PROCESS FOR CONVERTING CARBON-BASED ENERGY CARRIER MATERIAL

• US 20110197511A1
• Filed: 01/18/2011
• Published: 08/18/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MARD Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Kior Inc.
• Inventors: Moulijn, Jacob Adriaan, Stamires, Dennis, O'Connor, Paul
• Granted Patent: US 8,460,541 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 48/197.0FM
• CPC Class Codes: C10B 49/20 in dispersed form
• CPC Class Codes: C10G 1/08 with moving catalysts
• CPC Class Codes: C10G 1/086 Characterised by the catalyst used
• CPC Class Codes: C10G 11/18 according to the "fluidised-bed" technique
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 50/10 Biofuels, e.g. bio-diesel

Abstract

A process is disclosed process for converting a solid or highly viscous carbon-based energy carrier material to liquid and gaseous reaction products, said process comprising the steps of: a) contacting the carbon-based energy carrier material with a particulate catalyst material b) converting the carbon-based energy carrier material at a reaction temperature between 200° C. and 450° C., preferably between 250° C. and 350° C., thereby forming reaction products in the vapor phase. In a preferred embodiment the process comprises the additional step of: c) separating the vapor phase reaction products from the particulate catalyst material within 10 seconds after said reaction products are formed. In a further preferred embodiment step c) is followed by: d) quenching the reaction products to a temperature below 200° C.

Claims

1. A process for converting a solid or highly viscous carbon-based energy carrier material to liquid and gaseous reaction products, said process comprising the steps of:

a) sensitizing said carbon-based energy carrier material to produce a sensitized material;

b) contacting said sensitized material with a particulate catalyst material;

c) converting said sensitized material at a reaction temperature between 200°

C. and 450°

C., thereby forming reaction products in the vapor phase;

d) separating at least a portion of said reaction products from said particulate catalyst material within 10 seconds after said reaction products are formed; and

e) optionally quenching said reaction products to a temperature below 200°

C.

2. The process of claim 30 wherein said sensitizing in step a) comprises contacting said carbon-based energy carrier material with a portion of said reaction products from step c).

3. The process of claim 30 wherein said sensitizing in step a) comprises intimately contacting said carbon-based energy carrier material with a portion of said particulate catalyst material by milling.