摘要 |
<p>The present Invention relates to a hydrothermal process for the preparation of coal-like material from biomass, in which a reaction mixture comprising biomass is heated by contacting with steam, the steam moving counter-currently relative to the reaction mixture, to obtain a reaction mixture comprising activated biomass, and the activated biomass is subsequently polymerized to give a reaction mixture comprising coal-like material. According to another aspect, the present invention relates to a column, preferably a vertically oriented evaporation column, comprising horizontally oriented mass transfer trays, rotor elements mounted on a rotor shaft that is vertically oriented and passes through a rotor shaft opening in the mass transfer trays, and a housing provided with suitable upper and lower inlets and outlets. The column can be used with benefit in the hydrothermal process of the invention. The process is advantageous in that it allows the quick, energy-efficient and stable production of high-quality coal-like material.</p> |