SORPTION ENHANCED METHANATION OF BIOMASS

摘要

Disclosed embodiments provide a system and method for producing hydrocarbons from biomass. Certain embodiments of the method are particularly useful for producing substitute natural gas from forestry residues. Certain disclosed embodiments of the method convert a biomass feedstock into a product hydrocarbon by hydropyrolysis and catalytic conversion of the resulting pyrolysis gas to the product hydrocarbon and carbon dioxide in the presence of hydrogen and steam over a CO2 sorbent while simultaneously generating the required hydrogen by reaction with steam. A gas separation means is provided to purify product methane while forcing recycle of internally generated hydrogen so as to obtain high conversion of the biomass feedstock to the desired hydrocarbon product. While methane is a preferred hydrocarbon product, liquid hydrocarbon products can also be delivered.