Patent ID: 8920609

Claim:
A method to fractionate a pyrolysis vapor stream derived from a feedstock into separate fractions comprising the step of manipulating the temperature of a plurality of condensers in a multiple condenser train, wherein the step of manipulating the temperature of a plurality of condensers in a multiple condenser train causes differential condensation of bio-oil vapor components in said plurality of condensers in the multiple condenser train, wherein the pyrolysis vapor stream has a water content, wherein the water content of the pyrolysis vapor stream is further condensed into a high water content bio-oil condensate in at least one condenser in the multiple condenser train, the water content in said high water content bio-oil condensate is of sufficient magnitude to cause spontaneous self-fractionation of the bio-oil contained in the high water content bio-oil condensate, and wherein the step of manipulating the temperature of a plurality of condensers in a multiple condenser train further comprises the steps of: a. manipulating the temperature of a first set of at least one condenser to be maintained at a temperature to promote the rapid cooling of pyrolysis vapors entering the at least one condenser of said first set at approximately 300 to 450° C. which decreases the temperature of vapors exiting the at least one condenser of said first set to 110 to 120° C.; and b. manipulating the temperature of a second set of at least one condenser to be maintained at a temperature to continue cooling of pyrolysis vapors entering the at least one condenser of said second set at 110 to 120° C. which decreases the temperature of vapors exiting the at least one condenser of said second set to 30° C., wherein said second set of at least one condenser is the at least one condenser in the multiple condenser train containing the high water content bio-oil condensate.