SOLVENT-ENHANCED BIOMASS LIQUEFACTION

摘要

The present invention provides an improved method for solvent liquefaction of biomass to produce liquid products such as transportation fuel. The method uses a novel solvent combination that promotes liquefaction relatively quickly, and it reduces the need to transport large amounts of hydrogen or hydrogen-carrying solvents. It operates at lower pressure than previous methods, does not require a catalyst or hydrogen gas or CO input, and provides very high conversion of biomass into a bio-oil that can be further processed in a petroleum refinery. It also beneficially provides a way to recycle a portion of the crude liquefaction product for use as part of the solvent combination for the biomass liquefaction reaction.

主权项

1. A process for liquefaction of biomass comprising:
(a) combining biomass with a solvent combination comprising at least one liquefaction solvent having a Hansen radius of interaction with coniferyl alcohol of less than 15 MPa1/2 and at least one make-up solvent to form a liquefaction mixture, and (b) heating the liquefaction mixture to a temperature of at least about 250° C. under pressure of at least 200 psi, without adding H2, to produce a reaction product comprising a liquid crude bio-oil product.