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 carbon electrode composition comprising, on a dry basis:
at least about 85 wt % total carbon;
at most about 5 wt % hydrogen;
at most about 1 wt % nitrogen;
at least about 1 wt % and at most about 10 wt % oxygen;
at most about 0.5 wt % phosphorus; and
an additive selected from a metal, a metal oxide, a metal hydroxide, a metal halide, or a combination thereof;
wherein the biogenic carbon electrode composition is substantially free of fossil fuel.
2 . The biogenic carbon electrode composition of claim 1 , wherein the additive is selected from magnesium, manganese, aluminum, nickel, chromium, silicon, boron, cerium, molybdenum, phosphorus, tungsten, vanadium, iron halide, iron chloride, iron bromide, magnesium oxide, dolomite, dolomitic lime, fluorite, fluorospar, bentonite, calcium oxide, lime, or a combination thereof.
3 . The biogenic carbon electrode composition of claim 1 , wherein the total carbon consists essentially of biogenic carbon.
4 . A biogenic carbon electrode composition comprising, on a dry basis:
at least about 85 wt % total carbon;
at most about 5 wt % hydrogen;
at most about 1 wt % nitrogen;
at least about 1 wt % and at most about 10 wt % oxygen;
at most about 0.5 wt % phosphorus; and
an additive selected from an acid or a salt thereof, or a base or a salt thereof;
wherein the biogenic carbon electrode composition is substantially free of fossil fuel.
5 . The biogenic carbon electrode composition of claim 4 , wherein the additive is selected from sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, magnesium oxide, hydrogen bromide, hydrogen chloride, sodium silicate, potassium permanganate, or a combination thereof.
6 . The biogenic carbon electrode composition of claim 4 , wherein the total carbon consists essentially of biogenic carbon.
7 . A method of manufacturing a metal comprising:
consuming a biogenic carbon electrode composition, wherein the biogenic carbon electrode composition comprises, on a dry basis:
at least about 85 wt % total carbon;
at most about 5 wt % hydrogen;
at most about 1 wt % nitrogen;
at least about 1 wt % and at most about 10 wt % oxygen;
at most about 0.5 wt % phosphorus; and
an additive selected from a metal, a metal oxide, a metal hydroxide, a metal halide, or a combination thereof;
wherein the biogenic carbon electrode composition is substantially free of fossil fuel.
8 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the metal is aluminum.
9 . A method of manufacturing a metal comprising:
consuming a biogenic carbon electrode composition, wherein the biogenic carbon electrode composition, on a dry basis:
at least about 85 wt % total carbon;
at most about 5 wt % hydrogen;
at most about 1 wt % nitrogen;
at least about 1 wt % and at most about 10 wt % oxygen;
at most about 0.5 wt % phosphorus; and
an additive selected from an acid or a salt thereof, or a base or a salt thereof;
wherein the biogenic carbon electrode composition is substantially free of fossil fuel.
10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the metal is aluminum.
11 . A lithium-ion battery comprising a biogenic carbon anode composition, wherein the biogenic carbon anode composition comprises, on a dry basis:
at least about 85 wt % total carbon;
at most about 5 wt % hydrogen;
at most about 1 wt % nitrogen;
at least about 1 wt % and at most about 10 wt % oxygen;
at most about 0.5 wt % phosphorus; and
an additive selected from a metal, a metal oxide, a metal hydroxide, a metal halide, or a combination thereof;
wherein the biogenic carbon electrode composition is substantially free of fossil fuel.
12 . A lithium-ion battery comprising a biogenic carbon anode composition, wherein the biogenic carbon anode composition comprises, on a dry basis:
at least about 85 wt % total carbon;
at most about 5 wt % hydrogen;
at most about 1 wt % nitrogen;
at least about 1 wt % and at most about 10 wt % oxygen;
at most about 0.5 wt % phosphorus; and
an additive selected from an acid or a salt thereof, or a base or a salt thereof;
wherein the biogenic carbon electrode composition is substantially free of fossil fuel.