Systems and methods for reactor chemistry and control

Abstract

A method, apparatus, and system for a solar-driven chemical plant that manages variations in solar energy are disclosed. Some embodiments include a solar thermal receiver to absorb concentrated solar energy, a solar driven chemical reactor contained within the solar thermal receiver, and an entrained gas biomass feed system that uses an entrainment carrier gas and supplies a variety of biomass sources fed as particles into the solar driven chemical reactor. Inner walls of the solar thermal receiver and the chemical reactor can be made from materials selected to transfer energy. Some embodiments include a control system that may be configured to balance the gasification reaction of biomass particles with the available concentrated solar energy and additional variable parameters including, but not limited to, a fixed range of particle sizes, temperature of the chemical reactor, and residence time of the particles in a reaction zone in the chemical reactor.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of both U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 248,282, filed Oct. 2, 2009 and entitled “Various Methods and Apparatuses for Sun Driven Processes,” and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 185,492, titled “VARIOUS METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR SOLAR-THERMAL GASIFICATION OF BIOMASS TO PRODUCE SYNTHESIS GAS” filed Jun. 9, 2009.NOTICE OF COPYRIGHT[0002]A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the software engine and its modules, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office Patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0003]Embodiments of the invention generally relate to systems, methods, and apparatus for refining biomass and other materials. More particularly, an aspect of an embodiment of the inven...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The patent describes a system for using solar energy to produce chemicals from biomass. The system includes a solar thermal receiver that absorbs concentrated solar energy from multiple solar energy fields. The solar energy is used to gasify the biomass particles, which are then converted into hydrogen and carbon monoxide gas. The system also includes a control system that manages the gasification reaction based on the available solar energy and other variable parameters. The control system can adapt to changes in solar energy over both long and short term periods, and can anticipate changes in solar energy based on weather reports. The technical effects of the patent include efficient use of solar energy to produce chemicals from biomass, and a control system that can manage the gasification reaction for optimal conversion of biomass particles."

Problems solved by technology

Between 30% and 40% of the biomass must be consumed to drive the process, and at the temperatures which the process is generally limited to (for efficiency reasons), conversion is typically limited, giving still lower yields.

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