A system and method for a multi-chamber biomass reactor that includes: a reaction chamber, comprising the primary chamber for biomass processing; an outlet chamber, adjacent and connected to the reaction chamber; a biomass inlet, comprising a region for the input of biomass into the biomass reactor; a conveyor system, comprising components that actuate the biomass, and other components, through the biomass reactor from the biomass inlet through the reaction chamber, and through the outlet chamber; and a gas exchange system, that controls gas flow within the biomass reactor, comprising: at least one air vent; and an exhaust. The system functions to process biomass, whereby the system converts input biomass into energy rich products, such as coal, char, bio-fuel, fertilizer, briquettes, electricity. The system and method may further include a variable incline module, comprising actuating components that can alter the incline and/or height of the biomass reactor and/or biomass reactor components.

A system and method for a multi-chamber biomass reactor that includes: a reaction chamber, comprising the primary chamber for biomass processing; an outlet chamber, adjacent and connected to the reaction chamber; a biomass inlet, comprising a region for the input of biomass into the biomass reactor; a conveyor system, comprising components that actuate the biomass, and other components, through the biomass reactor from the biomass inlet through the reaction chamber, and through the outlet chamber; and a gas exchange system, that controls gas flow within the biomass reactor, comprising: at least one air vent; and an exhaust. The system functions to process biomass, whereby the system converts input biomass into energy rich products, such as coal, char, bio-fuel, fertilizer, briquettes, electricity. The system and method may further include a variable incline module, comprising actuating components that can alter the incline and/or height of the biomass reactor and/or biomass reactor components.

A system for gasifying a carbonaceous feedstock, such as municipal waste, to generate power includes a devolatilization reactor that creates char from the feedstock and a gasifier that creates a product gas from both the char and from volatiles released when devolatilizing the feedstock. The product gas is reacted in a fuel cell to create electrical energy and process heat. The process heat is used to heat the devolatilization reactor and the gasifier. The gasifier comprises a plurality of configurable circuits that can each be tuned to meet the individual needs of the char material being gasified.

A system for producing biocoal and biochar includes at least one rotary compression unit (RCU) having a barrel, a compression screw housed within the barrel, a feed for receiving biomass and at least one exit for releasing biochar and gasses formed in the RCU. A first exit stream is produced that includes biochar and a portion of the remaining gasses, and a second exit stream is produced that includes biocoal. A gas crossover is provided that connects the first and second exit stream having a mechanism for transporting gasses from the first exit stream to the second exit stream thereby condensing a portion of the remaining gasses into the biocoal. In one form two RCUs are included connected to two condensers.

The present invention relates to a method and system for torrefaction of biomass and combustion of generated torrefaction gases. The torrefaction gases released from the biomass during the torrefaction reaction are withdrawn from the reactor and into a first burning zone. A secondary stream of air is introduced to the first burning zone to combust the torrefaction gases whereupon hot flue gases are obtained. Part of the hot flue gases are directed to a mixing unit. The rest of the hot flue gas is directed to a second burning zone for complete combustion of the flue gases. The fully combusted flue gases obtained in the second burning zone are directed to a heat recovery unit where the temperature of the flue gas is decreased. Part of the cold flue gases are directed to the mixing unit where it is mixed with the hot flue gases such that a stream of cooled flue gases is obtained. The stream of the cooled flue gases are diverted into the torrefaction reactor for direct heating of the biomass.

The invention relates to a method for producing a biofuel from an aqueous mixture of carbonized biomass obtained by means of a method for the hydrothermal carbonization of biomass, characterized in that it comprises: (a) grinding the aqueous mixture of carbonized biomass until a maximum size of less than 500 micrometers of the particles contained in the mixture is obtained; (b) applying a method for the physical separation of inorganic substances; and (c) reducing the moisture content until a water content of between 25 and 55 wt. % is reached. The invention also relates to the biofuel obtained by said method, and to the use thereof in various applications.

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for thermochemically processing material, and in particular relates to the torrefaction of organic material such as biomass, in particular to improve the energy content of the material, the method involving enclosing the material in a reactor which is then evacuated by means of a fluid driven vacuum pump to establish an oxygen free environment within the reactor, heating the material to above 200° C. to liberate process by-products such as volatile gases and/or oils, extracting the liberated volatile gases and/or oils from the enclosure and entraining same within the fluid driving the vacuum pump.

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.

A combined hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) and catalytic hydrothermal gasification (CHG) system and process are described that convert various biomass-containing sources into separable bio-oils and aqueous effluents that contain residual organics. Bio-oils may be converted to useful bio-based fuels and other chemical feedstocks. Residual organics in HTL aqueous effluents may be gasified and converted into medium-BTU product gases and directly used for process heating or to provide energy.

A combined hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) and catalytic hydrothermal gasification (CHG) system and process are described that convert various biomass-containing sources into separable bio-oils and aqueous effluents that contain residual organics. Bio-oils may be converted to useful bio-based fuels and other chemical feedstocks. Residual organics in HTL aqueous effluents may be gasified and converted into medium-BTU product gases and directly used for process heating or to provide energy.