Abstract:
Disclosed embodiments provide a system and method for producing hydrocarbons from biomass. Certain embodiments of the method are particularly useful for producing substitute natural gas from forestry residues. Certain disclosed embodiments of the method convert a biomass feedstock into a product hydrocarbon by hydropyrolysis. Catalytic conversion of the resulting pyrolysis gas to the product hydrocarbon and carbon dioxide occurs in the presence of hydrogen and steam over a CO2 sorbent with simultaneous generation of the required hydrogen by reaction with steam. A gas separator purifies product methane, while forcing recycle of internally generated hydrogen to obtain high conversion of the biomass feedstock to the desired hydrocarbon product. While methane is a preferred hydrocarbon product, liquid hydrocarbon products also can be delivered.
Abstract:
A method for converting lignocellulosic biomass to a useful fuel is disclosed in a process sequence resulting in low levels of depositable tars in an output gas stream. One disclosed embodiment comprises performing a sequence of steps at elevated pressure and elevated hydrogen partial pressure, including fast (or flash) hydropyrolysis of a lignocellulosic biomass feed followed sequentially with catalytically enhanced reactions for the formation of methane operating at moderate temperatures of from about 400° C. to about 650° C. under moderately elevated pressure (about 5 atm to about 50 atm). A temperature rise in the catalyst above pyrolysis temperature is achieved without the addition of air or oxygen. Gas residence time at elevated temperature downstream of methane formation zones extends beyond the time required for methane formation. This sequence results in low tar deposit levels. The catalyst promotes preferential formation of methane and non-deposit forming hydrocarbons, and coke re-gasification.
Abstract:
Disclosed embodiments provide a system and method for producing hydrocarbons from biomass. Certain embodiments of the method are particularly useful for producing substitute natural gas from forestry residues. Certain disclosed embodiments of the method convert a biomass feedstock into a product hydrocarbon by hydropyrolysis. Catalytic conversion of the resulting pyrolysis gas to the product hydrocarbon and carbon dioxide occurs in the presence of hydrogen and steam over a CO2 sorbent with simultaneous generation of the required hydrogen by reaction with steam. A gas separator purifies product methane, while forcing recycle of internally generated hydrogen to obtain high conversion of the biomass feedstock to the desired hydrocarbon product. While methane is a preferred hydrocarbon product, liquid hydrocarbon products also can be delivered.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a system and method for producing hydrocarbons from biomass. The method is particularly useful for producing substitute natural gas from forestry residues. Certain disclosed embodiments convert a biomass feedstock into a product hydrocarbon by fast pyrolysis. The resulting pyrolysis gas is converted to the product hydrocarbon and carbon dioxide in the presence of hydrogen and steam while simultaneously generating the required hydrogen by reaction with steam under prescribed conditions for self-sufficiency of hydrogen. Methane is a preferred hydrocarbon product. A system also is disclosed for cycling the catalyst between steam reforming, methanation and regeneration zones.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a system and method for producing hydrocarbons from biomass. The method is particularly useful for producing substitute natural gas from forestry residues. Certain disclosed embodiments convert a biomass feedstock into a product hydrocarbon by fast pyrolysis. The resulting pyrolysis gas is converted to the product hydrocarbon and carbon dioxide in the presence of hydrogen and steam while simultaneously generating the required hydrogen by reaction with steam under prescribed conditions for self-sufficiency of hydrogen. Methane is a preferred hydrocarbon product. A system also is disclosed for cycling the catalyst between steam reforming, methanation and regeneration zones.