Co-gasification process for hydrocarbon solids and biomass

• US 20100083575A1
• Filed: 09/29/2009
• Published: 04/08/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/03/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ExxonMobil Research & Engineering Company (Exxon Mobil Corporation)
• Original Assignee: ExxonMobil Research & Engineering Company (Exxon Mobil Corporation)
• Inventors: Varadaraj, Ramesh, Siskin, Michael, Robbins, John L.
• Granted Patent: US 9,057,031 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 48/209
• CPC Class Codes: C10J 2300/092 Wood, cellulose
• CPC Class Codes: C10J 2300/0926 Slurries comprising bio-oil or bio-coke, i.e. charcoal, obtained, e.g. by fast pyrolysis of biomass
• CPC Class Codes: C10J 2300/093 Coal
• CPC Class Codes: C10J 2300/0943 Coke
• CPC Class Codes: C10J 2300/0993 Inert particles, e.g. as heat exchange medium in a fluidized or moving bed, heat carriers, sand
• CPC Class Codes: C10J 2300/1884 with one stream being synthesis gas
• CPC Class Codes: C10J 3/466 Entrained flow processes
• CPC Class Codes: C10J 3/54 Gasification of granular or pulverulent fuels by the Winkler technique, i.e. by fluidisation
• CPC Class Codes: C10J 3/66 by introducing them into the gasification zone
• CPC Class Codes: C10J 3/72 Other features
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 20/18 Integrated gasification combined cycle [IGCC], e.g. combined with carbon capture and storage [CCS]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 50/30 Fuel from waste, e.g. synthetic alcohol or diesel
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 20/145 the feedstock being materials of biological origin
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 50/678 Aviation using fuels of non-fossil origin

Abstract

A process for the co-gasification of carbonaceous solids (coal, coke) and biomass in which the biomass material is pyrolyzed to provide a biomass pyrolysis oil and biomass char or coke which are then mixed with the carbonaceous solid to form a slurry. This slurry is then heated if necessary to achieve a viscosity which can be processed conveniently in the gasifier. The heat required for pyrolyzing the biomass can conveniently be obtained from the heat exchanger used to cool the hot synthesis gas product emerging from the gasifier.

Claims

1. A process for forming a slurry feed for the gasification to synthesis gas of solid carbonaceous particles and solid biomass, which comprises pyrolyzing the biomass to form biomass pyrolysis oil and biomass char;

and mixing the biomass pyrolysis oil and biomass char with the solid carbonaceous particles to form the slurry feed.

2. The process according to claim 1, wherein the solid carbonaceous particles comprise a solid fossil fuel.

3. The process according to claim 2, wherein the solid carbonaceous particles comprise coal.

4. The process according to claim 1, wherein the solid carbonaceous particles are comprised of a coke derived from coal or a coke derived from petroleum oil.

5. The process according to claim 1, wherein the biomass comprises biological matter selected from wood, plant matter, municipal waste, green waste, byproducts of farming or food processing waste, sewage sludge, black liquor from wood pulp, and algae.

6. The process according to claim 1, wherein the ratio of the solid carbonaceous particles to biomass pyrolysis oil is from 60:

40 to 40;

60 by weight.

7. The process according to claim 1, wherein the solid carbonaceous particles have an average particle size (by weight) of from about 0.01 to about 10 millimeters.

8. A slurry feed for gasification to synthesis gas comprising a complex plastic slurry which is a mixture of a solid carbonaceous particles, biomass pyrolysis oil and biomass char.

9. The slurry feed according to claim 8, wherein the solid carbonaceous particles are comprised of a coke derived from coal or a coke derived from petroleum oil.

10. The slurry feed according to claim 8, wherein the biomass pyrolysis oil is comprised of biological matter selected from wood, plant matter, municipal waste, green waste, byproducts of farming or food processing waste, sewage sludge, black liquor from wood pulp, and algae.

11. The slurry feed according to claim 8, wherein the ratio of the solid carbonaceous particles to biomass pyrolysis oil is from 60:

40 to 40;

60 by weight.

12. A process for the co-gasification of solid carbonaceous particles and a biomass, which comprises:

a) pyrolyzing a biomass to provide a biomass pyrolysis oil and biomass char;

b) mixing the biomass pyrolysis oil, the biomass char and solid carbonaceous particles to form a complex plastic slurry of pumpable viscosity;

c) pumping the slurry into the mixing zone of a gasifier where it is mixed with an oxygen-containing gas;

d) passing the mixture of the slurry and oxygen-containing gas through a feed injector into a gasifier reactor; and

e) gasifying the mixture to form synthesis gas.

13. The process according to claim 12, wherein the viscosity of the slurry is in the range of about 1000 to 3000 cP at a temperature in the range of from about 30 to 100°

C.

14. The process according to claim 12, wherein the solid carbonaceous particles are comprised of a solid fossil fuel.

15. The process according to claim 14, wherein the solid carbonaceous particles are comprised of coal.

16. The process according to claim 12, wherein in the solid carbonaceous particles are comprised of a coke derived from coal or a coke derived from petroleum oil.

17. The process according to claim 12, wherein the biomass comprises biological matter selected from wood, plant matter, municipal waste, green waste, byproducts of farming or food processing waste, sewage sludge, black liquor from wood pulp, and algae.

18. The process according to claim 12, wherein the ratio of the solid carbonaceous particles to biomass pyrolysis oil is from 60:

40 to 40;

60 by weight.

19. The process according to claim 12, wherein the solid carbonaceous particles have an average particle size (by weight) of from about 0.01 to about 10 millimeters.

20. A process according to claim 12, wherein steam is co-fed into the gasifier reactor with the mixture of slurry and oxygen-containing gas.