Improved processes and systems are disclosed for producing renewable hydrogen suitable for reducing metal ores, as well as for producing activated carbon. Some variations provide a process comprising: pyrolyzing biomass to generate a biogenic reagent comprising carbon and a pyrolysis off-gas; converting the pyrolysis off-gas to additional reducing gas and/or heat; reacting at least some of the biogenic reagent with a reactant to generate a reducing gas; and chemically reducing a metal oxide in the presence of the reducing gas. Some variations provide a process for producing renewable hydrogen by biomass pyrolysis to generate a biogenic reagent, conversion of the biogenic reagent to a reducing gas, and separation and recovery of hydrogen from the reducing gas. A reducing-gas composition for reducing a metal oxide is provided, comprising renewable hydrogen according to a hydrogen-isotope analysis. Reacted biogenic reagent may also be recovered as an activated carbon product. Many variations are disclosed.

An integrated refinery process for the disposal of metal-containing spent coked catalyst from hydrotreating and/or hydrocracking unit operations includes introducing the spent coked catalyst into a membrane wall gasification reactor in the form of flowable particles along with predetermined amounts of oxygen and steam based upon an analysis of the hydrocarbon content of the coke, and optionally, a liquid hydrocarbon; gasifying the feed to produce synthesis gas and a slag material; recovering and subjecting the slag material to further processes in preparation for a leaching step to solubilize and form one or more active phase metal compounds that are recovered from the leaching solution, either separately by sequential processing, or together. The recovered active metal compounds can be used, e.g., in preparing fresh catalyst for use in the refinery's hydroprocessing units.

An integrated refinery process for the disposal of metal-containing spent coked catalyst from hydrotreating and/or hydrocracking unit operations includes introducing the spent coked catalyst into a membrane wall gasification reactor in the form of flowable particles along with predetermined amounts of oxygen and steam based upon an analysis of the hydrocarbon content of the coke, and optionally, a liquid hydrocarbon; gasifying the feed to produce synthesis gas and a slag material; recovering and subjecting the slag material to further processes in preparation for a leaching step to solubilize and form one or more active phase metal compounds that are recovered from the leaching solution, either separately by sequential processing, or together. The recovered active metal compounds can be used, e.g., in preparing fresh catalyst for use in the refinery's hydroprocessing units.

The present invention relates to a process for removing carbon dioxide from synthesis gas using a hygroscopic, physical absorption medium. The process includes cooling the absorption medium and the synthesis gas; water is at least partially removed from the synthesis gas by condensation; carbon dioxide is removed from the cooled synthesis gas via the cooled absorption medium in a physical absorption step at elevated pressure; laden absorption medium is treated in a plurality of serially arranged flash stages, wherein co-absorbed carbon monoxide and hydrogen are removed from the laden absorption medium in at least one first flash stage, and carbon dioxide is removed from the laden absorption medium in a flash stage arranged downstream of the first flash stage. The process features a high rate of separated carbon dioxide and a pure and dry (anhydrous) carbon dioxide product. The invention further relates to a plant for performing the process.

The present invention relates to a process for removing carbon dioxide from synthesis gas using a hygroscopic, physical absorption medium. The process includes cooling the absorption medium and the synthesis gas; water is at least partially removed from the synthesis gas by condensation; carbon dioxide is removed from the cooled synthesis gas via the cooled absorption medium in a physical absorption step at elevated pressure; laden absorption medium is treated in a plurality of serially arranged flash stages, wherein co-absorbed carbon monoxide and hydrogen are removed from the laden absorption medium in at least one first flash stage, and carbon dioxide is removed from the laden absorption medium in a flash stage arranged downstream of the first flash stage. The process features a high rate of separated carbon dioxide and a pure and dry (anhydrous) carbon dioxide product. The invention further relates to a plant for performing the process.

Systems and methods are provided for co-processing of biomass oil in a fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) system that include recovering an additional source of H.sub.2 or synthesis gas from the overhead product gas stream. The additional H.sub.2 can be used to partially hydrogenate biomass oil prior to co-processing the biomass oil in the fluid catalytic cracking system. Additionally or alternately, the additional synthesis gas can represent an additional yield of products from the process, such as an additional yield that can be used for synthesis of further liquid products.

Systems and methods are provided for co-processing of biomass oil in a fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) system that include recovering an additional source of H.sub.2 or synthesis gas from the overhead product gas stream. The additional H.sub.2 can be used to partially hydrogenate biomass oil prior to co-processing the biomass oil in the fluid catalytic cracking system. Additionally or alternately, the additional synthesis gas can represent an additional yield of products from the process, such as an additional yield that can be used for synthesis of further liquid products.

A processing facility is provided. The processing facility includes an asphaltenes and metals (AM) removal system configured to process a feed stream to produce a power generation stream, a hydroprocessing feed stream, and an asphaltenes stream. A power generation system is fed by the power generation feed stream. A hydroprocessing system is configured to process the hydroprocessing feed stream to form a gas stream and a liquid stream. A hydrogen production system is configured to produce hydrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide from the gas feed stream. A carbon dioxide conversion system is configured to produce synthetic hydrocarbons from the carbon dioxide, and a cracking system is configured to process the liquid feed stream.

A processing facility is provided. The processing facility includes an asphaltenes and metals (AM) removal system configured to process a feed stream to produce a power generation stream, a hydroprocessing feed stream, and an asphaltenes stream. A power generation system is fed by the power generation feed stream. A hydroprocessing system is configured to process the hydroprocessing feed stream to form a gas stream and a liquid stream. A hydrogen production system is configured to produce hydrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide from the gas feed stream. A carbon dioxide conversion system is configured to produce synthetic hydrocarbons from the carbon dioxide, and a cracking system is configured to process the liquid feed stream.

A catalytic solar reactor useful in chemical processes, more particularly, useful in endothermic chemical processes. The reactor comprises a reaction pathway defined by an exterior wall and an interior wall, the exterior wall comprising a solar radiation receiver capable of converting solar radiation into heat and transmitting the heat to the reaction pathway. Further, the reaction pathway has disposed therein, in alternating fashion, a plurality of catalytic elements and a plurality of heat transfer elements. Optionally, a supplementary heater, such as a conventional fossil fuel burner, is disposed in a plenum located within the interior of the reactor. The heater is employed as a supplemental source of heat, for example, when solar radiation is unavailable.