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. The structural objects may have a structure and/or strength that derive from the feedstock, heat rate, and additives.

A system includes a first separator that separates water from a fluid material. The water settles on the bottom of the water knock-out tank. The system includes multiple compressors to boost the pressure of the fluid material. The system includes a second separator that separates condensate from the fluid material. The system includes a mixing pipe that mixes glycol with the fluid material and a first heat exchanger that cools the mixed fluid material and glycol. The system includes a third separator that separates gaseous components and liquid components of the mixed fluid material and glycol and a fourth separator that separates the liquid components of the mixed fluid material and glycol. The system includes a fractional distillation column that heats a first liquid from the fourth separator, gasifying a first portion of the first liquid. A second portion of the first liquid remains liquid and is natural gas liquids.

Processes, systems, and associated control methodologies are disclosed that control the flow of biogas during the biogas cleanup process to create a more consistent flow of biogas through the digester, while also optimizing the output and efficiency of the overall renewable natural gas facility. In representative embodiments, a biogas buffer storage system may be used during the cleanup process to control the pressure and flow rate of biogas. The biogas buffer storage system may monitor and control the biogas flow rate to either bring down or increase the digester pressure, thereby maintaining a normalized biogas flow rate.

Systems and methods of processing biomass include a conveyor unit associated with an inlet and/or outlet, a microwave generator, a microwave guide connecting the microwave generator to the conveyor unit that includes a microwave opening configured to receive microwave energy via the microwave guide, and a microwave suppression system including a tunnel associated with the material inlet and/or outlet, and including at least one flexible and/or movable microwave reflecting component within the tunnel, the microwave reflecting component configured to be deflected as biomass material passes through the tunnel and then returning to a resting, closed position when the biomass material is no longer passing through the tunnel. The conveyor unit is configured to receive and process the biomass material, including heating the biomass material to at least a first temperature by applying microwave energy to the biomass material.

A method for determining properties of a hydrocarbon-containing gas mixture includes determining a thermal conductivity value, density measurement, viscosity measurement, and temperature and pressure. The method also includes determining a hydrogen content of the gas mixture on the basis of the thermal conductivity value and the temperature and pressure, determining a density measurement and associated temperature and pressure, and determining the mean molar mass or standard density on the basis of the density measurement and the temperature and pressure. The method further includes determining the mean molar mass or standard density of a hydrogen-free residual gas mixture based on the mean molar mass or standard density and the hydrogen fraction, determining the Wobbe index of the residual gas mixture based on the viscosity measurement and the temperature and pressure, and determining a calorific value based on the mean molar mass or standard density and the Wobbe index.

Processes, systems, and associated control methodologies are disclosed that control the flow of biogas during the biogas cleanup process to create a more consistent flow of biogas through the digester, while also optimizing the output and efficiency of the overall renewable natural gas facility. In representative embodiments, a biogas buffer storage system may be used during the cleanup process to control the pressure and flow rate of biogas. The biogas buffer storage system may monitor and control the biogas flow rate to either bring down or increase the digester pressure, thereby maintaining a normalized biogas flow rate.

A method for preparation of a reagent for reducing hydrodynamic drag of a turbulent flow of liquid hydrocarbons in pipelines, characterized by a high polymer content of at least 75 wt %, including mixing a 0.1-1.5 mm polymer reducing the hydrodynamic drag of a turbulent flow of liquid hydrocarbons with polymer non-solving solvents. The prepared product is a commodity form of the reagent with a high polymer content of at least 75 wt % used to reduce the hydrodynamic drag of the flow of liquid hydrocarbons in pipelines. The product prepared according to the described method is injected into the flow of hydrocarbon fluid transported through the pipeline using the injection apparatus that mechanically moves the product using a screw auger or screw feeder.

A real time additive processing system for crude oil or refined fuel products is coupled to a fuel transport line that transfers fuel from one storage tank to another storage tank. The fuel additive processing system includes a fuel additive storage tank coupled to a liquid conduit having a liquid pump with a speed/stroke controller that regulates the liquid pump. The liquid conduit is coupled to the fuel transport line at a fuel additive injection nozzle. The fuel additive processing system also includes a flow rate transmitter and a chemical or physical property analyzer coupled to the fuel transport line downstream of the additive injection nozzle. The fuel additive processing system includes a flow controller that communicates with the liquid pump speed/stroke controller, flow rate transmitter and chemical or physical property analyzer. A remote system allows selective control of the flow controller.

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. The structural objects may have a structure and/or strength that derive from the feedstock, heat rate, and additives.

A process of making a fuel product from a non-combustible high protein organic material such as a biological by-product or waste material. The moisture content of the high protein organic material is mechanically reduced and dried to reduce the moisture content to less than ten percent (10%). The high protein organic material is pulverized to a particle size of less than about 2 mm. The high protein organic waste material is fed into a combustion chamber and separated during combustion such as by spraying high protein organic waste material within the combustion chamber. Temperature and combustion reactions within the combustion chamber are controlled by controlling the moisture in the combustion atmosphere and energy injections at or downstream of the combustion chamber. The concentration of protein thermal decomposition by-products, temperature, and residence time and/or additions of energy plasma within the combustion chamber environment are controlled to degrade hazardous polyfluoro compounds.