US5019135A
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US
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Method for the catalytic conversion of lignocellulosic materials
Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute Inc
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Filing: 1988-05-17
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Granted: 1991-05-28
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Expires: 2008-05-17
Abstract
Abstract A method is disclosed for converting lignocellulosic materials contained in biomass and other feedstocks into a fuel gas. The method comprises maintaining, in a pressure vessel, at a temperature of 300 DEG C. to 450 DEG C. and a pressure of at least 100 atmospheres, lignocellulosic material and water, and amounts of alkali and reduced nickel catalysts sufficient to catalyze a reaction of the lignocellulosic material to produce a product gas composed primarily of methane, hydrogen and carbon dioxide.
Inventors
- 👤 L. John Sealock, Jr.
- 👤 Douglas C. Elliott
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 18:54
CPC Classifications
C; C02; C02F; C02F1/00; C02F1/72; C02F1/725; C10; C10J; C10J3/00; C10J2200/00; C10J2200/06; C10J2300/00; C10J2300/09; C10J2300/0903; C10J2300/0906; C10J2300/0913; C10J2300/0916; C10J2300/092; C10J2300/0983; C10J2300/0986; C10J2300/18; C10J2300/1861; Y; Y02; Y02W; Y02W10/00; Y02W10/30; Y02W10/37
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
73 words
A method for converting lignocellulosic materials into a fuel gas, the method comprising: maintaining, in a pressure reactor, at a temperature of 300° C. to 450° C. and a pressure of at least 100 atmospheres, lignocellulosic material and water in the presence of amounts of an alkali and of reduced nickel sufficient to catalyze a reaction of the lignocellulosic materials to produce a product gas composed primarily of methane, carbon dioxide and hydrogen.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
73 words
A method for converting lignocellulosic materials into a fuel gas, the method comprising: maintaining, in a pressure reactor, at a temperature of 300° C. to 450° C. and a pressure of at least 100 atmospheres, lignocellulosic material and water in the presence of amounts of an alkali and of reduced nickel sufficient to catalyze a reaction of the lignocellulosic materials to produce a product gas composed primarily of methane, carbon dioxide and hydrogen.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the water is contained in the lignocellulosic materials.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the lignocellulosic material is fed continuously to the pressure reactor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the lignocellulosic material is fed to the reactor in an aqueous slurry.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the reduced nickel is supported on a carrier.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the reduced nickel is delivered to the pressure reactor in a reduced and stabilized form.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the reduced nickel is stabilized using carbon dioxide.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the nickel is reduced within the pressure reactor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the alkali is selected from the group consisting of sodium, potassium and cesium.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the amount of reduced nickel used to catalyze the reaction is at least about 0.05 grams of reduced nickel per gram of dry lignocellulosic material in the reactor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the amount of alkali used in the reaction is at least about 0.0001 mole of elemental alkali per gram of dry lignocellulosic material in the reactor.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of: pretreating the lignocellulosic materials to homogenize the materials.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the pretreating step comprises decreasing the size of the lignocellulosic material to an average size no greater than about 1.0 centimeters.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of: pressurizing the lignocellulosic material to the reaction pressure before delivery to the pressure reactor.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of: preheating the lignocellulosic material before delivery to the pressure reactor.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the amount of the alkali catalyst is provided by the lignocellulosic material being converted.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
141 words
A method for converting lignocellulosic material into a fuel gas, the method comprising: pretreating lignocellulosic material to reduce the size and homogenize the material; adding water to the lignocellulosic material such that the water content of the resulting mixture is at least about 50 percent by weight; pressurizing the lignocellulosic material and water to a desired reaction pressure; preheating the lignocellulosic material and water to a desired reaction temperature; delivering the lignocellulosic material and water to a pressure reactor; and maintaining, in the pressure reactor at a temperature of 300° C. to 450° C. and a pressure of at least 100 atmospheres, the lignocellulosic material and water, in the presence of amounts of an alkali and of reduced nickel sufficient to catalyze a reaction of the lignocellulosic material to produce a product gas composed primarily of methane, hydrogen and carbon dioxide.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
141 words
A method for converting lignocellulosic material into a fuel gas, the method comprising: pretreating lignocellulosic material to reduce the size and homogenize the material; adding water to the lignocellulosic material such that the water content of the resulting mixture is at least about 50 percent by weight; pressurizing the lignocellulosic material and water to a desired reaction pressure; preheating the lignocellulosic material and water to a desired reaction temperature; delivering the lignocellulosic material and water to a pressure reactor; and maintaining, in the pressure reactor at a temperature of 300° C. to 450° C. and a pressure of at least 100 atmospheres, the lignocellulosic material and water, in the presence of amounts of an alkali and of reduced nickel sufficient to catalyze a reaction of the lignocellulosic material to produce a product gas composed primarily of methane, hydrogen and carbon dioxide.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 17 wherein water content of the mixture is about 80 to 90 percent by weight.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-05-27 | 1994-11-26 | 1995-05-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-05-27 | 1998-11-26 | 1999-05-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-05-27 | 2002-11-26 | 2003-05-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |