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.

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.

This document describes methods for pretreating coal to create either a dried coal or a char product that is stable in the outdoor environment and is more efficient as a feedstock for gasification or other processes than the original coal. Embodiments of the methods include pulverizing and pelletizing the coal, and pretreating the coal pellets to obtain a stable pellet of either dried coal or a stable pellet of chared coal (coal char). The pellets created by the described methods have undergone deoxygenation and carbonization improving their handling and storage properties and, in some cases, energy density. Pore structures within the pellets are stabilized physically and chemically so that the uptake of moisture into dry coal, that leads to internal heat generation, is greatly reduced. Chars are also, therefore, stable against transitions from a dry state to a wet state and less prone to self-ignition.

This document describes methods for pretreating coal to create either a dried coal or a char product that is stable in the outdoor environment and is more efficient as a feedstock for gasification or other processes than the original coal. Embodiments of the methods include pulverizing and pelletizing the coal, and pretreating the coal pellets to obtain a stable pellet of either dried coal or a stable pellet of chared coal (coal char). The pellets created by the described methods have undergone deoxygenation and carbonization improving their handling and storage properties and, in some cases, energy density. Pore structures within the pellets are stabilized physically and chemically so that the uptake of moisture into dry coal, that leads to internal heat generation, is greatly reduced. Chars are also, therefore, stable against transitions from a dry state to a wet state and less prone to self-ignition.

The invention provides a method of pyrolysis carbonization and catalysis for biomass, which comprises: using waste biomass from agriculture and forestry as raw materials, conducting pyrolysis carbonization reaction at 630˜720° C. under oxygen-limited or oxygen-insulation conditions, obtaining biochar and bio-tar-containing pyrolysis oil-gas mixture after gas-solid separation of the products; treating the bio-tar-containing pyrolysis oil-gas mixture obtained with a biochar catalyst at 690˜850° C., carrying out bio-tar catalytic cracking to obtain small molecular combustible gas and light bio-tar, preserving heat and ageing the biochar obtained at 530˜650° C. then making a kind of biochar catalyst. The invention further provides an integrated device used for the method of pyrolysis carbonization and catalysis for biomass, comprising: a spiral feeder, a pyrolysis carbonization device and a catalysis device. The method of pyrolysis carbonization and catalysis for biomass and the device thereof according to the invention can solve the problems presented in the existing methods such as high energy consumption, high cost, and low utilization ratio of energy.

The invention provides a method of pyrolysis carbonization and catalysis for biomass, which comprises: using waste biomass from agriculture and forestry as raw materials, conducting pyrolysis carbonization reaction at 630˜720° C. under oxygen-limited or oxygen-insulation conditions, obtaining biochar and bio-tar-containing pyrolysis oil-gas mixture after gas-solid separation of the products; treating the bio-tar-containing pyrolysis oil-gas mixture obtained with a biochar catalyst at 690˜850° C., carrying out bio-tar catalytic cracking to obtain small molecular combustible gas and light bio-tar, preserving heat and ageing the biochar obtained at 530˜650° C. then making a kind of biochar catalyst. The invention further provides an integrated device used for the method of pyrolysis carbonization and catalysis for biomass, comprising: a spiral feeder, a pyrolysis carbonization device and a catalysis device. The method of pyrolysis carbonization and catalysis for biomass and the device thereof according to the invention can solve the problems presented in the existing methods such as high energy consumption, high cost, and low utilization ratio of energy.

A heat treatment apparatus has a first screw conveyor, a second screw conveyor, a first nozzle pipe, and a second nozzle pipe. If the first screw conveyor rotates right, the first nozzle pipe is disposed on the left lateral side of the first screw conveyor. If the first screw conveyor rotates left, the first nozzle pipe is disposed on the right lateral side of the first screw conveyor. If the second screw conveyor rotates right, the second nozzle pipe is disposed on the left lateral side of the second screw conveyor. If the second screw conveyor rotates left, the second nozzle pipe is disposed on the right lateral side of the second screw conveyor.

A heat treatment apparatus has a first screw conveyor, a second screw conveyor, a first nozzle pipe, and a second nozzle pipe. If the first screw conveyor rotates right, the first nozzle pipe is disposed on the left lateral side of the first screw conveyor. If the first screw conveyor rotates left, the first nozzle pipe is disposed on the right lateral side of the first screw conveyor. If the second screw conveyor rotates right, the second nozzle pipe is disposed on the left lateral side of the second screw conveyor. If the second screw conveyor rotates left, the second nozzle pipe is disposed on the right lateral side of the second screw conveyor.

In some variations, the invention provides a biocarbon pellet comprising: 35 wt % to 99 wt % of a biogenic reagent, wherein the biogenic reagent comprises, on a dry basis, at least 60 wt % carbon; 0 wt % to 35 wt % water moisture; and 1 wt % to 30 wt % of a binder, wherein the biocarbon pellet is characterized by an adjustable Hardgrove Grindability Index (HGI) from about 30 to about 120, as shown in the Examples. The pellet HGI is adjustable by controlling process conditions and the pellet binder. The binder can be an organic binder or an inorganic binder. The carbon is renewable as determined from a measurement of the .sup.14C/.sup.12C isotopic ratio. Many processes of making and using the biocarbon pellets are described. Applications of the biocarbon pellets include pulverized coal boilers, furnaces for making metals such as iron or silicon, and gasifiers for producing reducing gas.

In some variations, the invention provides a biocarbon pellet comprising: 35 wt % to 99 wt % of a biogenic reagent, wherein the biogenic reagent comprises, on a dry basis, at least 60 wt % carbon; 0 wt % to 35 wt % water moisture; and 1 wt % to 30 wt % of a binder, wherein the biocarbon pellet is characterized by an adjustable Hardgrove Grindability Index (HGI) from about 30 to about 120, as shown in the Examples. The pellet HGI is adjustable by controlling process conditions and the pellet binder. The binder can be an organic binder or an inorganic binder. The carbon is renewable as determined from a measurement of the .sup.14C/.sup.12C isotopic ratio. Many processes of making and using the biocarbon pellets are described. Applications of the biocarbon pellets include pulverized coal boilers, furnaces for making metals such as iron or silicon, and gasifiers for producing reducing gas.