US 12,753,346 B1 · Control of pyrolysis conditions and feedstock for the production of desirable compounds

Abstract

A method for increasing the production of desired inorganic or organic compounds, including soluble signaling compounds, from the pyrolysis of biomass is provided comprising the steps of: (i) obtaining a biomass source; (ii) pyrolyzing the biomass source at various temperatures between 400-600° C. and, at each of the various temperatures, retaining the biomass within the region of higher heating temperature for a period of not longer than one day and not less than 1 minute whereby the pyrolysis of the biomass at various temperature for various hold times produces various biochars; (iii) creating extracts from each of the various biochars produced at varying temperatures and hold times; (iv) determining which of the extracts from each of the various biochars produced at varying temperatures and hold times produces the most desired soluble signaling compound; and (v) collecting biochar extract from biochar produced at the temperature and heat treatment time determined to produce the most desired soluble signaling compound. The method also can include other steps of extraction and purification. A biochar having high levels of desirable organic compounds or soluble signaling compounds is also provided, where the biochar is derived from a biomass source that together with predefined pyrolysis parameters produces resulting biochar having increased levels of the desirable organic compounds. The desirable soluble signaling compounds may be those known to increase seed germination rates and early plant growth. Such desirable compounds can be collected in a biochar extract by contacting the biochar with an extraction media.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A method for producing a highest concentration of a desired compound from the pyrolysis of biomass, the method comprising steps of:

obtaining a biomass source;
pyrolyzing the biomass source at least two different temperatures between 400-600° C. and, at each of the at least two different temperatures, retaining the biomass while pyrolyzing the biomass source at the at least two different temperatures for a period of not longer than one day and not less than 1 minute whereby the pyrolysis of the biomass at the at least two different temperatures for the period produces at least two different biochars;
creating extracts from each of the at least two different biochars by contacting the at least two different biochars with a first solution containing at least one solvent selected from the group consisting of acetone, acetonitrile, dichloromethane, ethanol, ethyl acetate, and hydrochloric acid, where the extracts comprise the first solution and the desired compound;
determining which of the extracts from each of the at least two different biochars produces a highest concentration of the desired compound;
and
collecting biochar extract from the at least two different biochars that produced the extract containing the highest concentration of the desired compound, where the collected biochar extract continues to comprise the first solution and the desired compound;
further processing the collected biochar extract by removing biochar particles from the collected biochar extract or distilling, refining or concentrating the collected biochar extract, where the further processed collected biochar extract comprises a second solution that comprise at least the first solution and the desired compound for purposes;
and
applying the second solution to seeds, soil, or plants.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Control of pyrolysis conditions and feedstock for the production of desirable compounds

Life of this patent

Control of pyrolysis conditions and feedstock for the production of desirable compounds

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19