Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

Described is a process comprising a series of steps for the production of renewable oil from woody biomass. This oil can be processed directly by a traditional petroleum refinery producing transportation fuels or other similar downstream petroleum products. The cellulosic fraction, substantially reduced in lignin can be used in various downstream processing. The method involves a series of steps: step one, comminuting woody biomass to pass a #20 screen mesh size; step 2, mixing the pulverized material with ethanol, elevating the temperature of the mixture at atmospheric pressure, then subjecting the mixture to high shear (which comprises a pretreatment step); step 3, elevation of the wood/ethanol mixture to supercritical conditions, while mixing. Step 4, recovers the ethanol for reuse via distillation. The resulting oil contains lignin, solid cellulose, and carbohydrate derivatives. After filtration to remove the cellulosic fraction in Step 5, the water soluble materials are removed in a counter current wash to purify the hydrophobic oil. The resulting products are a hydrophobic free flowing oil, cellulose, and carbohydrate derived water soluble stream. Applications of the products include co-firing and co-processing of the oil with hydrocarbon streams, use of the cellulose in biochemical conversion, and solid products. The aqueous carbohydrate stream can provide sufficient energy to supply the entire process via anaerobic digestion to biogas to generate heat and electricity.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim