Aspects provide for volatilizing a biomass-based fuel stream, removing undesirable components from the resulting volatiles stream, and combusting the resulting stream (e.g., in a kiln). Removal of particles, ash, and/or H2O from the volatiles stream improves its economic value and enhances the substitution of legacy (e.g., fossil) fuels with biomass-based fuels. Aspects may be particularly advantageous for upgrading otherwise low-quality biomass to a fuel specification sufficient for industrial implementation. A volatilization reactor may include a fluidized bed reactor, which may comprise multiple stages and/or a splashgenerator. A splashgenerator may impart directed momentum to a portion of the bed to increase bed transport via directed flow.

Aspects provide for volatilizing a biomass-based fuel stream, removing undesirable components from the resulting volatiles stream, and combusting the resulting stream (e.g., in a kiln). Removal of particles, ash, and/or H2O from the volatiles stream improves its economic value and enhances the substitution of legacy (e.g., fossil) fuels with biomass-based fuels. Aspects may be particularly advantageous for upgrading otherwise low-quality biomass to a fuel specification sufficient for industrial implementation. A volatilization reactor may include a fluidized bed reactor, which may comprise multiple stages and/or a splashgenerator. A splashgenerator may impart directed momentum to a portion of the bed to increase bed transport via directed flow.

A continuous char separation reactor (800) comprising a container (301) configured to contain a bed of char and bed solids and a settling zone (122) disposed within a first region of the container and configured to receive an input flow (180) comprising the char and bed solids. The settling zone (122) comprises a settling means (334) configured to segregate the received char and bed solids into a char fraction (001) having a ratio of char to bed solids that is at least 5 larger than that of the input flow (180) and a depleted portion (002) of the bed solids having a lower ratio of char to bed solids than that of the input flow.

A continuous char separation reactor (800) comprising a container (301) configured to contain a bed of char and bed solids and a settling zone (122) disposed within a first region of the container and configured to receive an input flow (180) comprising the char and bed solids. The settling zone (122) comprises a settling means (334) configured to segregate the received char and bed solids into a char fraction (001) having a ratio of char to bed solids that is at least 5 larger than that of the input flow (180) and a depleted portion (002) of the bed solids having a lower ratio of char to bed solids than that of the input flow.

Various aspects provide for a fluidized bed reactor comprising a container having a bed of bed solids and a splashgenerator configured to impart a directed momentum to a portion of the bed solids. A bedwall may separate the bed solids into first and second reaction zones, and the directed momentum may be used to transfer bed solids from one zone to the other. A return passage may provide for return of the transferred bed solids, providing for circulation between the zones. A compact circulating bubbling fluidized bed may be integrated with a reactor having first and second stages, each with its own fluidization gas and ambient. A multistage reactor may comprise a gaswall separating at least the gas phases above two different portions of the bed. A gaslock beneath the gaswall may provide reduced gas transport while allowing bed transport, reducing contamination.

Various aspects provide for a fluidized bed reactor comprising a container having a bed of bed solids and a splashgenerator configured to impart a directed momentum to a portion of the bed solids. A bedwall may separate the bed solids into first and second reaction zones, and the directed momentum may be used to transfer bed solids from one zone to the other. A return passage may provide for return of the transferred bed solids, providing for circulation between the zones. A compact circulating bubbling fluidized bed may be integrated with a reactor having first and second stages, each with its own fluidization gas and ambient. A multistage reactor may comprise a gaswall separating at least the gas phases above two different portions of the bed. A gaslock beneath the gaswall may provide reduced gas transport while allowing bed transport, reducing contamination.