A method of extraction of a liquid hydrocarbon fraction from carbonaceous waste feedstock. Waste material is slurried, by grinding or comminution of same into a substantially uniform stream of ground waste material. Fluid would be added as required to supplement the ground waste to yield a slurry of desirable parametersthe fluid used would be primarily liquid effluent fraction recovered from previous operation of the method. Feedstock slurry is placed into a pressurized heat transfer reactor where it is maintained at temperature and pressure for a predetermined period of time. On discharge from the heat transfer reactor the processed emulsion is separated into liquid hydrocarbon fraction, liquid effluent fraction and solid waste fraction. The method can be used in batch or continuous feeding modes. The useable waste stream for the method is ample and diverseresulting in a substantial source of recovered hydrocarbon fluids. A novel heat transfer reactor design is also disclosed.

A method of producing pipeline quality bitumen, includes the steps of: receiving bitumen diluted with a diluent solvent from a secondary froth treatment process; thermally dehydrating the diluted bitumen at a temperature above about 100 C. and below the boiling point of the diluent solvent; mixing a high-density, non-miscible solvent (HD-NMS) and optionally, a low density, miscible solvent (LD-MS) to the diluted bitumen; and separating any remaining fine solids and precipitates by gravitational separation at a temperature above about 100 C. and below the boiling point of the diluent solvent.

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 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 method of depolymerizing coal includes preparing a high temperature depolymerizing medium consisting of heavy hydrocarbon oils and mixing it with coal to form a mixture, performing an optional first distillation at a temperature below 250 C. to recover naphthalene, heating the mixture to a temperature between 350 C. and 450 C. to create a digested coal, centrifuging the digested coal to remove ash and obtain a centrate, and distillation of the centrate into separate fractions. The high temperature depolymerizing medium may be a heavy hydrocarbon with a hydrogen to carbon (H/C) ratio higher than 7.0% and may include liquids chosen from the group consisting of: coal tar distillate, decant oil, anthracene oil, and heavy aromatic oils. The high temperature depolymerizing medium may be blended with an oil, preferably with H/C ratio higher than 10.0%, such as soybean oil, other biomass derived oil, lignin, petroleum oil, pyrolysis oil such that the overall hydrogen-to-carbon mass ratio in a digestion reactor is over 7.0% for the mixture of depolymerizing medium and coal. The depolymerized coal is an aromatic liquid that can itself be, either wholly or in part, a depolymerizing medium so that the process can be repeated.

A process of producing a distillate fuel from coal includes: preparing a biomass-derived coal solvent; dissolving the coal in the biomass-derived solvent; and separating undissolved coal and mineral matter to produce a syncrude. In certain embodiments, the process further includes subjecting the syncrude to a hydrotreatment/hydrogenation process to produce a distillate fuel. In certain embodiments, the biomass-derived solvent is a hydrogen-donor solvent. A method to improve direct coal liquefaction includes: using a non-hydrogenated lipid in a direct coal liquefaction process to facilitate coal depolymerization. In certain embodiments, the lipid is a polyunsaturated biobased oil. A method for using a biomass-derived feedstock as a hydrogen donor includes: providing a biomass-derived feedstock; modifying the feedstock to improve its usefulness as a hydrogen donor; and conducting a transfer hydrogenation process using the modified feedstock as a hydrogen donor. In certain embodiments, the transfer hydrogenation process is a direct coal liquefaction process.

The present invention relates to the field of biological energy, in particular to a biomass liquefaction process and fuel oil and chemical raw materials prepared by the same. The biomass liquefaction process comprises the following steps: preparing a slurry comprising a first catalyst and a biomass; performing a first hydrogenation reaction by introducing hydrogen to the slurry to obtain a first stage hydrogenation product; performing a second hydrogenation reaction by adding a second catalyst and introducing hydrogen into the first stage hydrogenation product to obtain a second stage hydrogenation product; and subjecting the second stage hydrogenation product to separation operation to obtain a fuel oil and chemical raw material; wherein the first hydrogenation reaction is controlled to have a reaction pressure of 13-25 MPa and a reaction temperature of 200-350? C., and the second hydrogenation reaction is controlled to have a reaction pressure of 13-25 MPa and a reaction temperature of 380-480? C. The present invention provides a biomass liquefaction process with high reaction efficiency and high liquid yield without coke generation.

The present invention discloses a method for direct liquefaction of biomass. The method comprises the following steps: (1) mixing a biomass, a hydrogenation catalyst and a hydrogen-donor solvent to prepare a biomass slurry; (2) carrying out a first liquefaction reaction with the biomass slurry and hydrogen gas to obtain a first reaction product; (3) carrying out a second liquefaction reaction with the first reaction product and hydrogen gas to obtain a second reaction product; (4) subjecting the second reaction product to a first gas-liquid separation at a temperature of 290-460 DEG C. to produce a first liquid phase and a first gas phase; (5) subjecting the first gas phase to a second gas-liquid separation at a temperature of 30-60 DEG C. to obtain a second liquid phase, and mixing the first liquid phase with the second liquid phase to obtain a liquid phase mixture; (6) carrying out a first distillation on the liquid phase mixture to obtain a light fraction and a heavy fraction; and (7) carrying out a second distillation on the heavy fraction to separate out a distillate oil and a residue, wherein the light fraction and the distillate oil are final liquid of the liquefaction. By utilizing the method for direct liquefaction of biomass, the obtained final liquid has a high yield and a low solid content of residue.

A Heated Airlock Feeder is disclosed. The Heated Airlock Feeder allows for the continuous feeding of solid, shredded plastic into a reactor tube surrounded by clamshell burner boxes. Inside of the reactor tube, two augers, one with right hand flights and one with left hand flights are welded to smooth augers to create two continuous augers that push solid plastic material, liquid plastic material and molten plastic material through two small holes. As the plastic is in its molten state while being forced through the two small holes, an airlock is formed preventing air form entering the system. As the solid, shredded plastic is fed into the system, an airlock is formed allowing for the continuous feeding of the system. The clamshell burner boxes allow for convection and radiant heat allowing for even, continuous heat.

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.