Abstract
This review describes the recent results in hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) of biomass in continuous-flow processing systems. Although much has been published about batch reactor tests of biomass HTL, there is only limited information yet available on continuous-flow tests, which can provide a more reasonable basis for process design and scale-up for commercialization. High-moisture biomass feedstocks are the most likely to be used in HTL. These materials are described and results of their processing are discussed. Engineered systems for HTL are described; however, they are of limited size and do not yet approach a demonstration scale of operation. With the results available, process models have been developed, and mass and energy balances determined. From these models, process costs have been calculated and provide some optimism as to the commercial likelihood of the technology.
Highlights
Background on hydrothermal liquefactionHydrothermal liquefaction of biomass is the thermochemical conversion of biomass into liquid fuels by processing in a hot, pressurized water environment for sufficient time to break down the solid biopolymeric structure to mainly liquid components
This review describes the recent results in hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) of biomass in continuousflow processing systems
At intermediate temperature ranges between 520 and 647 K, the process is defined as hydrothermal liquefaction resulting in the production of a liquid fuel known as biocrude
Summary
Hydrothermal liquefaction of biomass is the thermochemical conversion of biomass into liquid fuels by processing in a hot, pressurized water environment for sufficient time to break down the solid biopolymeric structure to mainly liquid components. At intermediate temperature ranges between 520 and 647 K, the process is defined as hydrothermal liquefaction resulting in the production of a liquid fuel known as biocrude. While HTL proceeds through pyrolytic mechanisms, its biocrude product is much different from fast pyrolysis bio-oil. It is more deoxygenated through, among other reaction pathways, condensation reactions of the light fragments generated from the biomass, resulting in a more hydrophobic phase with less dissolved water. The largest demonstration of a version of the technology was the operation of the Albany Facility producing 52 barrels of product (approximately 8 m3) over the life of the facility These pilot scale efforts demonstrated continuousflow operation of HTL, the vast majority of the literature describes small batch reactor tests in the laboratory (Toor et al, 2011). This review will concentrate on the recent research in continuous-flow process development for biomass HTL and related subjects
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