Shell Oil Comapny

Shell Internationale Research Maatschappij, B.v.

Thomas Lamar Flowers

Joseph Broun Powell

Juben Nemchand Chheda

Kimberly Ann Johnson

Lamar Lane Joffrion

Molly Gilchrest

Todd Paul Peltier

Franklin Eugene Caputo

Glenn Charles Komplin

Edward James Denton

Hubert Willem Schenck

Andries Quinn Boon

Processing of a reaction product mixture of cellulosic biomass material containing at least one volatile organic compound at least one of lignin, a lignin-derived compound, unextracted cellulose, unextracted hemicellulose, a caramelan, and any combination thereof by vaporizing the at least one volatile organic compound using at least thermal energy generated by combusting at least a portion of the reaction product mixture. In a particular embodiment, the reaction product mixture comes from reactions involving deconstruction (or digestion) of cellulosic biomass which contains various polysaccharides (e.g., carbohydrates) and lignin.

Methods and systems for processing a reaction product mixture of cellulosic biomass material

A bottom fraction of a product of a hydrocatalytic reaction is gasified to generate hydrogen for use in further hydrocatalytic reactions. In one embodiment, one or more volatile organic compounds is also vaporized using heat generated in the gasification process. In one embodiment, an overhead fraction of the hydrocatalytic reaction is further processed to generate higher molecular weight compounds. In another embodiment, a product of the further processing is separated into a bottom fraction and an overhead fraction, where the bottom fraction is also gasified to generate hydrogen for use in further hydrocatalytic reactions.

Methods and systems for supplying hydrogen to a hydrocatalytic reaction

When processing cellulosic biomass, it may be desirable for a digestion unit to operate without being fully depressurized for process efficiency purposes. Methods for processing cellulosic biomass may comprise providing a biomass conversion system comprising a pressurization zone and a digestion unit that are operatively connected to one another; providing cellulosic biomass at a first pressure; introducing at least a portion of the cellulosic biomass into the pressurization zone and pressurizing the pressurization zone to a second pressure higher than the first pressure; after pressurizing the pressurization zone, transferring at least a portion of the cellulosic biomass from the pressurization zone to the digestion unit, which is at a third pressure that is less than or equal to the second pressure but higher than the first pressure; and digesting at least a portion of the cellulosic biomass in the digestion unit to produce a hydrolysate comprising soluble carbohydrates.

Systems capable of adding cellulosic biomass to a digestion unit operating at high pressures and associated methods forcellulosic biomass processing

Digestion units for processing cellulosic biomass can comprise a chamber having a height that is greater than its width, the chamber having an opening suitable for solids introduction located within the upper 20% of its height; one or more first fluid conduits connected to the chamber within the lower 20% of its height, at least one of the first fluid conduits extending into the chamber and being elevated above the bottom of the chamber; one or more second fluid conduits connected to the chamber within the upper 20% of its height, at least one of the first fluid conduits being fluidly coupled to at least one of the second fluid conduits; a porous medium located in the chamber within the lower 20% of its height; and a movable pressure isolation device covering the opening; wherein the digestion unit is operable to maintain a pressure of at least about 30 bar.

Digestion units configured for high yield biomass processing

When processing cellulosic biomass, it may be desirable for a digestion unit to operate without being fully depressurized for process efficiency purposes. A biomass conversion system can comprise a first digestion unit and a second digestion unit that are operatively connected to one another; a valve separating the first digestion unit from the second digestion unit; a fluid circulation loop establishing fluid communication between an outlet of the first digestion unit and an inlet of the second digestion unit; and a bypass line establishing fluid communication between an outlet of the second digestion unit and the fluid circulation loop.

Systems having digestion units with capability for loading cellulosic biomass under high pressure and associated methods for cellulosic biomass processing

Systems capable of adding cellulosic biomass to a digestion unit operating at high pressures and associated methods for cellulosic biomass processing

Growing community of inventors

Katy, TX, United States of America

Thomas Lamar Flowers