Abstract:
The present application relates to an iron impregnated biochar and its use as a fertilizer. The iron impregnated biochar of the present application has a ratio of iron (III) to iron (II) ranging from 5:1 to 10:1. The biochar may be produced by a method including treating the biomass with an iron (II) ion solution, pyrolyzing the iron (II)-treated biomass in an oxidative environment and recovering the biochar product from the pyrolyzed iron (II)-treated biomass.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a method of fractionating bio-oil vapors which involves providing bio-oil vapors comprising bio-oil constituents. The bio-oil vapors are cooled in a first stage which comprises a condenser having passages for the bio-oil separated by a heat conducting wall from passages for a coolant. The coolant in the condenser of the first stage is maintained at a substantially constant temperature, set at a temperature in the range of 75 to 100° C., to condense a first liquid fraction of liquefied bio-oil constituents in the condenser of the first stage. The first liquid fraction of liquified bio-oil constituents from the condenser in the first stage is collected. Also disclosed are steps for subsequently recovering further liquid fractions of liquefied bio-oil constituents. Particular compositions of bio-oil condensation products are also described.
Abstract:
The present application discloses low temperature, low pressure methods (LTLP) for upgrading and/or stabilizing bio-oil or a bio-oil fraction. One method comprises providing a bio-oil or bio-oil fraction and hydrogen, which are reacted in the presence of a catalyst at a temperature of less than 150° C. and a pressure of less than 100 bar (absolute) to produce a hydrogenated liquid oil at a carbon yield of over 75%. Another method comprises providing a bio-oil or bio-oil fraction, providing oxygen reducing reaction conditions, and reacting the bio-oil or bio-oil fraction under the oxygen reducing reaction conditions at LTLP to produce an upgraded bio-oil product containing fewer carbonyls than the bio-oil or bio-oil fraction. Yet another method comprises providing a bio-oil or bio-oil fraction and a solution comprising one or more fermentation organisms and a sugar source. The solution and bio-oil or bio-oil fraction are combined to obtain a fermentation mixture, which is incubated at 15° C. to 30° C. for 16 to 72 hours to produce an upgraded bio-oil fermentation product containing fewer carbonyls than the bio-oil or bio-oil fraction.
Abstract:
The present invention is directed to a pyrolysis method. The method involves providing a biomass and subjecting the biomass, in a reactor operating under conditions of parasitic heat loss of less than 1% of the biomass' chemical energy content, to partial oxidation where, during steady state operation of the reactor, oxygen is provided to the reactor in sufficient quantity to achieve an equivalence ratio of 0.06 to 0.15 to release sufficient energy to support endothermic pyrolysis reactions and produce condensable organic compounds as the major portion of the pyrolysis products.
Abstract:
The present invention is directed to a method of producing a solid fuel which includes providing a bio-oil and thermally curing the bio-oil to form a carbonaceous solid. The present invention is also directed to a method of producing a solid fuel which includes providing a bio-oil; subjecting the bio-oil to an extraction procedure with an aqueous liquid to produce a concentrated pyrolytic sugar-containing extract and a water insoluble raffinate comprising a lignin-derived phenolic oil; and thermally curing the phenolic oil to form a carbonaceous solid.
Abstract:
The present application relates to an iron impregnated biochar and its use as a fertilizer. The iron impregnated biochar of the present application has a ratio of iron (III) to iron (II) ranging from 5:1 to 10:1. The biochar may be produced by a method including treating the biomass with an iron (II) ion solution, pyrolyzing the iron (II)-treated biomass in an oxidative environment and recovering the biochar product from the pyrolyzed iron (II)-treated biomass.
Abstract:
A bio-oil formulation, useful as an asphalt binder substitute in pavement and roofing shingles, includes bio-oil and a polymer additive. The bio-oil binder can include an asphalt additive. The bio-oil binder can be emulsified with water and a surfactant for use as a weatherproofing sealant or as an adhesive. A method for making the bio-oil binder is disclosed.
Abstract:
The present application discloses low temperature, low pressure methods (LTLP) for upgrading and/or stabilizing bio-oil or a bio-oil fraction. One method comprises providing a bio-oil or bio-oil fraction and hydrogen, which are reacted in the presence of a catalyst at a temperature of less than 150° C. and a pressure of less than 100 bar (absolute) to produce a hydrogenated liquid oil at a carbon yield of over 75%. Another method comprises providing a bio-oil or bio-oil fraction, providing oxygen reducing reaction conditions, and reacting the bio-oil or bio-oil fraction under the oxygen reducing reaction conditions at LTLP to produce an upgraded bio-oil product containing fewer carbonyls than the bio-oil or bio-oil fraction. Yet another method comprises providing a bio-oil or bio-oil fraction and a solution comprising one or more fermentation organisms and a sugar source. The solution and bio-oil or bio-oil fraction are combined to obtain a fermentation mixture, which is incubated at 15° C. to 30° C. for 16 to 72 hours to produce an upgraded bio-oil fermentation product containing fewer carbonyls than the bio-oil or bio-oil fraction.
Abstract:
An asphalt binder includes asphalt and an asphalt binder modifier, which includes bio-oil. The asphalt binder can include a carboxyl additive. The asphalt can optionally include polymer-modified asphalt. An asphalt material includes mineral aggregate, an asphalt material binder including asphalt, and an asphalt binder modifier including bio-oil. A method for making the asphalt binder is disclosed. The asphalt material includes asphalt pavement and roofing shingles. The asphalt binder can be emulsified with water and a surfactant for use as a weatherproofing sealant or as an adhesive.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a method for pretreating lignocellulosic biomass containing alkali and/or alkaline earth metal (AAEM). The method comprises providing a lignocellulosic biomass containing AAEM; determining the amount of the AAEM present in the lignocellulosic biomass; identifying, based on said determining, the amount of a mineral acid sufficient to completely convert the AAEM in the lignocellulosic biomass to thermally-stable, catalytically-inert salts; and treating the lignocellulosic biomass with the identified amount of the mineral acid, wherein the treated lignocellulosic biomass contains thermally-stable, catalytically inert AAEM salts.