BIOMASS DIGESTER WITH DOUBLE DRAFT TUBE CIRCULATION SYSTEM

摘要

A biomass digestion method comprises introducing biomass solids into a digestion unit including a circulation system comprising an inlet, a pump, a first injector, and a second injector; providing a liquid digestion medium containing a catalyst in the digestion unit; circulating the digestion medium through the fluid circulation system; sparging hydrogen through the biomass solids; and maintaining the biomass and catalyst at a temperature sufficient to cause digestion of the solids; operating the unit so as to form a gas-filled headspace above the digestion medium; wherein the unit further comprises at least one updraft tube having the first injector therewithin and oriented upward such that fluid flowing from the first fluid injector draws fluid from the reactor bottom into the draft tube; and at least one downdraft tube having the second injector therewithin such that fluid flowing from the second injector draws gas from the headspace into the downdraft tube.