Processes and apparatuses for converting a feedstock
AssigneeUop LLC
InventorLance Awender Baird
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Processes and apparatuses for converting a feedstock are provided. In one embodiment, a process of converting biomass includes flowing the biomass and a gas through a process unit. A default value is provided for a frequency of measuring a process condition in the process unit. The process condition is measured according to the frequency to obtain process condition measurements. The process condition measurements are evaluated to assess the stability of the process condition. Then, it is determined whether to change the default value depending on the stability of the process condition.
Claims20
A process for converting biomass, the process comprising the steps of:
- flowing the biomass and a gas through a process unit;
- providing a default value for a frequency of measuring a process condition in the process unit;
- measuring the process condition according to the frequency to obtain process condition measurements;
- evaluating the process condition measurements to assess the stability of the process condition;
- and
- determining whether to change the default value depending on the stability of the process condition.
A process for monitoring a fluidized solid stream comprising:
- contacting a gas with solids to form the fluidized solid stream;
- intermittently opening fluid communication with the fluidized solid stream through a tap at a first frequency;
- and
- measuring a process condition at the tap to obtain measured process conditions and simultaneously purging solids from the tap while fluid communication with the fluidized solid stream is open.
An apparatus for converting a feedstock to bio-oil comprising:
- a conversion reactor for receiving the feedstock and including a reaction zone adapted to convert the feedstock to bio-oil;
- a tap connected to the reaction zone;
- a measuring instrument fluidly connected to the tap by a conduit, the measuring instrument configured for measuring a condition in the reaction zone;
- a valve connected to the conduit between the measuring instrument and the tap for selectively opening and closing fluid communication therebetween;
- a gas source connected to the conduit between the valve and the measuring instrument for purging the tap of solids;
- and
- a controller electronically connected to the measuring instrument and the valve, wherein the controller is configured to intermittently open the valve to obtain a condition measurement and to simultaneously purge the tap of solids.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.