Methods and systems for promoting hydrogen gas distribution within cellulosic biomass solids during hydrothermal digestion

摘要

Methods and systems for promoting hydrogen gas distribution within cellulosic biomass solids during hydrothermal digestion. On exemplary method can comprise: heating a first portion of cellulosic biomass solids being contacted by a continuous liquid phase and a second portion of cellulosic biomass solids being contacted by a continuous gas phase in the presence of an upwardly directed flow of molecular hydrogen and a slurry catalyst capable of activating molecular hydrogen in the continuous liquid phase; conveying at least a portion of the continuous liquid phase and at least a portion of the slurry catalyst to a location within the continuous gas phase above at least a portion of the cellulosic biomass solids; and after conveying the continuous liquid phase and the slurry catalyst, releasing them such that they contact the second portion of cellulosic biomass solids.

主权项

1. A method comprising:
providing a first portion of cellulosic biomass solids being contacted by a continuous liquid phase and a second portion of cellulosic biomass solids being contacted by a continuous gas phase, wherein the continuous liquid phase and the continuous gas phase interfacially contacting one another in a hydrothermal digestion unit; wherein a slurry catalyst capable of activating molecular hydrogen is present in the continuous liquid phase; supplying an upwardly directed flow of molecular hydrogen through the cellulosic biomass solids; heating the cellulosic biomass solids and the continuous liquid phase in the presence of the molecular hydrogen, thereby forming an alcoholic component derived from the cellulosic biomass solids; conveying at least a portion of the continuous liquid phase and at least a portion of the slurry catalyst to a location in said hydrothermal digestion unit that is within the continuous gas phase that is above at least a portion of the cellulosic biomass solids; and after said conveying the continuous liquid phase and the slurry catalyst, releasing them such that they contact the second portion of cellulosic biomass solids in the continuous gas phase in said hydrothermal digestion unit.