METHODS AND SYSTEMS EMPLOYING A HORIZONTALLY CONFIGURED DIGESTION UNIT FOR HYDROTHERMAL DIGESTION OF CELLULOSIC BIOMASS SOLIDS

摘要

Biomass compaction during hydrothermal digestion of cellulosic biomass solids may become problematic, particularly as the vertical height of a cellulosic biomass charge increases. Compaction may be decreased in a horizontally configured hydrothermal digestion unit. Methods for digesting cellulosic biomass solids may comprise: providing a hydrothermal digestion unit having a length or a width greater than its height and containing a fluid phase digestion medium and a slurry catalyst capable of activating molecular hydrogen; introducing cellulosic biomass solids to the hydrothermal digestion unit; distributing the cellulosic biomass solids laterally within the hydrothermal digestion unit; after or while the cellulosic biomass solids are being distributed, supplying an upwardly directed flow of molecular hydrogen through the cellulosic biomass solids and the fluid phase digestion medium; and heating the cellulosic biomass solids in the presence of the slurry catalyst and the molecular hydrogen, thereby forming an alcoholic component derived from the cellulosic biomass solids.

主权项

1. A method comprising:
providing a hydrothermal digestion unit having a length or a width that is greater than its height, the hydrothermal digestion unit containing a fluid phase digestion medium and a slurry catalyst capable of activating molecular hydrogen; introducing cellulosic biomass solids to the hydrothermal digestion unit; distributing the cellulosic biomass solids laterally within the hydrothermal digestion unit, the fluid phase digestion medium at least partially covering the cellulosic biomass solids after they have been distributed; after or while the cellulosic biomass solids are being distributed, supplying an upwardly directed flow of molecular hydrogen through the cellulosic biomass solids and the fluid phase digestion medium; and heating the cellulosic biomass solids in the presence of the slurry catalyst and the molecular hydrogen, thereby forming an alcoholic component derived from the cellulosic biomass solids.