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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

A novel extruder-feeder reactor system for biomass liquefaction

Conference ·
OSTI ID:6463089

A need existed in the 1970's to pump high concentrations of biomass solids into reactors under high pressure on a continuous basis. A modified plasticating single screw extruder was developed, capable of pumping slurries as high as 60 wt % wood as compared to only 10-20 wt % in conventional piston pump systems. The ability to handle such concentrated slurries which are in solid form at ambient temperatures is expected to improve direct liquefaction wood oil quality and process economics. Various preliminary process design and economic studies indicate that the utilization of this newly-developed extruder-feeder in biomass direct liquefaction processes could lead to one or more of the process improvements listed below. The extruder-feeder acts simultaneously as both a feed preheater and a pumping device into a 3,000 psi pressure reactor in the biomass liquefaction process. It could prove to be of importance in other processes where high concentration of solids in liquids are to be handled, like in the pulp and paper industry, hydrolysis of wood or other cellulosics, other biomass liquefaction processes, coal liquefaction processes and some biomass gasification processes.

OSTI ID:
6463089
Report Number(s):
CONF-871113-
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English