Method and apparatus for producing a fuel from a biomass or bio-oil
Methods and reactors for producing a fuel are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the method uses a biomass feedstock and alkane and/or alcohol feedstock, which can be contacted with a metal-containing catalyst to form products including a bio-oil. In some embodiments, oxygen-containing functional groups can be removed from a bio-oil using one or more zeolite thin films.
1. A method of producing a fuel, the method comprising:
contacting feed components comprising a biomass feedstock and one or more of an alkane feedstock and an alcohol feedstock with a metal-containing catalyst under conditions effective to form a first product comprising a bio-oil, wherein the metal-containing catalyst comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of a transition metal, a noble metal, and combinations thereof; and
contacting the first product comprising the bio-oil with at least a first zeolite thin film under conditions effective to remove oxygen containing functional groups and provide a second product.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the first zeolite thin film comprises mesoporous zeolite crystals.
3. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
contacting the second product with at least a second zeolite thin film under conditions effective to provide a fuel having a higher molecular weight than the second product.
4. The method of claim 3 wherein the second zeolite thin film comprises mesoporous zeolite crystals.
5. The method of claim 3 wherein the first and/or second zeolite thin films are on a support selected from the group consisting of ceramic spheres, monoliths, membranes, and combinations thereof.
6. The method of claim 3 wherein the first and/or second zeolite thin films comprise a metal-loaded zeolite.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein the method is a continuous process carried out in a single reactor.
8. The method of claim 7 wherein the method is performed under isothermal conditions.
9. The method of claim 7 wherein the method is performed under autothermal conditions.
10. The method of claim 1 wherein forming the first product comprising the bio oil comprises catalytic partial oxidation.
11. The method of claim 1 wherein the alkane feedstock comprises methane.
12. The method of claim 1 wherein the alcohol feedstock comprises ethanol.
13. The method of claim 1 wherein the biomass feedstock comprises a solid fuel.
14. The method of claim 1 wherein the biomass feedstock comprises a fluid fuel.
15. The method of claim 14 wherein the fluid fuel comprises a liquid a gas, or a combination thereof.
16. The method of claim 1 wherein the biomass feedstock comprises a non-fossilized biomass.
17. The method of claim 16 wherein the non-fossilized biomass comprises animal biomass, plant biomass, municipal waste biomass, or a combination thereof.
18. The method of claim 17 wherein the plant biomass comprises starch, cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, or a combination thereof.
19. The method of claim 1 wherein the biomass feedstock comprises fossilized biomass.
20. The method of claim 19 wherein the fossilized biomass comprises coal and/or petroleum.
21. The method of claim 1 wherein the biomass feedstock is impinged onto the metal-containing catalyst by spraying, and reactive flash volatilization is carried out for 1 millisecond to 1 second.
22. The method of claim 21 wherein the spraying produces droplets and/or an aerosol, and the spraying is carried out by using a fuel injector, pressurized nozzle, fogger, and/or nebulizer.
23. The method of claim 1 wherein the biomass feedstock is volatilized before contacting a surface of the metal-containing catalyst.
24. The method of claim 5 wherein the support comprises a ceramic foam.
25. A method of deoxygenating a bio-oil, the method comprising:
contacting a bio-oil formed by pyrolysis or oxidative thermal decomposition of plant biomass with at least a first zeolite thin film under conditions effective to remove oxygen containing functional groups.
26. A method of producing a fuel, the method comprising:
contacting a bio-oil containing product formed by pyrolysis or oxidative thermal decomposition of plant biomass with at least a first zeolite thin film under conditions effective to remove oxygen containing functional groups and provide a first product.
27. The method of claim 26 further comprising:
contacting the first product with at least a second zeolite thin film under conditions effective to provide a fuel having a higher molecular weight than the first product.
28. A method of producing a fuel, the method comprising:
contacting feed components comprising a plant biomass feedstock and an alkane feedstock with a metal-containing catalyst under conditions effective to form a first product comprising a bio-oil, wherein the metal-containing catalyst comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of a transition metal, a noble metal, and combinations thereof; and
contacting the first product comprising the bio-oil with at least a first zeolite thin film under conditions effective to remove oxygen containing functional groups and provide a second product.