Device and method for conversion of biomass to biofuel
AssigneeRenewable Fuel Technologies, Inc.
InventorsMark Wechsler, Arthur M. Shulenberger
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Embodiments presented herein describe an apparatus and method to convert carbonaceous materials, particularly biomass and those biomass resources which are remotely located, into a high performance solid fuel. This method, and the apparatus described as the means to accomplish this method, provides a continuous process which can be completely powered by the energy contained in the biomass. The heat, mechanical power and electrical power are provided from the energy in the biomass, through the methods described. In this way, the apparatus is free to operate in remote locations, where no power or auxiliary fuel sources are available.
Claims41
A method for converting a biomass into a coal-like biofuel within an apparatus comprising a heat transfer fluid in a closed-loop heat transfer circuit, said method comprising:
- torrefying the biomass utilizing heat by extracting heat from the heat transfer fluid, where said torrefying produces a torrefaction gas and the biofuel;
- exothermically reacting said torrefaction gas;
- and
- heating the heat transfer fluid from the reacted torrefaction gas.
An apparatus for converting a biomass into a coal-like biofuel, said apparatus comprising:
- a closed-loop heat transfer circuit having a heat transfer fluid;
- a heat exchanger having an input for accepting biomass, a first output for providing torrefied biomass, a second output for providing torrefaction gases, and a surface in contact with condensing heat transfer fluid of the heat transfer circuit for condensing the heat transfer fluid;
- and
- a chemical reactor for extracting chemical energy from the torrefaction gases and boiling the heat transfer fluid.
A method for converting a biomass into a coal-like biofuel, said method comprising:
- drying the biomass to form steam;
- and
- providing heat from the steam to a heat engine.
An apparatus for converting a biomass into a coal-like biofuel, said apparatus comprising:
- a heat exchanger having an input for accepting biomass, a first output for providing at least partially dried biomass, a second output for providing steam obtained from the biomass;
- and
- a heat engine to generate electricity from heat extracted from the steam.36. The apparatus of claim 35, where said heat exchanger is a first heat exchanger, and further comprising:
- a closed-loop heat transfer circuit having a heat transfer fluid;
- a second heat exchanger having an input for accepting biomass from said first heat exchanger, a first output for providing torrefied biomass, a second output for providing torrefaction gases, and a surface in contact with condensing heat transfer fluid of the heat transfer circuit for condensing the heat transfer fluid;
- and
- a chemical reactor for extracting chemical energy from the torrefaction gases and boiling the heat transfer fluid.
The apparatus of claim 36, where said electricity is sufficient to operate said apparatus as a stand-alone apparatus.
The apparatus of claim 36, where said heat transfer fluid is a mixture of biphenyl (C12H10), diphenyl oxide (C12H10O), poly-phenyls, and halogenated derivatives thereof.
The apparatus of claim 36, where substantially all of the gases in the heat exchanger are provided from drying and/or torrefying the biomass.
The apparatus of claim 36, where said chemical reactor is a catalytic combustor.
The apparatus of claim 36, where a substantial portion of said chemical reactor is in indirect contact with a liquid phase of the heat transfer fluid.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.