THERMAL CONVERSION OF BIOMASS TO VALUABLE FUELS, CHEMICAL FEEDSTOCKS AND CHEMICALS

摘要

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 (61) that is operated at a temperature of at least 1400 DEG 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 DEG C or less. The resulting metal carbide is separated from the reaction products or, alternatively, when quenched with water, hydrolyzed to provide a recoverable hydrocarbon gas feedstock.