Patent ID: 8529644
Filing Date: 2013-09-10
Classification: C10J,C10K,Y02E,Y02P

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for converting biomass into synthesis gas, the apparatus comprising: a first molten liquid bath dimensioned and configured to maintain a molten liquid at a first temperature suitable for drying a biomass reactant without degrading the biomass reactant, to yield dried biomass and process gas comprising water, wherein the first bath is dimensioned and configured to transfer molten liquid and dried biomass contained therein to a second molten liquid bath dimensioned and configured to maintain a molten liquid at a second temperature suitable for fast pyrolyzing the dried biomass to yield gas, tar, and char, wherein the second bath is dimensioned and configured to transfer molten liquid, and the gas, tar, and char contained therein to a third molten liquid bath dimensioned and configured to maintain a molten liquid at a third temperature suitable for reforming gas, tar, and char into synthesis gas, wherein the third bath is dimensioned and configured to transfer molten liquid, tar, and char contained therein to a separator dimensioned and configured to separate tar and char from the molten liquid to yield clean molten liquid, wherein the separator is also operationally connected to the first molten liquid bath and dimensioned and configured to transfer clean molten liquid from the separator to the first molten liquid bath; a conduit operationally connecting the first molten liquid bath to the second molten liquid bath and a process gas reservoir, wherein the conduit is dimensioned and configured to transfer moisture from the first molten liquid bath to the second molten liquid bath and the process gas reservoir; and a conduit operationally connecting the process gas reservoir to the third molten liquid bath, wherein the conduit is dimensioned and configured to transfer moisture from the process gas reservoir to the third molten liquid bath.