Process for converting cellulosic material into liquids

Abstract

A process for the production of oxygenated C hydrocarbons from cellulose is disclosed. The input cellulose waste is gasified using steam in the absence of air and the primary gaseous products of carbon monoxide and hydrogen are subjected to heat, pressure, and catalysts to form methyl alcohol. Carbon monoxide is added to the methyl alcohol and further subjected to heat, pressure and catalysts to form acetic acid. The acetic acid is purified using a distillation tower, and removed for sale. Output production is increased by adding further carbon monoxide and hydrogen from burners used to heat the gasifiers. Further carbon monoxide and hydrogen are also produced by steam gasification of the carbon residue to promote a water/gas shift. These gases are fed into the gas stream produced by the gasification of cellulose, and provide more feedstock for the reactions. The three input gas streams arising from: 1) the steam gasification of cellulose; 2) the water/gas shift in the carbon reactor; and 3) the sub-stoichiometic oxygen burning of input burner gas to heat both retorts, maximize the output chemical production while reducing the consumption of energy needed for processing the cellulose and the carbon.