The subject invention pertains to unique and advantageous systems for gasifying and/or liquefying biomass. The systems of the subject invention utilize a unique design whereby heat from a combustion chamber is used to directly gasify or liquefy biomass. In a preferred embodiment, the biomass is moved through a reactor tube in which all the gasification and/or liquefaction takes place. Preferably, char exits the biomass reactor tube and enters the combustion chamber where the char serves as fuel for combustion. The combustion chamber partially surrounds the reactor tube and is in direct thermal contact with the reactor tube such that heat from the combustion chamber passes through the reactor wall and directly heats the biomass within the reactor tube.

Process and device for pyrolysis of feedstock

This invention involves pyrolysis of feedstock by introducing carbonaceous feedstock, into a hopper and moving it into a reactor tube enclosed in an oven, generating heat within the oven that is in part transferred to the feedstock, heating it to sufficient temperature to pyrolyze the feedstock into useful volatiles and char A Venturi system produces a negative pressure directing volatiles into a pyro-gas oven producing heat necessary for pyrolysis and generating useful excess heat The extruded pyrolysis char has uses including charcoal fuel, soil amendments, and activated charcoal while liquids can be produced for processing into fuels Excess heat may be used to heat water, steam, and air, may be used in air heating and cooling systems, perform mechanical work with a Stirling engine or generate electricity on the order of 100 kW and higher The system may be operated in a carbon neutral or even carbon negative manner, allowing sequestration of atmospheric carbon dioxide

Process and device for the pyrolysis of feedstock

A retort heating apparatus for processing a feed material includes a heating chamber bounded at least in part by a side wall. A plurality of baffles are at least partially disposed within the heating chamber. Each baffle includes an elongated body having a top surface, at least a portion of the top surface being arched. The plurality of baffles are vertically and horizontally spaced apart so that substantially all of the feed material that vertically passes through the heating chamber is horizontally displaced as the feed material passes by the baffles. Systems are also provided for heating the feed material within the heating chamber.

Retort heating apparatus and methods

This invention involves pyrolysis of feedstock by introducing carbonaceous feedstock, into a hopper and moving it into a reactor tube enclosed in an oven, generating heat within the oven that is in part transferred to the feedstock, heating it to sufficient temperature to pyrolyze the feedstock into useful volatiles and char. A Venturi system produces a negative pressure directing volatiles into a pyro-gas oven producing heat necessary for pyrolysis and generating useful excess heat. The extruded pyrolysis char has uses including charcoal fuel, soil amendments, and activated charcoal while liquids can be produced for processing into fuels. Excess heat may be used to heat water, steam, and air, may be used in air heating and cooling systems, perform mechanical work with a Stirling engine or generate electricity on the order of 100 kW and higher. The system may be operated in a carbon neutral or even carbon negative manner, allowing sequestration of atmospheric carbon dioxide.

Improved process and device for the pyrolysis of feedstock

A fluidized bed reactor system utilizes a fluid phase, a retained fluidized primary particulate phase, and a migratory second particulate phase. The primary particulate phase is a particle such as a gel bead containing an immobilized biocatalyst. The secondary particulate phase, continuously introduced and removed in either cocurrent or countercurrent mode, acts in a secondary role such as a sorbent to continuously remove a product or by-product constituent from the fluid phase. Introduction and removal of the sorbent phase is accomplished through the use of feed screw mechanisms and multivane slurry valves.

Biparticle fluidized bed reactor

A process and apparatus for production of liquid and gaseous fuels from solid organic carbonaceous materials by reacting free falling solids in a countercurrent gas stream The process is conducted with a lean solids phase which provides good process control and uniform flow of solids even in the presence of condensation and refluxing of liquids on the solid particles Rapid heatup rates provide high carbon conversions Oil shales of the eocene period are particularly well suited for the process of this invention A reactor particularly suited for conducting reactions between free falling solids and countercurrent flowing gas streams is disclosed together with preferred methods for introduction of solid feeds to the top of the reactor

Paul B. Tarman

Papers

Fuel production by free fall countercurrent flow