A solids circulation system receives a gas stream containing char or other reacting solids from a first reactor. The solids circulation system includes a cyclone configured to receive the gas stream from the first reactor, a dipleg from the cyclone to a second reactor, and a riser from the second reactor which merges with the gas stream received by the cyclone. The second reactor has a dense fluid bed and converts the received materials to gaseous products. A conveying fluid transports a portion of the bed media from the second reactor through the riser to mix with the gas stream prior to cyclone entry. The bed media helps manipulate the solids that is received by the cyclone to facilitate flow of solids down the dipleg into the second reactor. The second reactor provides additional residence time, mixing and gas-solid contact for efficient conversion of char or reacting solids.

Processes for producing high biogenic concentration Fischer-Tropsch liquids derived from the organic fraction of municipal solid wastes (MSW) feedstock that contains a relatively high concentration of biogenic carbon (derived from plants) and a relatively low concentration of non-biogenic carbon (derived from fossil sources) wherein the biogenic content of the Fischer-Tropsch liquids is the same as the biogenic content of the feedstock.

Process for manufacturing a hydrogen-containing synthesis gas from a natural gas feedstock, comprising the conversion of said natural gas into a raw product gas and purification of said product gas, the process having a heat input provided by combustion of a fuel; said process comprises a step of conversion of a carbonaceous feedstock, and at least a portion of said fuel is a gaseous fuel obtained by said step of conversion of said carbonaceous feedstock.

Process for manufacturing a hydrogen-containing synthesis gas from a natural gas feedstock, comprising the conversion of said natural gas into a raw product gas and purification of said product gas, the process having a heat input provided by combustion of a fuel; said process comprises a step of conversion of a carbonaceous feedstock, and at least a portion of said fuel is a gaseous fuel obtained by said step of conversion of said carbonaceous feedstock.

Processes for producing high biogenic concentration Fischer-Tropsch liquids derived from the organic fraction of municipal solid wastes (MSW) feedstock that contains a relatively high concentration of biogenic carbon (derived from plants) and a relatively low concentration of non-biogenic carbon (derived from fossil sources) wherein the biogenic content of the Fischer-Tropsch liquids is the same as the biogenic content of the feedstock.

An apparatus and process are disclosed for producing hydrocarbons from biomass, the apparatus comprising: a pyrolysis reactor (2) in which dry biomass (Bd) is heated in an environment substantially free from oxygen and halogens, wherein a pyrolysis product (PP) and char (C) is produced; a gasification reactor (3) in which the separated char (C) is heated in an environment containing steam (Wst) so as to reduce said char (C) to produce a synthesis gas (Sh), a gas cooler (4) in which the produced synthesis gas (Sh) is cooled to a cooled synthesis gas (Srt); a conditioning and pressure system (5), in which the cooled synthesis gas (Srt) is refined so as to produce a purified synthesis gas (Sp); a separation device (6), in which hydrogen gas (H2) is separated from the purified synthesis gas (Sp). The apparatus also comprises a hydrogenation device (7), into which pyrolysis oil (PO) retrieved from the pyrolysis product (PP), and at least a portion of the separated hydrogen gas (H2) recuperated from the separation device (6) are introduced for a hydrogenation step, in which the pyrolysis oil (PO) is hydrogenated by the presence of the hydrogen gas (H2), wherein hydrocarbons (BO) that are substantially free from oxygen are produced.

A method for processing feedstock is described, characterized in that incoming feedstock is processed to selectively recover biogenic carbon material from the incoming feedstock. In some embodiments the incoming feedstock is comprised of mixed solid waste, such as municipal solid waste (MSW). In other embodiments the incoming feedstock is comprised of woody biomass. In some instances, the incoming feedstock is processed to selectively recover biogenic carbon material from the incoming feedstock to produce a processed feedstock having biogenic carbon content of 50% and greater suitable for conversion into biogenic carbon Fischer Tropsch liquids. The high biogenic carbon Fischer Tropsch liquids may be upgraded to biogenic carbon liquid fuels. Alternatively, the incoming feedstock is processed to selectively recover plastic material from the incoming feedstock to produce a processed feedstock having biogenic carbon content of 50% or less.

A carbonaceous feed pyrolysis apparatus is provided including two or more hot particle fluidised beds, one of which contains a combustion zone, and one or more positive displacement apparatus for the transfer of hot particles beds. Also provided is a bio-oil production process including two or more fluidised beds, a first combustion zone carried out in one or more combustion fluidised beds in which a particulate material is fluidised and heated, and a second pyrolysis zone carried out in one or more pyrolysis fluidised beds in which hot particles heated in the combustion zone are used for pyrolysis of bio-mass, the combustion zone being operated at or about atmospheric pressure at a temperature of from 400 C. to 1100 C., and the pyrolysis zone being operated at a pressure of from atmospheric to 100 Barg at a temperature of from 400 C. to 900 C.

Processes for producing high biogenic concentration Fischer-Tropsch liquids derived from the organic fraction of municipal solid wastes (MSW) feedstock that contains a relatively high concentration of biogenic carbon (derived from plants) and a relatively low concentration of non-biogenic carbon (derived from fossil sources) wherein the biogenic content of the Fischer-Tropsch liquids is the same as the biogenic content of the feedstock.

Implementations of a non-polluting biomass processor, and manufactured processor components are disclosed which at least partly address the local technical problems of a municipality, business, and/or organization, to generate non-polluting emissions, while generating at least one, often two or more, product outputs from biomass feedstocks input into the biomass processor. Examples of the operations of the biomass processor and various combinations of its manufactured processor components are disclosed. The product outputs may include carbon char and/or activated carbon, both of which may be used to increase water retention in climates with hot, dry summers and/or used to remediate water pollution in water reservoirs.