Battelle Memorial Institute

Justin M Billing

Richard T Hallen

Todd R Hart

Andrew J Schmidt

Daniel B Anderson

Lesley J Snowden-Swan

Michael R Thorson

Gary D Maupin

A hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) system can comprise a biomass slurry source, a first pump in fluid communication with the slurry source and configured to pressurize a biomass slurry stream from the slurry source to a first pressure, a first heat exchanger in fluid communication with the first pump and configured to heat a slurry stream received from the first pump to a first temperature, a second pump in fluid communication with the first heat exchanger and configured to pressurize a slurry stream received from the first heat exchanger to a second pressure higher than the first pressure, a second heat exchanger in fluid communication with the second pump and configured to heat a slurry stream received from the second pump to a second temperature higher than the first temperature, and a HTL reactor configured to produce biocrude from a slurry stream received from the second heat exchanger.

Hydrothermal liquefaction system

Liquefaction processes are provided that can include: providing a biomass slurry solution having a temperature of at least 300&#xb0; C. at a pressure of at least 2000 psig; cooling the solution to a temperature of less than 150&#xb0; C.; and depressurizing the solution to release carbon dioxide from the solution and form at least part of a bio-oil foam. Liquefaction processes are also provided that can include: filtering the biomass slurry to remove particulates; and cooling and depressurizing the filtered solution to form the bio-oil foam. Liquefaction systems are provided that can include: a heated biomass slurry reaction zone maintained above 300&#xb0; C. and at least 2000 psig and in continuous fluid communication with a flash cooling/depressurization zone maintained below 150&#xb0; C. and between about 125 psig and about atmospheric pressure. Liquefaction systems are also provided that can include a foam/liquid separation system. Liquefaction process intermediate compositions are provided that can include a bio-oil foam phase separated from an aqueous biomass solids solution.

Liquefaction processes and systems and liquefaction process intermediate compositions

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Richland, WA, United States of America

Justin M Billing