A slurry suspension comprises: a) carbonaceous material particles having an average diameter D.sub.50 comprised between 0.1 μm and 200 μm; b) a non-ionic surfactant; c) an aqueous phase; and d) an organic phase.

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.

A system and method for torrefying a combination of biomass and biochar colloidal dispersion is provided.

An system for processing biomass comprising a stator, a rotor having an axis of rotation, the rotor being disposed inside the stator and configured to rotate about the axis of rotation therein, a processing chamber defined between the rotor and the stator, an inlet in fluid communication with the processing chamber which is designed to introduce unprocessed biomass into the processing chamber, an outlet in fluid communication with the processing chamber which is designed to carry out processed biomass from the processing chamber and a pump operationally associated with the inlet and the outlet, wherein the pump is configured to pump the unprocessed biomass through the processing chamber.

A process for making biochar from a processed organic-carbon-containing feedstock is described. The processed feedstock is introduced into a substantially microwave-transparent reaction chamber. A microwave source emits microwaves which are directed through the microwave-transparent wall of the reaction chamber to impinge on the feedstock within the reaction chamber. The microwave source may be rotated relative to the reaction chamber. The feedstock is subjected to microwaves until the desired reaction occurs to produce a solid processed biochar fuel.

The invention is directed to a process to prepare a char product and a syngas mixture comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide from a solid torrefied biomass feed comprising the following steps: (i) subjecting the solid biomass feed to a pyrolysis reaction thereby obtaining a gaseous fraction comprising hydrogen, carbon monoxide and a mixture of gaseous organic compounds and a solid fraction comprising of char particles; (ii) separating the char particles as the char product from the gaseous fraction; (iii) subjecting the gaseous fraction obtained in step (ii) to a continuously operated partial oxidation to obtain a syngas mixture further comprising water and having an elevated temperature and (iv) contacting the syngas mixture with a carbonaceous compound to chemically quench the syngas mixture. The temperature of the syngas is reduced in step (iv) from between 1000 and 1600° C. to a temperature of between 800 and 1200° C.

The invention presents a covered cavity kiln pyrolyzer with modulated means of rotation, to promote mixing and exposure of the biomass to heat, thereby allowing complete and efficient pyrolysis of biomass therein. The invention has a portal arrangement for simultaneous entry of fuel and air alongside the exit of emissions and flames to a separate hood structure. In addition to rotational modulation for mixing, the rotational capabilities of the kiln also permit the removal of processed charcoal when the portal is turned downward. The invention also has a system of internal prongs for mixing and sifting removal of char, as well as automated fuel delivery mechanisms and a system of openings to allow insertion of pipes and sensors into the kiln for monitoring and for additional delivery of reagents for better modulation and efficiency by a user during the pyrolyzation process.

The invention is directed to a process to prepare a char product by pyrolysis or mild gasification of a solid biomass feed thereby obtaining a gaseous fraction comprising hydrogen, carbon monoxide and a mixture of gaseous organic compounds and a solid fraction comprising of char particles having a reduced atomic hydrogen over carbon ratio and a reduced oxygen over carbon ratio relative to the solid biomass feed. The solid biomass feed are pellets of a solid torrefied biomass feed. The pyrolysis or mild gasification is performed at a temperature of between 500 and 800° C. and at a solid residence time of between 10 and 60 minutes.

A reactor for drying and torrefaction, configured for torrefying biomass, including a chamber in which two separate areas are delimited, a mechanism for mixing and transferring biomass from one end of the chamber to the other, a drying device in an upstream area of the chamber configured to dry the biomass introduced into the reactor, a torrefaction device in a downstream area of the chamber configured to torrefy biomass dried in the upstream area, and a transfer and sealing system configured to allow dried biomass to be transferred from the upstream area to the downstream area at time intervals, and to make the two areas mutually sealed during each interval. Such a reactor may, for example, find application to torrefaction of lignocellulosic biomass.

A compact, transportable batch-process supertorrefaction system includes at least one supertorrefying unit, a liquid tank containing molten salt, and a wash tank including a plurality of basins containing water having different temperatures and different salinity. The liquid tank and the wash tank sequentially supply the molten salt and the water to a receiving space of the at least one supertorrefying unit to supertorrefy the biomass into charcoal and to rinse and cool the charcoal, respectively. The plurality of basins of the wash unit sequentially supply water having different temperatures and salinity to the same receiving space to gradually rinse and cool the charcoal. The biomass is not moved in the at least one supertorrfeying unit during biomass supertorrefaction. The charcoal is not moved during charcoal cooling.