali metals and then cracking the purified feedstock in a fluidized catalytic cracking (FCC) zone operated at conditions to provide C2-C5 olefins. Alternatively, the non-petroleum fraction can first be treated and then mixed with petroleum fraction to provide the feedstock which is then catalytically cracked.

Abstract: A method for producing a water-insoluble liquefied fuel oil containing a hydrocarbon from biomass is provided, comprising converting an oxygen-containing compound in a liquefied fuel oil obtained after liquefaction to a hydrocarbon and converting a water-soluble organic substance contained in an aqueous phase to a hydrocarbon, thereby improving the yield of the water-insoluble liquefied fuel oil.

Abstract: An integrated method for production of liquid transportation fuels, fuel additives, or chemicals in a biorefinery by the conversion of cellulosic materials is disclosed herein. The method is based on converting a source of C6 sugar such as cellulosic materials and sugars into a mixture of hydrotreated compounds. The biorefinery operates in a unique parallel-processing mode, wherein the initial biomass feedstocks are disassembled to provide substrates for parallel branches whose products may be reassembled in either a condensation step or a mixed hydrotreating step or a final fuel-blending step. The cellulosic materials can be converted to levulinate intermediates that condense with intermediates derived from other processes to produce fuels with the appropriate range of sizes in the target molecular composition, thus generating desirable combustion and physical properties. This method also makes use of methyltetrahydrofuran and other low carbon by-products that are separated for use as amphiphilic solvents.

Abstract: A process for the direct conversion of lipid biomass fuel stock to combustible fuels include the steps of hydrolyzing a lipid biomass to form free fatty acids, catalytically deoxygenating the free fatty acids to from n-alkanes, and reforming at least a portion of the n-alkanes into a mixture of compounds having the correct chain length, conformations and ratio to be useful as transportation fuels. The process exhibits an overall energy efficiency of at least about 75%, wherein energy efficiency is calculated as the lower heating value of the produced transportation fuel over the sum of the lower heating value of the process reactants and the total energy input into the process.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and process for treating a raw material to reduce the level of a contaminant in the raw material or to form a raw product that can be used to produce a fuel. The system and process include means for pressurising a pumpable feedstock comprising the raw material to a pressure of between 100 and 350 bar, preferably using indirect pressurising means; heating the feedstock to a temperature of between 250° C. and 400° C. within a processing vessel to form a pressurised raw product stream; cooling the raw product stream within the processing vessel to an ambient or near ambient temperature; then depressurising the raw product stream before discharging the raw product from the system.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for thermal processing of slurry, the slurry is combined with a bio-mass to produce a mixture which is then subjected to a cracking temperature in a receiving tank, thereby liquefying and allowing the mixture to catalytically undergo a cracking reaction. The cracking reaction which the liquefied mixture undergoes is continued in a mixer pump to thereby produce a reaction mixture. The reaction mixture is outgased in an intermediate tank to separate an outgased fraction from a non-outgased fraction. Subsequently, the outgased fraction is allowed to cool down, thereby producing fuel, while the non-outgased fraction is returned to the receiving tank and subjected again to the cracking temperature. Residual matter of the non-outgased fraction settles in the intermediate tank and is periodically removed.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for unpressurized catalytic conversion of organic solids into oil, with the steps of conditioning the starting material, cracking in an oil reactor with simultaneous distilled separation of the desired hydrocarbon section, and discharging the solids obtained in the reaction, wherein conditioning of the floatable solid starting materials takes place in a micro vortex mill in an air carrier flow, and the resulting material particles are converted in the oil reactor, either directly or after temporary storage, with a dry content of ?90% and a grain size of ?100 ?m, in particular ?63 ?m. Conditioning according to the invention can be used for all types of floatable organic solids and their mixtures. After processing in the micro vortex mill, the products supplied to the oil reactor produce high product yields with shorter reaction times, thereby substantially improving the economic benefits of the process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the generation of electrical energy and byproducts from the gasification of biomass and/or environmental waste materials. Environmental waste and/or renewable biomass is processed by three separate stages of gasification. The first stage is a pyrolysis chamber with firebox which gasifies solid material into gaseous and liquid hydrocarbon compounds at temperatures below 800 F. The second stage is a fixed bed chamber gasifier which produces the acetylene and hydrogen gases at approximately 1400 F. The third stage is a high temperature reactor which produces molten calcium carbide at 3500 F. Various solid, liquid, and gaseous byproducts are produced along the way. The second stage gases include carbon monoxide, methane, hydrogen, acetylene and other biogases which are used to generate electricity in an internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A system for treating a feedstock for the purposes of waste destruction, energy generation, or the production of useful chemicals is disclosed and includes a reactor vessel. A heating lance is configured to outflow the products of a partial oxidation reaction into a reaction chamber in the vessel. The hot reaction products heat and pyrolyze the feedstock in the chamber generating a process effluent which typically includes gases (e.g. syn-gas) and carbon solids. Glasses and metals in the feedstock accumulate in the chamber in a molten state. The molten materials store thermal energy and provide thermal stability to the treatment system. A recycle loop uses carbon solids from the process effluent as an input to the lance for reaction with an oxidant therein.

Abstract: A process for the production of hydrocarbon-containing oils, in which a starting material containing a sugar and/or a sugar derivative is thermally cleaved, including a reaction step in which the starting material is brought into contact with a contact oil which has an initial boiling point of at least about 200° C. at a pressure of about 1013 mbar with formation of a reaction phase at a reaction temperature in the range of from about 200 to about 600° C. and a pressure in the range of from about 0.1 to about 50 bar. The process also includes a processing step in which the reaction phase is separated into a low-boiling fraction and a high-boiling fraction. At least a portion of the high-boiling fraction is recirculated into the reaction step as contact oil. The invention also relates to a system for this process which is equipped with an oilification module.

Abstract: The present invention addresses the processing of waste and low-value products that contain bone material to produce useful materials in reliable purities and compositions, at acceptable cost, and with high energy efficiency. In particular, the invention comprises a process that converts various feedstocks such as offal, animal manures, and municipal sewage sludge, to useful materials including gas, oil, specialty chemicals, and carbon solids. The process heats the feedstock in order to breakdown proteins and separate organic material from bone material, applies further heat and pressure to the resulting liquid mixture, separates out various components, then further applies heat and pressure to one or more of those components. The invention further comprises an apparatus for performing a process of converting waste products into useful materials, and an oil product that arises from the process.

Abstract: A method for hydroconversion of a combined feed of at least one low value petroleum derived hydrocarbon and at least one biorenewable feedstock in a hydroconversion reaction zone in the presence of a hydroconversion catalyst at hydroconversion reaction conditions for a period of time sufficient to form a hydroconversion reaction product.

Abstract: Nitrogen is fed into a sealed container (18) to expel oxygen (step 1) and, in such a state, the inside temperature of the container (18) is incrementally raised step by a heater built into the container (18). In sequential steps 2 through 5, Water content, chlorine, and high-molecular gases are extracted. Reusable carbon and metal remain in the container (18) in step 6, or when left standing for a prescribed time or more. Gases extracted in steps 2 to 5 can be liquefied for recycling. No carbon dioxide or dioxins are produced because heating is performed in an oxygen-free atmosphere. A furnace is not required because the heater is installed in the container (18), and treatment efficiency is high. A space-saving, energy-efficient, and low-cost treatment system, by which carbon (e.g., inert carbon), metals, and the like can be recovered in a reusable state without producing carbon dioxide or dioxins, is obtained.

Abstract: A process for the conversion of biomass to a liquid fuel is presented. The process includes the production of diesel and naphtha boiling point range fuels by hydrocracking of pyrolysis lignin extracted from biomass.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment of the present invention, a method for producing liquid hydrocarbons from biomass is provided. The method comprises pyrolizing the biomass with hydrogen (H2) to form bio-oil. The bio-oil comprises alkanes, alkenes, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, aromatics, hydrocarbons or mixtures thereof. The H2 is formed from a carbon-free energy source.

Abstract: Production of diesel oil from hydrocarbon-containing residues in an oil circuit with solids separation and product distillation for the diesel product with energy input by means of pumps and counterrotating agitators and by the use of fully crystallized catalysts of potassium, sodium, calcium, and magnesium-aluminum silicates, where all surfaces are cleaned continuously by the agitator mechanisms.

Abstract: A recycling system for a waste converting apparatus collects residues from a post-processing means and re-introduces the residues into the apparatus such that the residues are exposed to the high temperature zone thereof.

Abstract: This method of upgrading a biomass comprises: an upgrading step for performing upgrading treatment of a cellulose based biomass with an oxygen/carbon atomic ratio of at least 0.5, in presence of water and under a pressure of at least saturated water vapor pressure, and reducing said oxygen/carbon atomic ratio of said biomass to no more than 0.38, and a separation step for separating an upgraded reactant obtained from said upgrading step into a solid component and a liquid component.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method of utilizing a catalytic reaction to recycle organic scrap, wherein via a special cracking equipment, a special catalyst and a two-stage cracking process, the present invention not only can effectively convert organic scrap into regenerated oil but also can promote the yield and quality of the regenerated oil; further, the method of the present invention can overcome environmental problems and has the characteristics of high safety, high stability, and high economic efficiency.

Abstract: An environmentally-friendly method is disclosed for transforming preserved wood, for example creosote-treated or CCA-treated wood with supercritical water. The product of treating weathered creosote-treated wood is a mixture that is similar to fresh creosote. The novel system is akin to a closed-loop system for recovering and rejuvenating creosote. In another aspect of the invention, acidic supercritical water is used to extract copper, chromium, and arsenic from CCA-treated wood, or more generally, to extract metals from an organic matrix.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a continuous process for pretreating a lignocellulosic feedstock. A feedstock slurry is provided, which has a solids concentration of 10% to 33% by weight. The feedstock slurry is pumped through a heating train of at least two stages, each stage including a pump to increase stage pressure and a direct steam injection to heat the feedstock slurry. Acid is also added to the feedstock slurry prior to the heating train, during a heating stage, or after leaving the heating train; the acid is added at a concentration of 0% to 12% weight of acid on weight of initial feedstock. A heated, acidified feedstock slurry is thus produced. The heated, acidified feedstock slurry is flowed through a pre-treatment reactor at a temperature of 160° C. to 280° C. for a time sufficient to increase efficiency of conversion of cellulose in the feedstock to glucose using cellulase enzymes.

Abstract: A process for producing olefins from biorenewable feedstocks has been developed. The process comprises first pretreating the feedstock, e.g. vegetable oil, to remove contaminants such as alkali metals and then cracking the purified feedstock in a fluidized catalytic cracking (FCC) zone operated at conditions to provide C2-C5 olefins.

Abstract: A process for continuously producing a pulp biomass, comprising subjecting a biomass containing feed to a treatment which comprises bringing the feed to a pressure of 100-250 bar, keeping the pressurized feed subsequently or concomitantly at a temperature not exceeding 280 degrees C. over a period of up to 60 minutes, thereby obtaining a pulp and optionally subjecting the pulp to a reaction step in which the pulp is heated over a. period of up to 60 minutes to a temperature exceeding 280 degrees C. resulting in the continuous production of a hydrocarbon product having a greater energy density than biomass.

Abstract: A process for the pyrolysis of carbonaceous material is carried out in a cyclone reactor which is fitted with enhanced filtering equipment. In addition the invention relates to the use of a cyclone fitted with a rotating filter as a pyrolysis reactor. By using a cyclone of the rotating separator type as a pyrolysis reactor, carbonaceous material, such as biomass, can effectively be converted in a product having excellent chemical properties and which product is free from particulate matter.

Abstract: Wastewater, particularly black water and/or gray water, is used, for example in an aircraft, for processing fuels used in a high temperature fuel cell. For this purpose a liquid hydrocarbon fuel is used for producing an emulsion for use as fuel in the high temperature fuel cell. The liquid hydrocarbon fuel is preferably kerosene. The liquid hydrocarbon fuel is first emulsified with the wastewater which is first passed through a treatment such as filtering, reverse osmosis, or any other cleaning treatment that makes the wastewater suitable for emulsifying the liquid hydrocarbon fuel. The emulsion is then supplied as fuel to the high temperature fuel cell. Thus, smaller and hence lighter storage facilities for the wastewater can be used.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a technology to establish a new cycle-based organic chemical industry, which may be called a polymer cascade (polymer reflux industry) wherein the polymer substances shall not remain the final products, but still give birth to synthetic materials as raw materials for chemical industry and produce useful organic compounds.

Abstract: A method for processing organic material including heating the organic material to a temperature exceeding 100° C. in an atmosphere including at least one of superheated steam, a hot inert gas, hot air and hot process gases, and subsequently cooling the heated organic material in an atmosphere including at least one of superheated steam and an inert gas. Also described are processing apparatus for use in performing the method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for isolating of phenolic substances or juvabiones from wood comprising knotwood, said method comprising the steps of

Abstract: An environmentally-friendly method is disclosed for transforming preserved wood, for example creosote-treated or CCA-treated wood with supercritical water. The product of treating weathered creosote-treated wood is a mixture that is similar to fresh creosote. The novel system is akin to a closed-loop system for recovering and rejuvenating creosote. In another aspect of the invention, acidic supercritical water is used to extract copper, chromium, and arsenic from CCA-treated wood, or more generally, to extract metals from an organic matrix.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the production of charcoal. More particularly, the invention is a process which maximizes the production of charcoal. Of secondary consequence is the production of fuel gasses.

Abstract: Process for continuously producing a pulp biomass, comprising subjecting a biomass containing feed to a treatment which comprises bringing the feed to a pressure of 100-250 bar, keeping the pressurised feed subsequently or concomitantly at a temperature not exceeding 280° C. over a period of up to 60 minutes, thereby obtaining a pulp and optionally subjecting the pulp to a reaction step in which the pulp is heated over a period of up to 60 minutes to a temperature exceeding 280° C. resulting in the continuous production of a hydrocarbon product having an enhanced energy density from biomass.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for producing synthetic crude petroleum from carbon compounds-organic wastes in virtue of hydrogenation using two natural catalysts instead of one or many costly industrial catalysts. The process recreates in industry natural conditions of petroleum formation as they existed millions of years ago. Using two natural catalysts, conversion of heterogeneous organic wastes is now not only possible but also profitable because production efficiency of synthetic crude is improved by more than 50%. While recycling unwanted heterogeneous organic wastes, the process has the advantage of producing a valuable product. Doing so, petrolisation is a permanent solution to organic waste problems and a permanent source of valuable crude.

Abstract: Presented is a method and apparatus for converting both organic and inorganic materials into more desirable products by the expedient of breaking down these materials into their stable molecular constituents and reforming them into more desirable substances. The process involves the use of two chambers. Blended solid and fluid wastes are augered into the first chamber and agitated, preferably by rotating the chamber so that the waste tumbles over internal fins, while a heat gradient is applied. Carbon and inorganic solid wastes are removed from the system and fluid wastes passed to a second chamber where they are again subjected to a heat gradient. Effluents are recovered and condensed. Electromagnetic radiation, preferably from microwaves, and/or lasers, masers or ultrasonic energy is applied to the wastes in both chambers. Liberal use of catalysts is made in the chambers.

Abstract: A novel method of separating hydrocarbon and/or polymer from waste and natural materials is described herein. The method first involves removing the moisture from the material containing hydrocarbon and/or polymer, then reacting the material with a catalyst in order to separate the hydrocarbon and/or polymer from the material. The drying and catalytic reaction steps preferably take place under a slightly negative pressure and substantially in the absence of oxygen. The hydrocarbon/polymer is then recovered in the form of a vapor or gas. The material, substantially free of hydrocarbons and polymers may be further processed, recycled, or safely disposed of.

Abstract: A process to produce a flowable fuel or fuel supplement from solid and/or liquid waste, such as municipal waste, industrial wastes or mixtures thereof and the system to carry out the process in which a feed of solid and liquid municipal waste, industrial wastes or mixtures thereof to a treatment zone under conditions of temperature to produce a solid char and vaporize liquids, recombining the char and the liquids, recovered from the wastes feed, to form a feed slurry containing solids, combining the feed slurry with additional combustible waste liquids which are added at a rate and amount to obtain a fuel slurry of specified properties, particularly specified viscosity and BTU content, subjecting the feed slurry and additional wastes to conditions of attrition in at least one attrition zone to produce a product slurry containing solids of fuel size, recovering the fuel slurry which be used as fuel in partial oxidation processes.

Abstract: A process for the thermocatalytic conversion of waste organic materials (e.g., waste tires) into reusable hydrocarbons is provided. The process entails providing the feedstock and catalyst comprising AlCl3 to a heated, stirred reactor. An overhead portion of vaporized hydrocarbons as well as vaporized AlCl3 is initially removed from the reactor via a discharge port. The composition of the removed hydrocarbons will vary depending on which of three modes the process is run: low reactor pressure, partial vacuum, and high pressures. Vaporized AlCl3 and a certain fraction of the hydrocarbons are subsequently removed via condensation and returned to the reactor. The composition of the condensed hydrocarbon fraction is controlled based on vapor pressure. The remaining vaporized hydrocarbon is recovered for subsequent uses. A reactor discharge portion is also removed from the reactor. This portion may contain unreacted feedstock and catalyst.

Abstract: Presented is a method and apparatus for converting both organic and inorganic materials into more desirable products by the expedient of breaking down these materials into their stable molecular constituents and reforming them into more desirable substances. The process involves the use of two chambers. Blended solid and fluid wastes are augered into the first chamber and agitated, preferably by rotating the chamber so that the waste tumbles over internal fins, while a heat gradient is applied. Carbon and inorganic solid wastes are removed from the system and fluid wastes passed to a second chamber where they are again subjected to a heat gradient. Effluents are recovered and condensed. Electromagnetic radiation, preferably from microwaves, and/or lasers, masers or ultrasonic energy is applied to the wastes in both chambers. Liberal use of catalysts is made in the chambers.

Abstract: A continuous process for the conversion of biomass to form a chemical feedstock is described. The biomass and an exogenous metal oxide, preferably calcium oxide, or metal oxide precursor are continuously fed into a reaction chamber that is operated at a temperature of at least 1400° C. to form reaction products including metal carbide. The metal oxide or metal oxide precursor is capable of forming a hydrolizable metal carbide. The reaction products are quenched to a temperature of 800° C. or less. The resulting metal carbide is separated from the reaction products or, alternatively, when quenched with water, hydolyzed to provide a recoverable hydrocarbon gas feedstock.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon liquid feedstock containing at least 50 wt. % chemically digested organic-MSW material is catalytically hydroconverted utilizing either a single stage or two-stage catalytic reaction process to produce desirable lower-boiling hydrocarbon liquid products. The catalyst can be either a particulate supported type catalyst such as containing cobalt and/or molybdenum and/or nickel on alumina support, or a dispersed slurry type catalyst containing mainly iron oxide with anions of molybdate, phosphate, sulfate or tungstate, and combinations thereof. Broad useful reaction conditions are 600-860° F. (315-460° C.) temperature, 1000-3000 psi hydrogen partial pressure, and fresh feed rate of 20-60 pounds/hr/ft3 reactor volume. Effluent material from the final stage catalytic reactor is phase separated and the resulting liquid portion is fractionated to produce the desired low-boiling hydrocarbon liquid products particularly useful as transportation fuels.

Abstract: A process for producing a brightness stabilization mixture of water-soluble organic compounds from biomass pyrolysis oils comprising: a) size-reducing biomass material and pyrolyzing the size-reduced biomass material in a fluidized bed reactor; b) separating a char/ash component while maintaining char-pot temperatures to avoid condensation of pyrolysis vapors; c) condensing pyrolysis gases and vapors, and recovering pyrolysis oils by mixing the oils with acetone to obtain an oil-acetone mixture; d) evaporating acetone and recovering pyrolysis oils; e) extracting the pyrolysis oils with water to obtain a water extract; f) slurrying the water extract with carbon while stirring, and filtering the slurry to obtain a colorless filtrate; g) cooling the solution and stabilizing the solution against thermally-induced gelling and solidification by extraction with ethyl acetate to form an aqueous phase lower layer and an organic phase upper layer; h) discarding the upper organic layer and extracting the aqueous

Abstract: Reacting organic compounds with near-critical or supercritical aqueous phases can dramatically transform the organic compounds over short time periods (on the order of minutes to hours). The reductive process is conducted in anaerobic or near-anaerobic conditions. The process works with a wide range of organic compounds and biomass sources, including cellulose, chitin, starches, lipids, proteins, lignin, and whole cells. Disposal of waste biomass is currently expensive, and can create environmental problems. The present invention allows the conversion of waste lipids (for example) into a hydrocarbon mixture similar to a sweet crude petroleum, along with volatile alkane and alkene gases (C2 to C5). This conversion allows the generation of a burnable fuel, as well as the generation of feed streams for reforming and distillation. The environmental and other costs associated with fossil fuel extraction are reduced.

Abstract: A high-yield process for converting lignin into reformulated, partially oxygenated gasoline compositions of high quality is provided. The process is a two-stage catalytic reaction process that produces a reformulated, partially oxygenated gasoline product with a controlled amount of aromatics. In the first stage of the process, a lignin feed material is subjected to a base-catalyzed depolymerization reaction, followed by a selective hydrocracking reaction which utilizes a superacid catalyst to produce a high oxygen-content depolymerized lignin product mainly composed of alkylated phenols, alkylated alkoxyphenols, and alkylbenzenes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a continuous process for producing synthetic crude oil from oil bearing material, e.g., oil shale or tar sand, through continuous feeding and calcining, hydrocracking and hydrogenating kerogen or bitumen.

Abstract: The invention provides a process and apparatus for producing hydrocarbons from residential trash or waste and/or organic waste materials. In particular, the invention provides a process and apparatus for producing hydrocarbons from residential trash or waste and/or organic waste materials in virtue of pyrolysis and catalytic cracking.

Abstract: The invention provides a practical and efficient method and apparatus for thermally processing organic based raw materials of either primary or secondary (recycled) origin, in order to extract volatile organic vapors and to selectively produce either condensable hydrocarbon gases or, more preferably, non-condensable synthesis gases that are rich in hydrogen and carbon monoxide for use as a raw material in chemical processes, or as a fuel. In particular, the invention provides a single rotary reactor having two contiguous hearth reaction areas, i.e., a drying and volatizing area and a reformation area, the areas being separated from each other by a bed-retaining refractory weir. The weir has an aperture for fluidly connecting the two hearth reaction areas of the single reactor.

Abstract: A process of gasifying waste containing organic substances which may be combusted or gasified by means of partial oxidation in the presence of air or oxygen and steam. The gasification process includes the step of adjusting the molar ratio of steam/carbon (H.sub.2 O/C) for supplied steam and the organic substances containing carbon to a desired ratio. The process continues with partial oxidation at about 700.degree. C. to about 900.degree. C. and discontinuing the steam supply while continuing only air or oxygen supply to combust the remaining combustibles having carbon as their major component.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to a new method and apparatus for the fast pyrolysis of carbonaceous materials involving rapid mixing, high heat transfer rates, precisely controlled short uniform residence times and rapid primary product quench in an upflow, entrained-bed, transport reactor with heat carrier solids recirculation. A carbonaceous feedstock, a non-oxidative transport gas and inorganic particulate heat supplying material are rapidly mixed in a reactor base section, then transported upward through an entrained-bed tubular reactor. A cyclonic hot solids recirculation system separates the solids from the non-condensible gases and primary product vapors and returns them to the mixer. Product vapors are rapidly quenched to provide maximum yields of liquids, petrochemicals, high value gases and selected valuable chemicals.

Abstract: A process for converting lignin into high-quality reformulated hydrocarbon gasoline compositions in high yields is disclosed. The process is a two-stage, catalytic reaction process that produces a reformulated hydrocarbon gasoline product with a controlled amount of aromatics. In the first stage, a lignin material is subjected to a base-catalyzed depolymerization reaction in the presence of a supercritical alcohol as a reaction medium, to thereby produce a depolymerized lignin product. In the second stage, the depolymerized lignin product is subjected to a sequential two-step hydroprocessing reaction to produce a reformulated hydrocarbon gasoline product. In the first hydroprocessing step, the depolymerized lignin is contacted with a hydrodeoxygenation catalyst to produce a hydrodeoxygenated intermediate product.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to a new method and apparatus for the fast pyrolysis of carbonaceous materials involving rapid mixing, high heat transfer rates, precisely controlled short uniform residence times and rapid primary product quench in an upflow, entrained-bed, transport reactor with heat carrier solids recirculation. A carbonaceous feedstock, a non-oxidative transport gas and inorganic particulate heat supplying material are rapidly mixed in a reactor base section, then transported upward through an entrained-bed tubular reactor. A cyclonic hot solids recirculation system separates the solids from the non-condensible gases and primary product vapors and returns them to the mixer. Product vapors are rapidly quenched to provide maximum yields of liquids, petrochemicals, high value gases and selected valuable chemicals.