Systems and processes of providing novel thermal energy sources for hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) reactors are described herein. According to various implementations, the systems and processes use concentrated solar thermal energy from a focused high-energy beam to provide sufficient energy for driving the HTL biomass-to-biocrude process. In addition, other implementations convert biowaste, such as municipal biosolids and grease and food waste, to biocrude using anaerobic digesters, and a portion of the biogas generated by the digesters is used to produce the thermal and/or electrical energy used in the HTL reactor for the biomass-to-biocrude process. Furthermore, alternative implementations may include a hybrid system that uses biogas and solar radiation to provide sufficient thermal energy for the HTL reactor.

The present disclosure is directed toward processes for the hydroliquefaction and hydrodesulfurization of petroleum coke using alkali metal catalysts and/or tin co-catalysts.

The present invention relates to a process for producing hydrocarbons, said process comprising the steps, where feedstock of biological origin is degummed, the degummed feedstock is subjected to bleaching and/or hydrolysis, followed by hydroprocessing and catalytic cracking.

There is a process for the production of a liquid fuel and of a gaseous fuel from biomass. The biomass is sent to a pre-treatment section to form a homogeneous phase that can be moved and/or pumped, wherein inert parts are separated from the biomass and the biomass shredded and/or ground to reduce its size. The homogeneous phase obtained is then subjected to subcritical hydrothermal liquefaction at a temperature between 240 C. and 310 C. to form a liquefied phase. The liquefied phase is separated. After separation, the process continues in two alternative and mutually exclusive modes. In the first mode, the first aqueous phase is subjected to an anaerobic reaction with multiple stages producing biogas; the oily phase is separated into a bio-oil and a solid residue. In the second mode, the separate mixed phase is separated by density or dynamics forming a first aqueous phase, bio-oil and a gaseous phase. The first aqueous phase is subjected to a multiple-stage anaerobic reaction from which biogas, a muddy current and a second aqueous phase are produced.

Methods for liquefaction of carbonaceous materials, including methods that use electromagnetic radiation. Systems for liquefaction of carbonaceous materials. The systems may include a circulation conduit for mixing reactants, and/or a heating apparatus that relies on electromagnetic radiation.

The presently disclosed subject matter relates to an industrial system for processing various plant materials to produce marketable materials. Particularly, the system integrates subcritical water extraction technology and includes a pre-processing module and a two-stage extractor (processing module) with constant control of temperature, pressure, and/or residence time. In some embodiments, the final product of the disclosed system can include feedstock constituents for biofuel production (sugars and/or oil), biochar, raw materials for various industries (such as pulp for manufacturing paper or cellulose for use in various industries). The disclosed system can be modular or non-modular, stationary or mobile, and can include prefabricated elements with programmed automatic or manual operation so that it can be easily moved and/or assembled on site.

A system for converting a biomass into a biofuel including a biomass processing station arranged to receive the biomass from a biomass harvester, output the biomass to a hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) converter, and receive a processed biomass from the HTL converter. The system includes a conduit arranged to transport the biomass from the biomass processing station to the HTL converter and transport the processed biomass from the HTL converter to the biomass processing station. The HTL converter includes a heat exchanger arranged to transfer thermal energy from a geothermal heat source to the biomass to convert the biomass into the processed biomass. The system also includes a controller arranged to monitor conditions of the biomass at locations along the conduit and adjust operations of components along the conduit to, thereby, adjust the conditions of the biomass at one or more locations along the conduit.

The invention relates to a feed mixture for use in a process for producing hydrocarbons under increased pressure and temperature conditions, where the feed mixture comprises one or more carbonaceous feedstocks and water, where further a texturing agent has been added to the feed mixture, the texturing agent being adapted to stabilize the feed mixture to prevent separation and further to maintain the feed mixture as a homogenous mixture during a pressurization. Further the invention relates to processes for manufacturing such feed mixture.

The presently disclosed subject matter relates to an industrial system for processing various plant materials to produce marketable materials. Particularly, the system integrates subcritical water extraction technology and includes a pre-processing module and a two-stage extractor (processing module) with constant control of temperature, pressure, and/or residence time. In some embodiments, the final product of the disclosed system can include feedstock constituents for biofuel production (sugars and/or oil), biochar, raw materials for various industries (such as pulp for manufacturing paper or cellulose for use in various industries). The disclosed system can be modular or non-modular, stationary or mobile, and can include prefabricated elements with programmed automatic or manual operation so that it can be easily moved and/or assembled on site.

A pumping system for a hydrothermal biomass converter comprising one or more cylinders, each cylinder having an inlet end and an outlet end, and each cylinder having both a low pressure valve and a high pressure valve at both the inlet and the outlet end respectively, and each cylinder comprising an inner hydraulic actuator segment (1) which is separated from an inlet segment (2) on the inlet end and from an outlet segment (3) on the outlet end by a lower-pressure zone (8) sealed by two or more gaskets (7). Each cylinder further comprises an axially displaceable piston (5) fitted with a piston ring (6), which piston is adapted to move back and forth within the hydraulic actuator segment (1) so as to alternately displace volume in the inlet segment (2) when piston movement is towards the inlet end and in the outlet segment (3) when piston movement is towards the outlet end. When applied to a hydrothermal biomass converter, a biomass feed input system is in fluid communication with each of the low pressure valves at the inlet ends of the one or more cylinders, and a product output system is in fluid communication with each of the low pressure valves at the outlet ends of the one or more cylinders.