High-carbon biogenic reagents and uses thereof
This invention provides processes and systems for converting biomass into high-carbon biogenic reagents that are suitable for a variety of commercial applications. Some embodiments employ pyrolysis in the presence of an inert gas to generate hot pyrolyzed solids, condensable vapors, and non-condensable gases, followed by separation of vapors and gases, and cooling of the hot pyrolyzed solids in the presence of the inert gas. Additives may be introduced during processing or combined with the reagent, or both. The biogenic reagent may include at least 70 wt %, 80 wt %, 90 wt %, 95 wt %, or more total carbon on a dry basis. The biogenic reagent may have an energy content of at least 12,000 Btu/lb, 13,000 Btu/lb, 14,000 Btu/lb, or 14,500 Btu/lb on a dry basis. The biogenic reagent may be formed into fine powders, or structural objects. The structural objects may have a structure and/or strength that derive from the feedstock, heat rate, and additives.
1 . A biogenic coking composition comprising, on a dry basis:
at least about 55 wt % total carbon;
at most about 5 wt % hydrogen;
at least trace amounts of and at most about 1 wt % nitrogen;
at least about 1 wt % and at most about 10 wt % oxygen;
at least trace amounts of and at most about 0.5 wt % phosphorus;
an additive selected from an acid or a salt thereof, or a base or a salt thereof;
at most about 8 wt % ash;
at most about 0.5 wt % sulfur; and
a heat value of at least about 11,000 Btu/lb.
2 . A biogenic coking composition comprising, on a dry basis:
at least about 55 wt % total carbon;
at most about 5 wt % hydrogen;
at least trace amounts of and at most about 1 wt % nitrogen;
at least about 1 wt % and at most about 10 wt % oxygen;
at least trace amounts of and at most about 0.5 wt % phosphorus;
at most about 0.2 wt % sulfur;
an additive selected from an acid or a salt thereof, or a base or a salt thereof; and
at least about 0.5 wt % to at most about 50 wt % volatile matter.
3 . A biogenic coking composition comprising, on a dry basis:
at least about 55 wt % total carbon;
at most about 5 wt % hydrogen;
at least trace amounts of and at most about 1 wt % nitrogen;
at least about 1 wt % and at most about 10 wt % oxygen;
at least trace amounts of and at most about 0.5 wt % phosphorus;
at most about 0.2 wt % sulfur;
an additive selected from an acid or a salt thereof, or a base or a salt thereof; and
at least about 0.4 wt % to at most about 15 wt % moisture.