Apparatus, system, and method for biomass fractioning
AssigneeCool Planet Energy Systems, Inc.
InventorVern S. TRAXLER
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A crank shaft driven biomass fractionator system, apparatus and method are described for inputting ground biomass and outputting several vapor streams of bio-intermediate compounds associated with bio-oil and bio-vapors along with biochar and optionally syngas production. A method for biomass fractioning comprises dispensing biomass into thin sheets of ground biomass; subjecting the thin sheets to temperature; and collecting various groups of compounds as they are released from the thin sheets.
Claims58
A system for biomass fractioning, comprising:
- a sealed pyrolysis chamber containing at least one conveying surface;
- a plurality of processing stations, wherein each station comprises a piston, each piston sealingly positioned in an opening of the sealed pyrolysis chamber above the conveying surface, wherein the pistons are connected to at least one driver located external to the sealed pyrolysis chamber, said at least one driver capable of moving the pistons in and out of contact with the conveying surface;
- a heater for heating at least a portion of the conveying surface;
- a drive motor located external to the sealed pyrolysis chamber to drive the at least one conveying surface;
- and
- at least one vapor exhaust port for directing vapors from the sealed pyrolysis chamber.
An apparatus for fractioning biomass, comprising:
- a first biofractionator and a second biofractionator;
- said first biofractionator and said second biofractionator each being comprised of:
- a sealed pyrolysis chamber containing at least one conveying surface;
- a plurality of processing stations, wherein each station comprises a piston, each piston sealingly positioned in an opening of the sealed pyrolysis chamber above the conveying surface, wherein the pistons are connected to at least one driver located external to the sealed pyrolysis chamber, said at least one driver capable of moving the pistons in and out of contact with the conveying surface;
- a heater for heating at least a portion of the conveying surface;
- a drive motor located external to the sealed pyrolysis chamber to drive the at least one conveying surface;
- at least one vapor exhaust port for directing vapors from the sealed pyrolysis chamber;
- and
- wherein said first and second biofractionators are in a stacked configuration such that the drivers of the first and second fractionators are run by one drive motor.
A method for converting biomass to bio-oil, comprising:
- moving biomass on conveying surface through a plurality of processing stations each comprising a piston that is sealingly positioned in an opening in a sealed pyrolysis chamber;
- heating at least a portion of the conveying surface;
- moving the pistons into contact with the conveying surface;
- compressing the biomass between each piston and the conveying surface;
- releasing volatiles from the biomass via the compression of each piston;
- directing the volatiles out of the sealed pyrolysis chamber via at least one vapor exhaust port;
- collecting the volatile components from the at least one vapor exhaust port;
- advancing the biomass through the plurality of processing stations via the conveying surface;
- receiving non-volatile material from the last processing station via the at least one conveying surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.