Abstract:
It is disclosed an apparatus for separating a least one solid from a solids/fluid mixture, said apparatus comprising a separation chamber and a cushion chamber. The separation chamber comprises a top end, a bottom end, at least one wall, and an inlet port for introducing the solids/fluid mixture, said inlet port having an inlet port vector. The cushion chamber comprises at least one boundary wall, and it is adapted to maintain a cushion of the solids/fluid mixture at an intersection of the inlet port vector and the cushion chamber when the separation chamber and the cushion chamber are connected by a communication port at the intersection of the inlet port vector and the at least one wall. The communication port has an area at least a size of an impact area of the solids/fluid mixture on the at least one wall. The communication port may be formed by the erosion of the at least one wall of the separation chamber caused by the solids/fluid mixture at the impact area.It is also disclosed a process for separating a solids/fluid mixture, wherein the solids/fluid mixture is introduced through the inlet port of the separation chamber and contacted with a cushion of a previously introduced solids/fluid mixture, the solids/fluid mixture being allowed to interact with the cushion of the previously introduced solids/fluid mixture. The at least one solid is separated from the fluid by density difference in the separation chamber. Preferably, the solids/fluid mixture is steam treated lignocellulosic biomass which is inserted in the disclosed apparatus at high velocity.
Abstract:
This specification discloses an operational continuous process to convert lignin as found in ligno-cellulosic biomass before or after converting at least some of the carbohydrates. The process comprises thermally treating the ligno-cellulosic biomass and then subjecting the thermally treated ligno-cellulosic biomass to a step of fiber shives reduction to produce a low viscosity slurry. The continuous process has been demonstrated to create slurry, raise the slurry to ultra high pressures, deoxygenate the lignin in a reactor over a catalyst which not a fixed bed without producing char. The conversion products of the carbohydrates or lignin can be further processed into polyester intermediates for use in polyester preforms and bottles.
Abstract:
This specification discloses a complete method to manufacture polyester articles from freshly harvested ligno-cellulosic biomass. The process steps include pretreating the biomass and the converting the lignin to one of several possible organic steams by deoxygenating and dehydrogenating the lignin in the presence of a Raney Nickel catalyst, separating the organics, and then processing the organics into polyester feedstocks and converting those feedstocks to polyester.
Abstract:
This specification discloses a method to convert a lignin biomass feedstream to a converted lignin stream comprising aromatic compounds. The process comprises combining a lignin biomass feedstream comprising lignin, at least one solvent and at least one catalyst in a reaction vessel. Preferably the ratio of moles of catalyst to moles of lignin is in the range of between 4:1 and 15:1. The lignin biomass feedstream is then deoxygenated to a converted lignin stream at a deoxygenation temperature and a deoxygenation pressure for a deoxygenation time.
Abstract:
Disclosed in this specification is a lignin composition having unique characteristics relative to its characteristics as found in its natural environment. The lignin has been modified so that more lignin decomposes at the lower lignin decomposition temperature than decomposes at the higher lignin decomposition temperature and the lignin composition has a very high surface area relative to naturally occurring lignin compositions.
Abstract:
It is disclosed a combustible article of manufacture comprising a treated lignin composition and a combustible support, wherein the treated lignin composition is attached to at least a portion of an external surface of the combustible support with a force greater than the force of gravity relative to the treated lignin composition. The treated lignin composition comprises solid lignin and has a moisture content in the range of 35% to 80% percent by weight. The combustible support is preferably a hardwood chip, but it may be also softwood chips, coal, coke, and shredded tires. It is also disclosed a fuel composition comprising a plurality of the combustible article.
Abstract:
It is disclosed a combustible article of manufacture comprising a treated lignin composition and a combustible support, wherein the treated lignin composition is attached to at least a portion of an external surface of the combustible support with a force greater than the force of gravity relative to the treated lignin composition. The treated lignin composition comprises solid lignin and has a moisture content in the range of 35% to 80% percent by weight. The combustible support is preferably a hardwood chip, but it may be also softwood chips, coal, coke, and shredded tires. It is also disclosed a fuel composition comprising a plurality of the combustible article.
Abstract:
It is disclosed an apparatus for separating a least one solid from a solids/fluid mixture, said apparatus comprising a separation chamber and a cushion chamber. The separation chamber comprises a top end, a bottom end, at least one wall, and an inlet port for introducing the solids/fluid mixture, said inlet port having an inlet port vector. The cushion chamber comprises at least one boundary wall, and it is adapted to maintain a cushion of the solids/fluid mixture at an intersection of the inlet port vector and the cushion chamber when the separation chamber and the cushion chamber are connected by a communication port at the intersection of the inlet port vector and the at least one wall. The communication port has an area at least a size of an impact area of the solids/fluid mixture on the at least one wall. The communication port may be formed by the erosion of the at least one wall of the separation chamber caused by the solids/fluid mixture at the impact area.It is also disclosed a process for separating a solids/fluid mixture, wherein the solids/fluid mixture is introduced through the inlet port of the separation chamber and contacted with a cushion of a previously introduced solids/fluid mixture, the solids/fluid mixture being allowed to interact with the cushion of the previously introduced solids/fluid mixture. The at least one solid is separated from the fluid by density difference in the separation chamber. Preferably, the solids/fluid mixture is steam treated lignocellulosic biomass which is inserted in the disclosed apparatus at high velocity.
Abstract:
This specification discloses a process to convert a converted lignin feedstream to an aromatic composition comprised of aromatic compounds. The process follows the steps of exposing the converted lignin feedstream to at least one catalyst in the presence of donated hydrogen atoms at an exposure temperature greater than 190° C. for a time of at least thirty minutes. The donated hydrogen atoms are donated from at least one hydrogen donating compound during exposure of the converted lignin feedstream to the at least one catalyst at the exposure temperature. The resulting products are comprised largely of aromatics.
Abstract:
A process for producing polyols from a low viscosity slurry comprising a thermally treated ligno-cellulosic biomass which has been subjected to a fiber shives reduction step is provided. Specifically, a continuous process for catalyzing the formation of polyol products, such as ethylene glycol and propylene glycol, from the low viscosity slurry is provided.