METHODS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF FUEL PELLETS AND OTHER PRODUCTS FROM LIGNOCELLULOSIC BIOMASS

• US 20110296748A1
• Filed: 06/08/2011
• Published: 12/08/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Zilkha Biomass Technologies LLC
• Original Assignee: Zilkha Biomass Technologies LLC
• Inventors: Harris, Kenneth Hillel Peter
• Application Number:
  US13/156,271
• Publication Number:
  US 20110296748A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 44/605
• CPC Class Codes: A23K 10/30 from material of plant origin, e.g. roots, seeds or hay; from material of fungal origin, e.g. mushrooms obtained by microbiological or biochemical processes, e.g. using yeasts or enzymes, A23K10/10
• CPC Class Codes: C10L 5/363 Pellets or granulates
• CPC Class Codes: C10L 5/442 Wood or forestry waste
• CPC Class Codes: C10L 9/08 by heat treatments, e.g. calcining
• CPC Class Codes: C10L 9/10 by using additives
• CPC Class Codes: D21C 1/02 with water or steam
• CPC Class Codes: D21C 3/222 Use of compounds accelerating the pulping processes
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 50/10 Biofuels, e.g. bio-diesel
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 50/30 Fuel from waste, e.g. synthetic alcohol or diesel

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a method for producing products, such as fuel pellets, from lignocellulosic biomass. Lignocellulosic biomass having a moisture content of less than about 30% by weight is introduced into a reactor. A vacuum of less than about 500 torr is applied to the reactor. Steam having a temperature of between about 180° C. and about 235° C. is injected into the reactor. The biomass is maintained in the reactor between about 1 and about 12 minutes. The treated biomass having a moisture content less than about 30% by weight is removed from the reactor. Treated biomass is formed into a pellet.

Claims

1. A method for producing fuel pellets, comprising the steps of:

introducing a lignocellulosic biomass having a moisture content of less than about 30% by weight into a reactor;

applying a vacuum to the reactor;

injecting steam having a temperature of between about 180°

C. and about 235°

C. into the reactor;

maintaining the biomass in the reactor between about 1 and about 12 minutes; and

removing the treated biomass from the reactor.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein less than about 50 weight % of a carbon source is added to the biomass.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the carbon source is coal dust, coke powder, or unprocessed biomass.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the biomass is dried to a moisture content of less than about 15% by weight before the material passes into the reactor.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the vacuum applied to the reactor is less than 500 torr.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the vacuum applied to the reactor is less than 200 torr.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of introducing a catalyst into the reactor.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the catalyst is a fatty acid, ester, or triglyceride.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein the catalyst is introduced prior to the steam.

10. The method of claim 7 wherein the catalyst is introduced together with the steam.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the treated biomass has a moisture content less than about 30% by weight.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of forming the treated biomass into a pellet.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the treated biomass is extruded into the pellet with a compound extruder.

14. A pellet used as a fuel source prepared by a process comprising the steps of:

introducing a lignocellulosic biomass having a moisture content of less than about 30% by weight into a reactor;

applying a vacuum to the reactor;

injecting steam having a temperature of between about 180°

C. and about 235°

C. into the reactor;

maintaining the biomass in the reactor between about 1 and about 12 minutes; and

removing the treated biomass from the reactor.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein less than about 50 weight % of a carbon source is added to the biomass.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein the carbon source is coal dust, coke powder, or unprocessed biomass.

17. The method of claim 14 wherein the biomass is dried to a moisture content of less than about 15% by weight before the material passes into the reactor.

18. The method of claim 14 wherein the vacuum applied to the reactor is less than 500 torr.

19. The method of claim 14 wherein the vacuum applied to the reactor is less than 200 torr.

20. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of introducing a catalyst into the reactor.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein the catalyst is a fatty acid, ester, or triglyceride.

22. The method of claim 20 wherein the catalyst is introduced prior to the steam.

23. The method of claim 20 wherein the catalyst is introduced together with the steam.

24. The method of claim 14 wherein the treated biomass has a moisture content less than about 30% by weight.

25. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of forming the treated biomass into a pellet.

26. The method of claim 25 wherein the treated biomass is extruded into the pellet with a compound extruder.