Method and system for accomplishing flash or fast pyrolysis with carbonaceous materials

Abstract

A system for the conversion of carbonaceous feedstocks into useful sources for energy, chemicals, or other materials includes a reactor chamber for receiving dried carbonaceous feedstock and heat carrier for processing of the feedstock in the generation of useful sources for energy, chemicals, or other materials, a char separation and recovery mechanism linked to the reactor chamber for separating char produced as a result of processing of feedstock within the reactor chamber from heat carrier and a condenser in communication with the reactor chamber for receiving gas and vapor from the reactor chamber. A furnace is linked to the char separation and recovery mechanism providing energy for operation of the system.

1 . A system for the conversion of carbonaceous feedstocks into useful sources for energy, chemicals, or other materials, comprises:
 a reactor chamber for receiving carbonaceous feedstock and heat carrier for processing of the feedstock in the generation of useful sources for energy, chemicals, or other materials;   a char separation and recovery mechanism linked to the reactor chamber for separating char produced as a result of processing of feedstock within the reactor chamber from heat carrier;   a condenser in communication with the reactor chamber for receiving gas and vapor from the reactor chamber;   a furnace linked to the char separation mechanism providing energy for operation of the system; and   a heat exchanger through which heat carrier from the char separation and recovery mechanism is reheated and recirculated to the reactor chamber.   
   
   
       2 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the heat exchanger is a jacketed auger through which heat from the furnace passes for heating the heat carrier as it is carried back to the reactor chamber. 
   
   
       3 . A system for the conversion of carbonaceous feedstocks into useful sources for energy, chemicals, or other materials, comprises:
 a reactor chamber for receiving carbonaceous feedstock and heat carrier for processing of the feedstock in the generation of useful sources for energy, chemicals, or other materials;   a char separation and recovery mechanism linked to the reactor chamber for separating char produced as a result of processing of feedstock within the reactor chamber from heat carrier, wherein the char separation and recovery mechanism includes a screen separating system based upon relative particle size;   a condenser in communication with the reactor chamber for receiving gas and vapor from the reactor chamber; and   a furnace linked to the char separation and recovery mechanism providing energy for operation of the system.   
   
   
       4 . A system for the conversion of carbonaceous feedstocks into useful sources for energy, chemicals, or other materials, comprises:
 a reactor chamber for receiving carbonaceous feedstock and heat carrier for processing of the feedstock in the generation of useful sources for energy, chemicals, or other materials;   a char separation and recovery mechanism linked to the reactor chamber for separating char produced as a result of processing of feedstock within the reactor chamber from heat carrier, wherein the char separation and recovery mechanism includes an air classifier system;   a condenser in communication with the reactor chamber for receiving gas and vapor from the reactor chamber; and   a furnace linked to the char separation and recovery mechanism providing energy for operation of the system.   
   
   
       5 . A system for the conversion of carbonaceous feedstocks into useful sources for energy, chemicals, or other materials, comprises:
 a reactor chamber for receiving carbonaceous feedstock and heat carrier for processing of the feedstock in the generation of useful sources for energy, chemicals, or other materials;   a char separation and recovery mechanism linked to the reactor chamber for separating char produced as a result of processing of feedstock within the reactor chamber from heat carrier, wherein the char separation and recovery mechanism includes a magnetic separation system;   a condenser in communication with the reactor chamber for receiving gas and vapor from the reactor chamber; and   a furnace linked to the char separation and recovery mechanism providing energy for operation of the system.   
   
   
       6 . A system for the conversion of carbonaceous feedstocks into useful sources for energy, chemicals, or other materials, comprises:
 a reactor chamber for receiving carbonaceous feedstock and heat carrier for processing of the feedstock in the generation of useful sources for energy, chemicals, or other materials;   a char separation and recovery mechanism linked to the reactor chamber for separating char produced as a result of processing of feedstock within the reactor chamber from heat carrier;   a condenser in communication with the reactor chamber for receiving gas and vapor from the reactor chamber, wherein the condenser includes a fractional condensation column; and   a furnace linked to the char separation and recovery mechanism providing energy for operation of the system.   
   
   
       7 . The system according to  claim 6 , further including a char trap positioned between the reactor chamber and the condenser. 
   
   
       8 . The system according to  claim 6 , further including a tar trap positioned between the reactor chamber and the condenser. 
   
   
       9 . A system for the conversion of carbonaceous feedstocks into useful sources for energy, chemicals, or other materials, comprises:
 a reactor chamber for receiving carbonaceous feedstock and heat carrier for processing of the feedstock in the generation of useful sources for energy, chemicals, or other materials, wherein the reactor chamber is a stirred tank reactor;   a char separation and recovery mechanism linked to the reactor chamber for separating char produced as a result of processing of feedstock within the reactor chamber from heat carrier;   a condenser in communication with the reactor chamber for receiving gas and vapor from the reactor chamber, wherein the condenser includes a fractional condensation column; and   a furnace linked to the char separation and recovery mechanism providing energy for operation of the system.   
   
   
       10 . A system for the conversion of carbonaceous feedstocks into useful sources for energy, chemicals, or other materials, comprises:
 a reactor chamber for receiving carbonaceous feedstock and heat carrier for processing of the feedstock in the generation of useful sources for energy, chemicals, or other materials, wherein the reactor chamber is a stirred tank reactor or a rotating cylinder reactor;   a char separation and recovery mechanism linked to the reactor chamber for separating char produced as a result of processing of feedstock within the reactor chamber from heat carrier;   a condenser in communication with the reactor chamber for receiving gas and vapor from the reactor chamber; and   a furnace linked to the char separation and recovery mechanism providing energy for operation of the system.   
   
   
       11 . The system according to  claim 10 , further including a drier in communication with the reaction chamber, wherein a feed mechanism transfers the feedstock from the dryer to the reactor chamber. 
   
   
       12 . The system according to  claim 10 , wherein the feed mechanism includes a central air lock between first and second feed sections.