Supercritical water gasification process
OwnerThomas J. Baudhuininventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The process described herein converts biomass directly into a combination of hydrogen, methane and carbon dioxide. A portion of the gases are collected at pressures above the thermodynamic critical pressure for water, which is 3200 psi (pounds per square inch). Typical operating pressure at the point where the first portion of gas collected can range from 3200 psi to 6000 psi. Upon cooling, most of the CO2 condenses to a liquid. At this density and pressure, the CO2 can be injected into a deep well aquifer to sequester the carbon dioxide. The overall process is superior to carbon neutral processes, can be carbon negative, and possesses the potential to reverse atmospheric CO2 trends if implemented on a global scale.
Claims34
A process for converting a biomass stream into a product stream comprising hydrogen, methane, and carbon dioxide using a supercritical water gasification reactor, the process comprising:
- (i) exchanging heat, using a first heat exchanger, between a feedwater stream and the product stream, wherein the feedwater stream is heated by the product stream to a first temperature;
- (ii) feeding the feedwater stream exiting the first heat exchanger to a heater that is configured to heat the feedwater stream from the first temperature to a second temperature;
- (iii) exchanging heat, using a second heat exchanger, between the product stream and the feedwater stream exiting the heater, wherein the feedwater stream is heated by the product from the second temperature to a third temperature;
- (iv) feeding the feedwater stream exiting the second heat exchanger to the heater, wherein the heater is configured to heat the feedwater stream from the third temperature to a fourth temperature, and exchanging heat, using a third heat exchanger, between the product stream exiting the reactor and the feedwater stream exiting the heater and entering the reactor;
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- (v) reacting the feedwater stream provided by the heater with the biomass stream in the supercritical water gasification reactor to produce the product stream, wherein the product stream includes a supercritical product.
A process for converting a biomass stream into a product stream comprising hydrogen, methane, and carbon dioxide using a supercritical water gasification reactor, the process comprising:
- (i) exchanging heat, using a first heat exchanger, between a feedwater stream and the product stream, wherein the feedwater stream is heated by the product stream to a first temperature;
- (ii) feeding the feedwater stream exiting the first heat exchanger to a heater that is configured to heat the feedwater stream from the first temperature to a second temperature;
- (iii) exchanging heat, using a second heat exchanger, between the product stream and the feedwater stream exiting the heater, wherein the feedwater stream is heated by the product from the second temperature to a third temperature;
- (iv) feeding the feedwater stream exiting the second heat exchanger to the heater, wherein the heater is configured to heat the feedwater stream from the third temperature to a fourth temperature, and exchanging heat, using a third heat exchanger, between the product stream exiting the reactor and the feedwater stream exiting the heater and entering the reactor;
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- (v) reacting the feedwater stream provided by the heater with the biomass stream in the supercritical water gasification reactor to produce the product stream, wherein the process uses supercritical water.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.