Liquefaction processes and systems and liquefaction process intermediate compositions
Liquefaction processes are provided that can include: providing a biomass slurry solution having a temperature of at least 300° C. at a pressure of at least 2000 psig; cooling the solution to a temperature of less than 150° C.; and depressurizing the solution to release carbon dioxide from the solution and form at least part of a bio-oil foam. Liquefaction processes are also provided that can include: filtering the biomass slurry to remove particulates; and cooling and depressurizing the filtered solution to form the bio-oil foam. Liquefaction systems are provided that can include: a heated biomass slurry reaction zone maintained above 300° C. and at least 2000 psig and in continuous fluid communication with a flash cooling/depressurization zone maintained below 150° C. and between about 125 psig and about atmospheric pressure. Liquefaction systems are also provided that can include a foam/liquid separation system. Liquefaction process intermediate compositions are provided that can include a bio-oil foam phase separated from an aqueous biomass solids solution.
1. A liquefaction process comprising:
providing a biomass slurry solution having a temperature of at least 300° C. at a pressure of at least 2000 psig;
cooling the solution to a temperature of less than 150° C.; and
depressurizing the solution to release carbon dioxide from the solution and form at least part of a bio-oil foam.
2. The liquefaction process of claim 1 further comprising separating the bio-oil foam from an aqueous solution.
3. The liquefaction process of claim 2 further comprising collapsing the bio-oil foam to a liquid.
4. The liquefaction process of claim 1 wherein the temperature of the biomass slurry is from about 300° C. to about 350° C.
5. The liquefaction process of claim 1 wherein the pressure applied to the biomass slurry solution is from about 2000 psig to about 3000 psig.
6. The liquefaction process of claim 1 wherein the solution is cooled to a temperature from about 20° C. to about 110° C.
7. A liquefaction process comprising:
providing a biomass slurry solution having a temperature of at least 300° C. at a pressure of at least 2000 psig;
filtering the slurry to remove particulates; and
cooling and depressurizing the filtered solution to release carbon dioxide from the solution and form at least part of a bio-oil foam.
8. The liquefaction process of claim 7 wherein the filtered solution is cooled to at least 150° C.
9. The liquefaction process of claim 7 wherein the filtered solution is depressurized to about atmospheric pressure.
10. The liquefaction process of claim 7 further comprising recovering the bio-oil foam and collapsing the foam to a liquid.
11. The liquefaction process of claim 10 wherein the recovering the bio-oil foam comprises removing the foam from an aqueous solution.