A method for processing lignocellulose materials comprising the steps of hydrothermal treatment of the material with saturated or superheated steam in a hydrothermal pressure vessel, wherein the steam is provided by means of a steam boiler. The treatment is performed at a pressure of 5-30 bars, and at a temperature of 160-240° C. for a duration of 1-20 minutes. The method further comprises discharging hydrothermally treated lignocellulose material and steam from the pressure vessel by means of rapid pressure reduction, separating the steam and vapours released from the lignocellulose material, and burning the vapours together with additional fuel and combustion air in the furnace of said steam boiler. Furthermore, a corresponding system is provided.

A method for processing lignocellulose materials comprising the steps of hydrothermal treatment of the material with saturated or superheated steam in a hydrothermal pressure vessel, wherein the steam is provided by means of a steam boiler. The treatment is performed at a pressure of 5-30 bars, and at a temperature of 160-240° C. for a duration of 1-20 minutes. The method further comprises discharging hydrothermally treated lignocellulose material and steam from the pressure vessel by means of rapid pressure reduction, separating the steam and vapours released from the lignocellulose material, and burning the vapours together with additional fuel and combustion air in the furnace of said steam boiler. Furthermore, a corresponding system is provided.

The coal-derived solid hydrocarbon particles are discrete particles of coal-derived carbonaceous matter having a particle size less than about 10 μm that are substantially free of inherent or entrained mineral matter. The particles of have an average particle size in the range from 1 μm to 8 μm. The particles of coal-derived carbonaceous matter are milled to a size approximately the same as a size of coal-derived mineral matter inherent in the coal source to release inherent coal-derived mineral matter particles such that the particles of carbonaceous matter and the particles of mineral matter are discrete and separable solid particles. Following separation, less than 1.5 wt. % discrete coal-derived mineral matter particles are associated with the discrete particles of coal-derived carbonaceous matter. Particles of coal-derived solid hydrocarbon matter are blended with a gaseous or liquid hydrocarbon fuel to form a two-phase hydrocarbon fuel feedstock.

The coal-derived solid hydrocarbon particles are discrete particles of coal-derived carbonaceous matter having a particle size less than about 10 μm that are substantially free of inherent or entrained mineral matter. The particles of have an average particle size in the range from 1 μm to 8 μm. The particles of coal-derived carbonaceous matter are milled to a size approximately the same as a size of coal-derived mineral matter inherent in the coal source to release inherent coal-derived mineral matter particles such that the particles of carbonaceous matter and the particles of mineral matter are discrete and separable solid particles. Following separation, less than 1.5 wt. % discrete coal-derived mineral matter particles are associated with the discrete particles of coal-derived carbonaceous matter. Particles of coal-derived solid hydrocarbon matter are blended with a gaseous or liquid hydrocarbon fuel to form a two-phase hydrocarbon fuel feedstock.

This disclosure relates to a processing that includes a first shell and a second shell disposed within the first shell. The second shell includes a first end, a second end, and a wall extending between the first end and the second end. The second shell also defines a cavity and a longitudinal axis extending between the first end and the second end. A cross section of the second shell transverse to the longitudinal axis includes a first arcuate inner wall portion having a first radius of curvature and a second arcuate inner wall portion having a second radius of curvature. The first radius of curvature is larger than the second radius of curvature.

This disclosure relates to a processing that includes a first shell and a second shell disposed within the first shell. The second shell includes a first end, a second end, and a wall extending between the first end and the second end. The second shell also defines a cavity and a longitudinal axis extending between the first end and the second end. A cross section of the second shell transverse to the longitudinal axis includes a first arcuate inner wall portion having a first radius of curvature and a second arcuate inner wall portion having a second radius of curvature. The first radius of curvature is larger than the second radius of curvature.

A method of preparing non-volatile bituminous material in solid form includes first accessing molds having mold cavities defining an irregularly shaped brick having a plurality of non-planar surfaces and preparing the bituminous material for casting by heating it until it is suitably viscous for casting and optionally blending it with an additive. Then, the molds can be filled with the bituminous materials, preferably using a retractable conduit that progressively fills each mold cavity from its bottom to its top. Next, the bituminous material in the molds is solidified until substantially solid bricks are formed. Optionally, a skeleton with optional additional buoyant features can be placed in each mold cavity prior to casting so that the resulting brick has increased buoyancy throughout, and the skeleton and any buoyant features can be customized according to the needs of the customer. The resulting bricks can be removed for transport.

A charcoal replacement solid energy fuel comprises wood particles substantially fully impregnated with a melt-flowable, natural, monolignol biopolymer derived from biomass which can be further processed into various shapes of briquettes, pellets and other shapes for grilling, heating/cooking, green coal energy and other applications. The material and its method of making are environmentally friendly, carbon neutral, and lower cost alternative to charcoal or traditional coal. The melt-flowable monolignol based material impregnated into the wood imparts significant water resistance, UV resistance, antimicrobial functionality, faster lighting and higher BTU/lb energy without the need to add carbonize wood or coal. The impregnated wood granules or particles can then be compressed, without the need for additional binder, into various homogenous charcoal briquette replacements, pellets, or shapes for grilling or green coal energy fuel.

A charcoal replacement solid energy fuel comprises wood particles substantially fully impregnated with a melt-flowable, natural, monolignol biopolymer derived from biomass which can be further processed into various shapes of briquettes, pellets and other shapes for grilling, heating/cooking, green coal energy and other applications. The material and its method of making are environmentally friendly, carbon neutral, and lower cost alternative to charcoal or traditional coal. The melt-flowable monolignol based material impregnated into the wood imparts significant water resistance, UV resistance, antimicrobial functionality, faster lighting and higher BTU/lb energy without the need to add carbonize wood or coal. The impregnated wood granules or particles can then be compressed, without the need for additional binder, into various homogenous charcoal briquette replacements, pellets, or shapes for grilling or green coal energy fuel.

This disclosure provides a method of making a high-fixed-carbon material comprising pyrolyzing biomass to generate intermediate solids and a pyrolysis vapor; condensing the pyrolysis vapor to generate pyrolysis liquid; blending the pyrolysis liquid with the intermediate solids, to generate a mixture; and further pyrolyzing the mixture to generate a high-fixed-carbon material. A process can comprise: pyrolyzing a biomass-comprising feedstock in a first pyrolysis reactor to generate a first biogenic reagent and a first pyrolysis vapor; introducing the first pyrolysis vapor to a condensing system to generate a condenser liquid; contacting the first biogenic reagent with the condenser liquid, thereby generating an intermediate material; further pyrolyzing the intermediate material in a second pyrolysis reactor to generate a second biogenic reagent and a second pyrolysis vapor; and recovering the second biogenic reagent as a high-yield biocarbon composition. The process can further comprise pelletizing the intermediate material. Many process and system configurations are disclosed.