Massachusetts Institute of Technology

William A Peters

Jack B Howard

Anthony J Modestino

Alexander F Diaz

John P Longwell

Carsten R Steffin

Bjorn Lillebuen

Fredreric Vogel

Sven Plahte

A continuous process for the conversion of biomass to form a chemical feedstock is described. The biomass and an exogenous metal oxide, preferably calcium oxide, or metal oxide precursor are continuously fed into a reaction chamber that is operated at a temperature of at least 1400&#xb0; C. to form reaction products including metal carbide. The metal oxide or metal oxide precursor is capable of forming a hydrolizable metal carbide. The reaction products are quenched to a temperature of 800&#xb0; C. or less. The resulting metal carbide is separated from the reaction products or, alternatively, when quenched with water, hydolyzed to provide a recoverable hydrocarbon gas feedstock.

Thermal conversion of biomass to valuable fuels, chemical feedstocks and chemicals

A continuous process for the production of elemental aluminum is described. Aluminum is made from aluminum oxide and a reducing gas such as a light hydrocarbon gas or other reducing gas, for example hydrogen. In the process, a feed stream of the aluminum oxide and the reducing gas is continuously fed into a reaction zone. There the aluminum oxide and reducing gas are reacted at a temperature of about 1500&deg; C. or greater in the reaction zone to provide a continuous product stream of reaction products, which include elemental aluminum. The product stream is continuously quenching after leaving the reaction zone, and the elemental aluminum is separated from the other reaction products.

Method for production of aluminum

A continuous process for the production of elemental magnesium is described. Magnesium is made from magnesium oxide and a light hydrocarbon gas. In the process, a feed stream of the magnesium oxide and gas is continuously fed into a reaction zone. There the magnesium oxide and gas are reacted at a temperature of about 1400.degree. C. or greater in the reaction zone to provide a continuous product stream of reaction products, which include elemental magnesium. The product stream is continuously quenched after leaving the reaction zone, and the elemental magnesium is separated from other reaction products.

Method for production of magnesium

A method for volumetric reduction of gaseous methane to for magnesium carbide is disclosed. A mixture containing methane and magnesium oxide is reacted at a temperature of 1400 C. or greater to form magnesium tricarbide and by-product gases. The carbide can be hydrolyzed to form hydrocarbons that are useful as chemical feedstocks as fuels for combustion, etc. C.sub.3 hydrocarbons such as those produced by hydrolysis of magnesium tricarbide can be reacted to form benzene using a dehydrocyclization catalyst.

Method for methane conversion

A method for volumetric reduction of gaseous methane to form magnesium carbide is disclosed. A mixture containing methane and magnesium oxide is reacted at a temperature of 1400.degree. C. or greater to form magnesium tricarbide and by-product gases. The carbide can be hydrolyzed to form hydrocarbons that are useful as chemical feedstocks as fuels for combustion, etc. C.sub.3 hydrocarbons such as those produced by hydrolysis of magnesium tricarbide can be reacted to form benzene using a dehydrocyclization catalyst.

A process for treating liquid hydrocarbons to remove toxic, mutagenic and/or carcinogenic aromatic hydrocarbons comprises feeding the hydrocarbons into a reactor where vapors are thermally treated in contact with a catalyst consisting essentially of calcium oxide or a calcium oxide containing mineral. Thermally treating liquid hydrocarbons in contact with calcium oxide preferentially increases the cracking of aromatics thus producing a product having a reduced amount of aromatic compounds.

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Lexington, MA, United States of America

William A Peters