Hydrothermal conversion of biomass to hydrocarbon products

A process for the conversion of biomass to higher value hydrocarbons and oxygenated hydrocarbon products, which process comprises:

• i) conducting a feedstock of biomass and an effective amount of water into a reaction vessel;
• ii) introducing an effective amount of a co-feed into the reaction vessel containing said biomass and an effective amount of water, which co-feed is comprised of a syngas or a material represented by the chemical formula:
• CxHyOz
• where x is equal to a whole number from 1 to 20;
• y is equal to a whole number from 2 to 42;
• and z is equal to 0, 1, or 2;
• iii) operating the reaction vessel at a temperature from about 200° C. to about 500° C. and at a pressure equal to or greater than the saturated water vapor pressure within the reaction vessel, thereby resulting in a heated hydrocarbon-containing product stream;
• iv) conducting said hydrocarbon-containing product stream to a first separation zone wherein a gaseous fraction and a liquid fraction are separated, wherein said gaseous fraction contains light hydrocarbons and said liquid fraction is comprised of a hydrocarbon fraction, and a water fraction containing entrained solids;
• v) conducting said gaseous fraction from said first separation zone to a second separation zone wherein at least a light hydrocarbon fraction is separated from a flue gas fraction;
• and
• vi) conducting said liquid fraction from said first separation zone to a third separation zone wherein at least a portion of said hydrocarbon fraction is separated from said water fraction containing entrained solids.