Biomass conversion systems having a fluid circulation loop containing a centripetal force-based separation mechanism for control of cellulosic fines and methods for use thereof

• US 9,415,367 B2
• Filed: 04/02/2014
• Issued: 08/16/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Shell Oil Company (Shell Plc)
• Original Assignee: Shell Oil Company (Shell Plc)
• Inventors: Powell, Joseph Broun
• Primary Examiner(s): BHAT, NINA NMN
• Application Number:
  US14/242,934
• Publication Number:
  US 20140212341A1
• Time in Patent Office: 867 Days
• Field of Search: 422/608, 422/616, 422/613, 422/620, 585/240
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/0046 Sequential or parallel reactions, e.g. for the synthesis of polypeptides or polynucleotides; Apparatus and devices for combinatorial chemistry or for making molecular arrays synthesis methods per se C40B50/00
• CPC Class Codes: C10G 1/002 in combination with oil conversion- or refining processes
• CPC Class Codes: C10G 1/065 in the presence of a solvent
• CPC Class Codes: C10G 2300/1014 of vegetal origin
• CPC Class Codes: C10G 3/00 Production of liquid hydrocarbon mixtures from oxygen-containing organic materials, e.g. fatty oils, fatty acids production from non-melting solid oxygen-containing carbonaceous materials C10G1/00
• CPC Class Codes: C10G 3/42 Catalytic treatment
• CPC Class Codes: C10L 1/02 essentially based on components consisting of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen only
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 30/20 using bio-feedstock

Abstract

Digestion of cellulosic biomass to produce a hydrolysate may be accompanied by the formation of cellulosic fines which may be damaging to system components. Biomass conversion systems that may address the issue of cellulosic fines may comprise a fluid circulation loop comprising: a hydrothermal digestion unit; a solids separation unit that is in fluid communication with an outlet of the hydrothermal digestion unit; where the solids separation unit comprises a centripetal force-based separation mechanism that comprises a fluid outlet and a solids outlet; and a catalytic reduction reactor unit that is in fluid communication with the fluid outlet of the centripetal force-based separation mechanism and an inlet of the hydrothermal digestion unit.

Claims

1. A biomass conversion system comprising:

a fluid circulation loop comprising;

a hydrothermal digestion unit;

a solids separation unit that is in fluid communication with an outlet of the hydrothermal digestion unit;

wherein the solids separation unit comprises a centripetal force-based separation mechanism that comprises a fluid outlet and a solids outlet; and

a catalytic reduction reactor unit that is in fluid communication with the fluid outlet of the centripetal force-based separation mechanism and an inlet of the hydrothermal digestion unit.

2. The biomass conversion system of claim 1, further comprising:

at least one filter in the fluid circulation loop located between the solids separation unit and the catalytic reduction reactor unit.

3. The biomass conversion system of claim 1, further comprising:

a solids collection unit that is operatively connected to the solids outlet of the centripetal force-based separation mechanism.

4. The biomass conversion system of claim 3, further comprising:

a return line establishing fluid communication between the solids collection unit and the fluid circulation loop.

5. The biomass conversion system of claim 4, further comprising:

a fluid transfer line establishing fluid communication between an outlet of the catalytic reduction reactor unit and the solids collection unit.

6. The biomass conversion system of claim 1, wherein the fluid circulation loop is configured to establish countercurrent flow in the hydrothermal digestion unit.

7. The biomass conversion system of claim 1, wherein the centripetal force-based separation mechanism comprises a hydroclone.