WO2009090072A1

WO2009090072A1 - Hydrothermal carbonation of biomass

Info

Publication number: WO2009090072A1
Application number: PCT/EP2009/000228
Authority: WO
Inventors: Lucia Viviane Sanders
Original assignee: Lucia Viviane Sanders
Priority date: 2008-01-16
Filing date: 2009-01-16
Publication date: 2009-07-23
Also published as: DE102008004732A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and a device for the hydrothermal carbonation of biomass, wherein biomass is converted into substances, such as coal, oil, and/or like related materials using water and at least one catalyst in a pressure container by increasing the temperature and/or pressure. In order to improve the hydrothermal carbonation of biomass, particularly with regard to the duration of the conversion process and the manner in which the process is carried out, the present invention provides that the biomass is disorganized before and/or during the conversion by means of ultrasound, microwave radiation, or decompression, for example.

Description

Hydrothermal carbonation of biomass

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for the hydrothermal carbonization of biomass, wherein biomass is converted with water and at least one catalyst in a pressure vessel by increasing the temperature and / or pressure in substances such as coal, oil and / or the like related substances.

For the purposes of the present invention, the term biomass encompasses all living, dead and / or decomposed organisms. In addition to plants, these include, in particular, waste and / or residual wood, straw, grass, manure, leaves, sewage sludge, animal manure, residues from biogas plants and other conversion processes and / or organic household waste. The biomass can be found in different compositions, qualities, sizes and / or the like use, depending on the needs and desired conversion product use.

So far, in the hydrothermal carbonization, a pressure vessel with biomass consisting essentially of plant products, water and a small amount of a catalyst, in particular citric acid, filled. Subsequently, the pressure vessel is closed and performed under temperature and pressure increase the conversion or implementation of the biomass. The resulting reaction is exothermic, which means that energy is released in the form of heat and / or light. The duration of this conversion process depends on the desired state of the conversion product and has hitherto been, for example, for the conversion of biomass into coal in a time range of about twelve hours. The pressure vessel is at a temperature of about 180 degrees Celsius to about 200 degrees Celsius held. Subsequently, the pressure vessel is opened and the conversion product - in a conversion of biomass into coal small floating on the water coal particles - taken from the pressure vessel.

A disadvantage of the previously known hydrothermal carbonization in addition to the relatively large duration of the conversion process, in particular the discontinuous Prozeßfϋhrung in which a pressure vessel is first filled, the filled pressure vessel is then sealed pressure-tight, then run in the pressure vessel, the conversion reactions, the pressure vessel is opened thereafter and finally the opened pressure vessel is emptied or the conversion product is removed from the pressure vessel. In addition, both the mechanical and / or plant technical effort as well as the operating and personnel costs are so far significant. Furthermore, with the previous discontinuous process management, an effective and cheaper industrial use of the hydrothermal carbonization for substance extraction can not be realized.

The object of the present invention, in view of the state of the art, is to improve the hydrothermal carbonization of biomass, in particular with regard to the duration of the conversion process and with regard to the manner in which the process is conducted.

The technical solution to this problem is the present invention, a method and for the hydrothermal carbonization of biomass, biomass with water and at least one catalyst in a pressure vessel by increasing the temperature and / or pressure in substances such as coal, oil and / or the like related substances is proposed, which is characterized in that the biomass is disorganized before the conversion and / or during the conversion.

For the purposes of the present invention, disorganization is understood to mean any damage to the structure of cells and / or complex molecules in the biomass with the aim of causing material damage in the mold such that defined fragments of the starting material are formed, as well as the end products defined particle size, respectively composition obtained. The invention is based on the finding that the time duration of the biomass conversion process can be significantly reduced by a disorganization of the biomass according to the invention before and / or during the conversion process, in comparison to process guides without disorganization according to the invention.

Advantageously, the duration of the biomass conversion process according to the invention can be reduced, preferably to less than or equal to one hour, compared to the duration of a process without disorganization of the biomass according to the invention - depending on the desired or desired state of the final product.

An advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the disorganization takes place by means of ultrasound. In the context of disorganization by means of ultrasound, the biomass is intended to be heated according to the invention. According to the invention, the gradient of the heating in addition to the or the catalysts used for a defined disorganization is responsible. If the ultrasonic power does not reach a sufficient temperature gradient due to the type of biomass, for example, this can be supported by an additional heat source with sufficient gradient power. This is advantageously done by the use of microwaves. The disorganization of the structures of cells and / or complex molecules in the biomass is advantageously carried out in the flow by means of ultrasound in a tube. The coupling of the microwave can be done directly in front of or behind this tube, advantageously in this tube. A specific embodiment of the invention provides that the biomass is conveyed using a pump, preferably a screw pump or a piston diaphragm pump, against an ultrasound transmitter arranged in a pipeline. The ultrasound transmitter is advantageously arranged in the pipeline, which preferably runs perpendicular to the substrate. The achievable DisOrganisationsgrad depends on the promotion, in particular the degree of liquefaction of the biomass, from the conveying speed and / or the delivery rate, the power of the ultrasonic transmitter and the delivery pressure. Advantageously, the delivery is controllable, in particular with regard to the conveying speed and / or delivery rate of the pump, the power of the ultrasonic transmitter and / or the delivery pressure, preferably via at least one regulating device. A further advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the disorganization takes place by means of microwave irradiation. In the context of disorganization by means of microwave irradiation, the biomass advantageously heats up. Advantageously, the biomass is passed through a microwave flow reactor having at least one reaction space, which is advantageously the ultrasonic flow tube. The biomass guided through the microwave flow reactor is advantageously heated, preferably within about 30 s and about 20 min, in particular in a range of about 1 min and about 5 min, to a temperature in a temperature range between about 150 degrees Celsius to about 250 degrees Celsius, in particular to a temperature between 160 degrees Celsius and 190 degrees Celsius. Another embodiment of the invention is characterized by a pressure in the first reaction space (ultrasound and / or microwave) of the microwave flow reactor in a pressure range between about 15 bar to about 300 bar.

On the selection of the catalyst, the ultrasonic power and the gradient of the temperature and its height can be advantageously a defined disorganization with regard to the achieved particles, as well as the separation of complex molecules at defined locations achieve. Vegetable proteins, in particular proteins of marine plants, here advantageously microalgae, can be brought into a chain form as defined by a multi-dimensional complex ball, which is then divided into specific amino acids. This type of division is essential for the synthesis of e.g. aliphatic hydrocarbon chains, as required in the petroleum synthesis of the invention mentioned here.

Advantageously, inorganic bases or organic acids are used as catalysts.

By means of this type of disorganization according to the invention, an economically usable ammonia yield can be produced from the nitrogen-containing molecular parts thus separated, preferably from the biomass of marine origin. The amounts of hydrogen required for this synthesis by adding hydrogen from a gas reservoir (eg gas cylinders), but preferably by composition of the biomass, preferably by Bacteria contained in the biomass, advantageously hydrogen-producing bacteria such as Chlamydomonas provided.

A further advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the disorganization for the separation of biomass in the biomass, here advantageously bacteria, such. Cyanobacteria, contained cyclic moieties. On the basis of this disorganization advantageously arise the cyclic components necessary for the synthesis of aromatics and cycloaliphatic compounds as constituents of petroleum.

A further advantageous embodiment of the invention is characterized in that a further pressure vessel formed essentially as a pipeline with at least one controllable inlet opening and at least one controllable outlet opening, which is advantageously downstream of the disorganization, via the at least one controllable inlet opening biomass, water and / or at least a catalyst is supplied, the temperature and / or pressure conditions are controlled in the pressure vessel such that the product supplied to the pressure vessel from biomass, their disorganization products (disorganized biomass), water and catalyst is transported through the pipeline, wherein biomass, respectively their Disorganisationsprodukte, Water and catalyst react with each other, and at least one reaction product of the contents is removed via the at least one controllable outlet opening. The embodiment according to the invention advantageously realizes a continuous process control. The inventive design of the pressure vessel through a pipeline quasi infinitely many cascaded one behind the other and realized interconnected pressure vessel realized, parts of which include at least one solid catalyst. For coal production, this is advantageously a tube piece filled with an acidic mineral (pH <4), eg fractured quartz, the catalyst structure advantageously having a pore size of <10 mm, in particular <2 mm. Overall, it is thus advantageously possible to carry out a continuous process, which is particularly advantageous, particularly against the background of an effective and economical industrial use of the hydrothermal carbonization for material production. The process according to the invention advantageously permits a continuous supply of biomass, water and / or at least one catalyst. The supply of biomass, water and / or at least one catalyst for Filling of the first, ultrasonic and / or microwave for disorganization having pressure vessel can be carried out in parallel, so that biomass, water and / or catalyst are fed individually. Accordingly, a separate supply of biomass, a separate supply of water and / or a separate supply of catalyst are provided. Advantageously, the mixing ratio of the components biomass, water and / or at least one catalyst is carried out via a corresponding control system.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, an ultrasonic and / or microwave transmitter is arranged for disorganization in at least one region of the pipeline forming the pressure vessel. This is primarily the beginning of the pipeline system for achieving the specific biomass and molecular fragments necessary for the production of the coal or oil according to the invention.

Advantageously, the temperature and / or pressure conditions in the pressure vessel are controlled such that the product supplied to the pressure vessel from biomass, their Disorganisationsprodukten, water and catalyst defined transported through the pipeline. According to the invention, a mass layer passes through the pressure vessel designed as a pipeline during the conversion process. Advantageously, the intermediate products corresponding to the respective time of the conversion process are present at different points along the pipeline at any time.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the supply of biomass, respectively their Disorganisationsprodukten, water and / or at least one catalyst via at least one arranged before the at least one controllable inlet opening of the pressure vessel, at least one controllable inlet opening and at least one controllable outlet opening having lock chamber takes place the lock chamber is connectable on the part of the at least one controllable inlet opening with at least one storage reservoir of biomass, water and / or at least one catalyst and on the part of the at least one controllable outlet opening with the at least one controllable inlet opening of the pressure vessel. Advantageously, the transport of biomass, water and / or takes place at least one catalyst from the lock chamber into the pressure vessel by pressurization.

A further advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the supply of biomass, water and / or at least one catalyst takes place via a piston-pressing device arranged in front of the at least one controllable inlet opening of the pressure vessel, wherein the piston-pressing device has a chamber with at least one inlet opening, at least one controllable outlet opening and a movable piston in the chamber for pressing befindlichem in the chamber Good. Advantageously, the transport of biomass, water and / or at least one catalyst from the chamber into the pressure vessel is carried out by means of the piston pressurization.

According to another proposal of the invention, the supply of biomass, water and / or at least one catalyst advantageously takes place via an eccentric screw pump with pressure regulation arranged in front of the at least one controllable inlet opening of the pressure vessel.

Advantageously, the transport of contents located in the pressure vessel, in particular in coal production consisting of land-bound biomass or macroalgae, supported by a preferably arranged in the pipeline of the pressure vessel controllable conveyor, particularly preferably in the form of a controllable screw conveyor. The delivery volume of the conveyor can be controlled in advance, preferably via a control device. In a specific embodiment of the invention, the screw conveyor extends substantially over the entire length of the pipeline of the pressure vessel and is adapted substantially flush with the inner cross section of the pipeline of the pressure vessel.

In the production of oil and / or the production of coal products with particle sizes in the micron and / or nanometer range, based on the disorganization products of the biomass according to the disorganization according to the invention, the reaction tube is preferably in the form of microreactors and / or tubes with diameters of about ≤ 50 mm, preferably of about <20 mm, preferably in a cascaded arrangement interpreted, so that the individual synthesis steps corresponding different temperatures and pressures can be used.

A further advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the temperature and / or pressure conditions in the pressure vessel are controlled via the at least one controllable inlet opening and / or the at least one controllable outlet opening, preferably via at least one control device.

Advantageously, the pressure vessel is heated. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the pipeline of the pressure vessel is at least partially disposed in a container which can be filled with at least one heat transfer medium, preferably oil, and the heating of the pressure vessel is controlled via the temperature of the at least one heat transfer medium in the vessel. Furthermore, as part of the process flow at the respective points in the pipeline resulting heat energy (reactor heat) is dissipated directly and thus supplied to areas where the conversion process has already taken place or has progressed further. Advantageously, in particular an overheating of individual process sections is prevented.

Advantageously, the pressure vessels are heated in the form of cascaded microreaction tanks by means of heat oil operated heat exchanger, induction heating and / or microwave. In this way it is ensured that only the energy required for the respective reaction step is supplied, overheating is prevented and the necessary temperature gradient is achieved.

A particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention for the production of coal products is characterized by using a thickener, preferably corn starch such as cereal and / or potato starch, for the contents of biomass, water and at least one catalyst. Depending on the nature and configuration of the biomass, parts or particles of the biomass can float in the water in the pressure vessel and / or deposit in the pressure vessel. Thus, for example, cereals and / or cereal-like products or their constituents used as biomass fall due to their specific weight in the pressure vessel, which sometimes increases Blockages in the pressure vessel leads. As biomass used foliage and / or foliage-like products or their components floats in the pressure vessel, which sometimes also leads to blockages in the pressure vessel. By using a thickening agent according to the invention, these problems of sinking and / or floating of biomass particles can be bypassed and thus eliminated. Advantageously, the thickener is added in amounts effective to provide a substantially viscous consistency. Advantageously, the thickening agent is first added to the water and / or the catalyst. Subsequently, this viscous water-catalyst mixture is added to the biomass.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the removal of the at least one reaction product of the filling material takes place via a separating device arranged downstream of the at least one controllable outlet opening of the pressure vessel, preferably by filtering.

A further advantageous embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the reaction product is pressed before and / or after removal.

Another particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the supply of biomass, water and / or at least one catalyst, the temperature and / or pressure conditions in the pressure vessel, the transport of the contents through the pressure vessel and / or the removal of the at least one Reaction product of the filling material from the pressure vessel via a control. According to the invention, in particular the operating and personnel expenses in the course of the process control can be further reduced. A further embodiment of the invention advantageously provides for fully automatic process control.

A further advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the temperature in the pressure vessel at least over the period of time of transport of the contents through the pressure vessel in a range between about 140.00 degrees Celsius to about 350.00 degrees Celsius, in the production of coal products preferably between about 180.00 degrees Celsius to about 240.00 degrees Celsius, wherein oil production is maintained in a range between about 250 degrees Celsius and about 450 degrees Celsius, preferably between about 250 degrees Celsius and about 320 degrees Celsius. For the technical solution of the above-mentioned object, a device for the hydrothermal carbonization of biomass, wherein biomass is converted with water and at least one catalyst in a pressure vessel by increasing the temperature and / or pressure in substances such as coal, oil and / or the like related substances proposed , which is characterized by at least one device for disorganization of biomass, which is arranged in fluid communication before and / or in the pressure vessel.

An advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the disorganizing device has at least one ultrasonic transmitter, at least one microwave transmitter and / or at least one microwave flow reactor.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the pressure vessel is formed from at least one pipeline with at least one controllable inlet opening and at least one controllable outlet opening. A particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the pipeline between the at least one inlet opening and the at least one outlet opening has at least one bend, preferably at least one substantially U-shaped bend.

Advantageously, the at least one pipeline of the pressure vessel is arranged at least partially in a container which can be filled with at least one heat transfer medium, preferably oil.

A further advantageous embodiment of the invention is characterized by at least one controllable heating device for controlling the temperature in the pressure vessel.

Advantageously, the temperature of the heat transfer medium in the container via the heater is controllable.

A further embodiment of the invention is advantageously characterized by at least one lock chamber arranged in front of the at least one controllable inlet opening of the pressure vessel for supplying biomass, Water and / or at least one catalyst through the at least one controllable inlet opening of the pressure vessel, comprising at least one controllable inlet opening and at least one controllable outlet opening. The lock chamber is advantageously connectable on the part of the at least one controllable inlet opening with at least one storage reservoir of biomass, water and / or at least one catalyst and on the part of the at least one controllable outlet opening with the at least one controllable inlet opening of the pressure vessel. A concrete embodiment of the invention provides that the controllable inlet opening of the pressure vessel forms the controllable outlet opening of the lock chamber. A further embodiment of the invention is characterized by at least one pump for controllable and / or controllable pressurization of the lock chamber.

A further advantageous embodiment of the invention is characterized by a prior to the at least one controllable inlet opening of the pressure vessel arranged piston-pressing device for supplying biomass, water and / or at least one catalyst through the at least one controllable inlet opening of the pressure vessel, comprising a chamber with at least one inlet opening , at least one controllable outlet opening and a piston movable in the chamber for pressing material located in the chamber.

A further advantageous embodiment of the invention is characterized by an eccentric screw pump with pressure regulation arranged in front of the at least one controllable inlet opening of the pressure vessel for supplying biomass, water and / or at least one catalyst through the at least one controllable inlet opening of the pressure vessel.

A further advantageous embodiment of the invention is characterized by a preferably arranged in the pipeline of the pressure vessel controllable conveyor, preferably in the form of a controllable screw conveyor, to support the transport of befindlichem in the pressure vessel Füllgut. Advantageously, the delivery volume of the conveyor is controllable, preferably via a control device. Another proposal of the invention is characterized in that the conveyor screw extends substantially over the entire length of the pipeline of the pressure vessel and is adapted substantially flush with the inner cross section of the pipeline of the pressure vessel. A further advantageous embodiment of the invention is characterized by a preferably controllable device for heating the pressure vessel.

A further advantageous embodiment of the invention is characterized by at least one control device for at least partially automatic control of the temperature and / or pressure conditions in the pressure vessel via the at least one controllable inlet opening and / or the at least one controllable outlet opening.

A further advantageous embodiment of the invention is characterized by at least one separating device arranged downstream of the at least one controllable outlet opening of the pressure vessel, preferably a filter device, via which the removal of the at least one reaction product of the filling material takes place.

A further advantageous embodiment of the invention is characterized by at least one control device for at least partially automatic control of the supply of biomass, water and / or at least one catalyst, the temperature and / or pressure conditions in the pressure vessel, the transport of the contents through the pressure vessel and / or the removal of the at least one reaction product of the filling material from the pressure vessel.

In a further, particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the device according to the invention is designed and / or set up to carry out a method according to the invention at least partially.

Further details, features and advantages of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the embodiments of the invention shown in the figures of the drawing. Showing:

1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a device for the hydrothermal carbonization of biomass in a discontinuous operation according to the prior art; FIG. 2 a shows a schematic illustration of an embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention for the hydrothermal carbonization of biomass in a continuous operation; FIG.

Fig. 2b in a schematic diagram of another

Embodiment of a device according to the invention for the hydrothermal carbonization of biomass in a continuous operation;

3 shows a sectional side view of an exemplary embodiment of a pressure vessel according to the invention for the hydrothermal carbonization of biomass in a continuous operation according to FIG. 2a;

4 shows a schematic side view of an exemplary embodiment of a pressure vessel according to the invention for the hydrothermal carbonization of biomass in a continuous operation according to FIG. 2b;

5a-5c show a schematic illustration of an embodiment of an inventive filling of the pressure vessel of a device according to the invention for the hydrothermal carbonization of biomass in a continuous operation via a lock chamber.

6 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of an inventive filling of the pressure vessel of a device according to the invention for the hydrothermal carbonization of biomass in a continuous operation via an eccentric screw pump;

7 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a part of a regulation according to the invention of a device according to the invention for the hydrothermal carbonization of biomass in a continuous operation; FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a device according to the invention for the hydrothermal carbonization of biomass in a continuous operation with a filling via a piston-pressing device; FIG.

Fig. 9 in a schematic schematic diagram of another

Embodiment of a device according to the invention for the hydrothermal carbonization of biomass in a continuous operation with a filling via a piston-pressing device;

Fig. 10 in a schematic schematic diagram of another

Embodiment of a device according to the invention for the hydrothermal carbonization of biomass in a continuous operation of Fig. 8;

Fig. 11 in a schematic schematic diagram of another

Fig. 12 in a schematic cross-sectional view another

Embodiment of a pressure vessel according to the invention of a device according to the invention for the hydrothermal carbonization of biomass in a continuous operation;

Fig. 13 in a schematic side view another

Exemplary embodiment of a pressure vessel according to the invention of a device according to the invention for the hydrothermal carbonization of biomass;

14a shows a schematic side view of a further exemplary embodiment of a pressure vessel according to the invention of a device according to the invention for the hydrothermal carbonization of biomass; Fig. 14b is a view of the end face of the bottom of the pressure vessel of Fig. 14a;

Fig. 15 in a schematic side view another

16a shows a schematic side view of an exemplary embodiment of a special flange of a pressure vessel according to the invention of a device according to the invention for the hydrothermal carbonization of biomass;

Fig. 16b is a view of the end face of the special flange pressure vessel of Fig. 16a;

Fig. 17 in a schematic schematic diagram of another

Embodiment of a device according to the invention for the hydrothermal carbonization of biomass;

18a shows a schematic side view of an exemplary embodiment of a conveying device according to the invention in a pressure vessel according to the invention of a device according to the invention for the hydrothermal carbonization of biomass;

FIG. 18b shows a view of an end face of the conveyor device according to FIG. 18a; FIG.

FIG. 19a shows a schematic illustration of another embodiment of a device according to the invention for the hydrothermal carbonization of biomass; FIG.

FIG. 19b shows a schematic side view of the outer container of the device according to FIG. 19a; FIG.

Fig. 19c is a schematic end view of the outer container of Fig. 19b and 19d shows a schematic side view of the pressure vessel of the device according to FIG. 19a.

1 shows a device for the hydrothermal carbonization of biomass in a discontinuous operation according to the prior art. In this case, an existing from biomass with water and at least one catalyst product 1 is filled in a first pressure vessel 2 (start container) and the pressure vessel 2 then sealed pressure-tight. Subsequently, with the increase in temperature and pressure in the pressure vessel 2, the conversion or conversion of the biomass is carried out. The pressure vessel is maintained at a temperature of about 180 degrees Celsius to about 200 degrees Celsius. The duration of this exothermic conversion process in the present case is about twelve hours. Subsequently, the pressure vessel 2 is opened and the conversion product taken from the pressure vessel 2. The removal takes place in the present case via a shut-off device 3 in a pressure vessel 4 (follow container 1). Connected to the pressure vessel 4 in a correspondingly cascaded manner via shut-off elements 5 and 7, respectively, are further pressure vessels 6 or 8 (follow-up containers 2 to follow-up containers n). At the end of the cascade located pressure vessel 8, the reaction product 10, in this case in particular in the form of coal sludge, finally taken over a shut-9. In the present case, the withdrawn reaction product is fed to the first pressure vessel 2 (start tank) via a heating pipe system having a pump 11 to utilize the heat of reaction. Overall, the machinery and / or plant technical effort and the operating and personnel costs in such a discontinuous process management are significant, especially in view of the numerous pressure vessels, shut-off valves and / or pumps that need to be opened or closed at different times and orders, including still the respective temperature and / or pressure conditions must be considered and adjusted.

FIGS. 2 a and 2b each show an exemplary embodiment of a device according to the invention for the hydrothermal carbonization of biomass in a continuous operation. In this case, a filling material 12 consisting of biomass with water and at least one catalyst is formed in a pressure vessel 13 formed by a pipeline with at least one controllable inlet opening and at least one controllable outlet opening or 13 'converted by temperature and / or pressure increase in substances 16 such as coal, oil and / or the like related substances. In the present case, a controllable shut-off device 14 is arranged on the side of the controllable inlet opening. In the present case, a controllable shut-off device 15 is arranged on the side of the controllable outlet opening. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 2a, the pressure vessel 13 forming the raw pipe is formed straight. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 2b, the pressure vessel 13 'forming the pipe between the obturator 14 of the inlet opening and the obturator 15 of the outlet opening in the present case two substantially U-shaped bends.

In operation, the pressure vessel 13 or 13 'forming pipeline via the controllable obturator 14 of the inlet opening of the pressure vessel 13, the existing biomass, water and / or at least one catalyst 12 is supplied and then the pressure vessel 13 or 13' sealed pressure-tight. Then, the temperature and the pressure in the pressure vessel 13 and 13 'are increased. The temperature and / or pressure conditions in the pressure vessel 13 or 13 'are controlled such that the pressure vessel 13 or 13' supplied product 12 is transported independently and preferably defined through the pipeline. The biomass, water and catalyst of the product in the pipeline react with each other. According to the invention, a mass layer passes through the pressure vessel designed as a pipeline during the conversion process. The length of the pipeline, in conjunction with the filling quantity - and thus with the size or the diameter of the pipeline - determines the duration of the process. Via the controllable obturator 15 of the outlet opening of the pressure vessel 13 or 13 ', the reaction product 16, in this case in particular in the form of coal sludge and / or oil-like products, finally for further processing and / or use by opening the obturator 15 is removed. The embodiment according to the invention advantageously allows a continuous operation, wherein via the controllable inlet opening the pressure vessel 13 or 13 'continuously, that is present sometimes at intervals, contents 12 is supplied and via the controllable outlet opening of the pressure vessel 13 or 13' continuously, the In the present case, sometimes also at intervals, the reaction product 16 is taken. The illustrated in Fig. 3 in a sectional side view of the invention illustrated pressure vessel 17 for hydrothermal carbonization of biomass in a continuous operation of Fig. 2a is formed of two straight, different diameter and substantially coaxially arranged extending pipes 18 and 19, an inner tube 18th and an outer tube 19. At the free ends of the inner tube (inner tube 18) forming the pipe 18, flanges 20 and 21 are welded. The flanges 20 and 21 are used for receiving or connecting controllable shut-off valves for the inlet opening or the outlet opening of the pressure vessel 17. In the region of the right in Fig. 3 end of the pipe 18, this is welded via a compensator 22 to the flange 21. In the space between the inner pipe 18 and the outer pipe 19 are present distributed over the length of the pipes 18 and 19 and spaced apart from each other ring-shaped stabilizing ribs 23 are arranged. The stabilizing ribs 23 in particular prevent damage and / or bending of the outer pipe 19, which due to the weight of the pressure vessel 17, in particular in the filled state and during operation, could be caused by the support relationship way 24 Aufstelllager of the pressure vessel 17.

The space between the inner pipe 18 and the outer pipe 19 is present preferably unpressurized, that is without pressurization with a heat transfer medium (not shown in Fig. 3), preferably a bio / thermal oil, filled, which for heating the pressure vessel 17, in particular the inner pipe 18, serves. Advantageously, the heating of the pressure vessel 17 is controlled by the temperature of the oil. This arrangement ensures in a simple manner that the entire process takes place at a uniform or unified temperature. Furthermore, as part of the process flow at the respective points in the pipeline 18 resulting heat energy (reactor heat) is dissipated directly and thus supplied to areas where the conversion process has already taken place or has progressed further. Overheating of individual process sections is thereby prevented. To further improve the heating, a heat insulation 25 is arranged or applied to the outer pipe 19 of the pressure vessel 17. In the illustrated in Fig. 4 pressure vessel 26 according to the invention for the hydrothermal carbonization of biomass in a continuous operation of Fig. 2b is provided at their free ends with flanges 27 and 28 bent pipe 29 through a closed container 30, which for heating the pipeline 29 preferably unpressurized with a heat transfer medium 31, in this case a bio / thermal oil, is filled.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5a to 5c, the filling of the pressure vessel with the biomass, water and / or at least one catalyst via at least one lock chamber 32 with a controllable inlet opening and a controllable outlet opening, which in front of the at least one controllable inlet opening of Pressure vessel is arranged. The controllability of the inlet opening of the lock chamber 32 is realized in the present case with a slide 33 which is controllable via an actuator or a drive 34. The controllability of the outlet opening of the lock chamber 32 is realized in the present case with a slide 35 which is controllable via an actuator or a drive 36. The lock chamber 32 can be sealed by means of the controllable slide 33 against a refill bearing 37 for biomass, water and / or catalyst and by means of the controllable slide 35 with respect to the pressure vessel.

In continuous operation, the filling material 38 consisting of biomass, water and / or at least one catalyst is stored in front of the inlet opening of the lock chamber 32, in the present case in the refill bearing 37. When the inlet opening of the lock chamber 32 is opened by the controllable slide 33 - as shown in FIG. 5a shown - filling material 38 in the lock chamber 32, in this case by falling. The lock chamber 32, which is substantially completely filled with contents 38 ', is then closed by adjusting the controllable slide 33 of the inlet opening of the lock chamber 32 (see Fig. 5b) and then the pressure in the lock chamber 32 is adjusted to the pressure in the pressure container. In Fig. 5b, this pressure equalization is symbolically represented by a pressure equalization line 39 between the closed lock chamber 32 and the adjoining the slide 35 of the lock chamber 32 section which is connected to the at least one controllable inlet opening of the pressure vessel. The pressure equalization takes place in the present case with a pump by means of compressed air or water. After reaching the target pressure, in this case the Angleichdrucks, in the Lock chamber 32, the outlet opening of the lock chamber 32 by adjusting the controllable slide 35 is opened (see Fig. 5c). Subsequently, the pressure in the lock chamber 32 is increased, represented symbolically in FIG. 5c by the arrow marked 40. Due to the increase in pressure, the filling material 38 'located in the lock chamber 32 is pressed into the pressure vessel-as shown in FIG. 5c-and the pressure vessel is filled. After emptying the lock chamber 32, this is closed again by adjusting the controllable slide 35 of the outlet opening of the lock chamber 32. Subsequently, the process repeats beginning with Fig. 5a.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, the filling container 38 of a device 26 according to the invention for the hydrothermal carbonization of biomass in a continuous operation is continuously filled with biomass, water and / or at least one catalyst via at least one eccentric screw pump 41 with integrated pressure control 42 supplied, which is arranged in front of the at least one controllable inlet opening of the pressure vessel 29.

Due to the in the context of feeding of filling material into the pressure vessel of a device according to the invention for the hydrothermal carbonization of biomass in a continuous operation according to FIGS. 5a to 5c by means of a lock chamber 32 and FIG. 6 by means of an eccentric screw 41 part of a control according to the invention the pressure in the pressure vessel increases. To control the pressure conditions to be maintained for the conversion process, as shown in FIG. 7, such an internal pressure increase is conducted in a pressure vessel 43 according to the invention to a control circuit 44 which opens or closes a control element 45 forming the controllable outlet opening of the pressure vessel 43. Due to the process flow in the pressure vessel 43 is in the present case via the pressure in the interior of the pressure vessel 43 to the control element 45 coal 46 dissolved in finely divided, spherical form dissolved in water removed.

The finely divided, spherical carbon particles dissolved in the water are advantageously removed by filtration, preferably by means of filtration devices, decanters and / or centrifuges. The wet coal mass is then in coal pellets with a diameter of about 6 mm to about 60 mm or pressed into briquettes. The coal pellets are advantageously used in particular because of their high purity as a base product for the chemical industry, as a fertilizer or as directly usable or useful for combustion processes.

Instead of finely divided, spherical carbon particles dissolved in water, oil- or oil-like products advantageously form at certain pressure and / or temperature conditions, taking into account the concentration of the catalyst and / or the process or throughput time.

In the embodiment of a device 47 according to the invention for the hydrothermal carbonization of biomass in a continuous operation shown in Fig. 8, the supply of biomass, water and / or at least one catalyst existing filling 48 takes place in the pressure vessel 49 of the device 47 via a piston-pressing device 50. The piston-pressing device 50 has a chamber 51 with an inlet opening 52, a controllable outlet opening 53 and a piston movable in the chamber 51

54 for pressing located in the chamber 51 Good on. The controllability of the outlet opening 53 of the piston chamber 51 is present with a slide

55 realized, which is controllable via an actuator or a drive 56. In the present case, the controllable inlet opening of the pressure vessel 49 is formed by the controllable outlet opening 53 of the piston chamber 51.

As part of the feeding of filling material 48 into the pressure vessel 49, filling material 48 is first introduced into the piston chamber 51 when the outlet opening 53 is closed and the piston 54 is withdrawn. Subsequently, the filling material 48 located in the piston chamber 51 is pre-pressed to a defined pressure by means of the piston 54. Upon reaching the defined pressure, the slider 55 opens from the piston chamber 51 to the pressure vessel 49 and the piston 51 presses the compressed filling material 48 into the pressure vessel 49. Subsequently, the slide 55 closes the inlet opening of the pressure vessel 49 of the device 47 and thus the outlet opening 53 the chamber 51 of the piston-pressing device 50.

By pressing the pre-pressed contents into the pressure vessel 49, the pressure in the interior of the pressure vessel 49 simultaneously increases in the present case. In the present case, this pressure increase is used to remove a chamber 57 for removal (Outlet chamber / lock chamber) to be filled by reaction products of the invention in the pressure vessel 49 converted contents with reaction products of the contents.

In the present case, the chamber 57 has a controllable inlet opening 58 and a controllable outlet opening 59. In the present case, the controllable outlet opening of the pressure vessel 49 is formed by the controllable inlet opening 58 of the chamber 57. The controllability of the inlet opening 58 of the lock chamber 57 is realized in the present case with a slide 60 which is controllable via an actuator or a drive 61. The controllability of the outlet opening 59 of the chamber 57 is realized in the present case with a slide 62, which is controllable via an actuator 63 or a drive 63.

To fill the chamber 57 of the slider 60 opens the chamber 57. Before the slider 60 befindliches reaction product of the contents, in this case a water-carbon mixture, is then pressed from the pressure vessel 49 into the open chamber 57. With the completion of this press-fitting process, the slide 60 also closes off the inlet opening 58 of the lock chamber 57 in a pressure-tight manner relative to the pressure vessel 49. The reaction product located in the lock chamber 57 can then be removed via the slide 62 of the lock chamber 57, sometimes with the use of a controllable pressure compensation container 64 as needed. In FIG. 8, the removal is shown symbolically by the arrow marked with the reference numeral 65.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 8, the pressure vessel 49 is formed by straight pipe 49, which passes through another, in the present case also designed as a straight pipe line container 66. The space between the pipe 49 of the pressure vessel 49 and the pipe 66 of the container is presently filled with a bio / thermal oil as a heat transfer medium, which is guided for heating the pressure vessel 49 advantageously under pressure in a circuit and heated or heated as needed.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 9 differs from the embodiment shown in FIG. 8 of a device 47 according to the invention hydrothermal carbonization of biomass in a continuous operation by the design of the pressure vessel 49 'and the container 66' through which the pressure vessel is performed. The pressure vessel 49 'of the device 47 of FIG. 9 is formed by a curved pipe 49'. The arrangement of the bends of the pipe 49 'is advantageously designed so that the lighter biomass / coal is always transported against the buoyancy through the pipe 49'. Occasionally, diaphragms 49 'are disposed in the pipeline 49' as reflux and / or lift barriers 68 (shown symbolically in FIG. 9).

The embodiment shown in FIG. 10 of a device 47 according to the invention for the hydrothermal carbonization of biomass in a continuous operation substantially corresponds in structure and mode of operation to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8 and described above. Among other things, the transport of the biomass through the pressure vessel 49 depends on the consistency and / or the composition of the biomass to be filled into the pressure vessel 49. In order to operate the device 47 largely independent of the consistency and / or composition of the filled into the pressure vessel 49 biomass is in the pressure vessel forming pipe 49 a conveyor 69, in this case a screw helix 69 having screw conveyor with an external slow-speed motor Drive integrated. The contents of biomass, water and catalyst is transported by rotation of the screw spiral in the pressure vessel to the outlet opening 58 of the pressure vessel 49. The rotational speed of the screw conveyor is controllable and, in addition, the process of the conversion according to the invention. In the present case, the screw flight is essentially flush with the inner cross section of the pipeline 49 of the pressure vessel 49.

The illustrated in Fig. 11 embodiment of a device according to the invention 47 for the hydrothermal carbonization of biomass in a continuous operation corresponds in construction and operation substantially the embodiment shown in Fig. 8 and described above and differs from the embodiment shown in Fig. 10 by the used conveyor 69 'to support the transport of biomass through the pressure vessel 49. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 11, the conveyor 69' through a controllable pump is formed, which regulates the pressure gradient between the inlet opening and the outlet opening of the pressure vessel, in particular taking into account the pressure conditions to be observed for the conversion process.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 12 in a schematic side view of a pressure vessel according to the invention of a device for hydrothermal carbonization of biomass in a continuous operation, the pressure vessel forming pipe is arranged as a arranged in a large pipe 70 pipe package from present total seven individual pipes 71 and admitted. The large tube 70 serves at the same time as a container for the heat transfer medium. Due to this construction, the erfindungsgenmäße device can be advantageously carried out transportable.

13 shows a schematic side view of a further pressure vessel

73 of a device according to the invention for the hydrothermal carbonization of biomass, present in particular with inventive disorganization of the biomass. The pressure vessel 73 is essentially composed of a reactor tube which is closed at the left end in FIG. 13 with a dished bottom 77 and at the right-hand end with a connection flange

74 is provided. The reactor tube of the pressure vessel 73 is presently a spiral-welded tube DN600 with a length L of about 6.00 m and a diameter D of about 0.60 m. Distributed over the length of the pressure vessel 73 and spaced apart from each other are connecting pieces 75 with a diameter of approximately 1.25 inches, in particular for supplying substances or removing intermediate substances.

In the pressure vessel 73, the hydrothermal carbonization process according to the invention advantageously takes place with disorganization of the biomass at an operating temperature of about 250 degrees Celsius to about 450 degrees Celsius, an operating pressure of about 25 bar to about 300 bar and coal production with a pH of 4.5 as well as in oil production with a pH between pH6 and pH9. The maximum operating pressure of the pressure vessel

73 is present by a rupture disk 76 in the region of the connection flange

74 limited. In the embodiment of a device according to the invention for the hydrothermal carbonization of biomass shown in FIGS. 14a and 14b, the pressure vessel 78 is essentially formed by a pipeline. The pressure vessel 78 has a port 79 with a flange 80. Distributed over its length and spaced apart from each other, the pressure vessel 78 has spigot 81 with a diameter of about 1, 25 inches and further, the pressure vessel 78 in the region of the left in Fig. 14a end of its bottom connecting sleeves 82 having a diameter of about 0.75 Inch up. In the present case, the connection stubs 81 and connection sleeves 82 are used in particular for supplying substances or removing intermediate substances. As further illustrated in FIG. 14 a, the container 80 has an inner bearing shell 83 for an agitator shaft which, in particular in conjunction with a corresponding disorganizing device, serves for disorganizing the biomass according to the invention.

The illustrated in Fig. 15 embodiment of a device according to the invention for the hydrothermal carbonization of biomass corresponds substantially to the embodiment shown in Fig. 14 a and Fig. 14b, but in the present case the pressure vessel 78 'of a pipe with a double jacket for heating, especially with thermal oil , is trained. At the right-hand end in FIG. 15, the pressure vessel 78 'can be closed by a special flange 84 either by means of a blind flange, so that a pressure vessel for a batch-oriented hydrothermal carbonization of biomass is given, or can be set up and used with a connection flange as a through-pipeline.

16a and 16b show an exemplary embodiment of an embodiment of a blind flange for a special flange 84 of a pressure vessel according to the invention according to the pressure vessel 78 'according to FIG. 15. The special flange 84 in this case points to the pipeline of the pressure vessel 78' facing in FIG. 16a On the left-hand side, a mesh basket 85, which advantageously engages over the basket of a conveyor screw device arranged in the pipeline, which is rotatably mounted on the opposite side in the bearing shell 83. In the present case, the mesh basket 85 has a mesh width of a maximum of 5 mm. On the side of the special flange 84 opposite the mesh basket 85, there are three connecting stubs sealed with blind flanges 86, 87 and 88 intended. Furthermore, the special flange 84 in the present case has four connection sleeves 89 with a diameter of approximately 0.75 inches.

17 shows, in a schematic basic illustration, a further exemplary embodiment of a device 90 according to the invention for the hydrothermal carbonization of biomass. In this case, four individual, the pressure vessel forming pipes 91 are arranged in a container container 92. In this case, the pipelines have connecting or blind flanges 93, depending on the need and configuration of the process control. The device according to the invention can be built up advantageously in a modular manner. This modularity is supported when using a separate heat generator module 94, which is used for heating the pressure vessel in particular also with waste heat.

18a and FIG. 18b show an exemplary embodiment of a screw flight 95 resting against the wall of the pipeline of a pressure vessel according to the invention as a conveying device, which in the present case is arranged on a hollow shaft 96, which is rotatably arranged in the pressure vessel on or in a bearing shell 83.

A further exemplary embodiment of a device 97 according to the invention for the hydrothermal carbonization of biomass is shown in FIGS. 19a to 19d. The device 97 comprises a pressure vessel 98 formed of a bent multi-turn piping having a controllable inlet 99 and a controllable outlet 100. The pressure vessel 98 is guided with its windings through an outer container 101 which is filled with a heat transfer medium, in this case a thermal oil. The thermal oil is guided in a circuit through the container 101, for which purpose it has a controllable inlet opening 102 and a controllable outlet opening 103. In the present case, the container 101 of the device 97 is designed as a double-walled cylinder, into which the pressure vessel is inserted or inserted (compare, in particular, FIGS. 19b and 19c). The device is due to their design, overall very compact and thus also portable transportable. In the present case, the container 101 has an outer diameter of about 0.90 m, an inner diameter of about 0.80 m and a height of about 2.00 m. Advantageously, the embodiments of the invention described above, individually and / or in combination with one another, enable a continuous hydrothermal carbonization of biomass with a continuous and / or batch-oriented splitting of cellulose into sugar molecules by means of a pressure vessel serving as a reactor for producing coal, oil and / or polymers biomass.

Particularly preferably, a disorganization of the plant structures takes place before and / or during the conversion process taking place in the pressure vessel.

In a first embodiment, the disorganization takes place by means of ultrasound in a tube. The biomass is conveyed from a storage container by means of a screw or piston diaphragm pump in a vertical tube. In this tube is an ultrasonic transmitter, against which the biomass is promoted. The degree of disorganization depends on the conveying speed, the power of the ultrasonic transmitter and the delivery pressure. The disorganized material flows around the ultrasound exciter and is transported further by the delivery pressure of the subsequent material. In this step, a first heating of the biomass takes place.

The correspondingly pre-treated or recycled material is fed through a tube to a microwave flow reactor, which heats the material in the flow to about 150 degrees Celsius to about 180 degrees Celsius. The heating phase lasts about three minutes to about ten minutes. The material is conveyed by the pump pressure of the screw or piston diaphragm pump used for predisorganisation by means of ultrasound and a high pressure pump in front of the microwave flow reactor. The microwave flow reactor consists in the present case of a non-polar material and is in a microwave irradiated space. The heating can alternatively and / or additionally also be effected by microwave introduction via waveguides into a metallic tube. The thus heated material is passed through a proportional valve, which controls the pressure within the reaction chamber, in a flash tank. The pressure within the reaction space can additionally be adjusted and / or controlled by pump pressure or gas pressure above the temperature corresponding to the vapor pressure curve values. The thus further disorganized by means of microwave irradiation, prepared material then expanded in a container under atmospheric pressure. This relaxation further disassembles previously damaged cell structures and complex molecules such as cellulose.

The successful disorganization of the biomass, individually and / or in combination with each other, advantageously accelerates the hydrothermal carbonation conversion process.

Further, the material is heated to a temperature between about 180 degrees Celsius and about 250 degrees Celsius in a microwave reactor having a reaction space shaped as a helix (see Fig. 19d). The reaction (conversion process) is carried out in the flow and over a period of about three minutes to about 20 minutes. The reaction takes place at pressures of about 15 bar to about 300 bar. In this case, the reaction mixture further reactants and catalysts can be supplied. The supply of hydrogen H and carbon monoxide CO leads to the formation of complex organic structures, such as polymers. The resulting in this way suspension and solution of monomers and / or polymers in water is forwarded to form new organizational structures / molecular structures in a likewise heated pipe. The reaction time is up to four hours, depending on the desired end product. The use of ultrasonic waves during the reaction under microwave irradiation in the first 20 minutes results in the production of pure carbon.

The embodiments of the invention shown in the figures of the drawing and described in connection therewith are merely illustrative of the invention and are not restrictive thereof.

LIST OF REFERENCES:

1 medium (biomass, water and / or catalyst)

2 pressure vessels (start container)

3 shut-off device

4 pressure vessels (follow tank 1)

5 shut-off device

6 pressure vessels (follow tank 2)

7 Shut-off device Pressure vessel (subsequent container) Shut-off device

10 reaction product (coal sludge)

11 pump

12 contents (biomass, water and / or catalyst)

13 pressure vessel / pipe (straight) 13 'pressure vessel / pipe (bent)

14 shut-off device (inlet opening)

15 shut-off device (outlet opening)

16 reaction product (coal sludge)

17 Apparatus for hydrothermal carbonization of biomass Pressure vessel / pipe (inner pipe) Tank / pipe line (outer pipe) Flange Flange Compensator Stabilization / stabilization rib Support / Supporting Bearing Thermal insulation Device for the hydrothermal carbonization of biomass Flange Flange Pressure vessel / pipeline Container Heat transfer medium / bio / thermal oil Sluice chamber Slide Actuator / actuator (slide (33)) Slide actuator / actuator (slide (35)) 37 refill store / funnel

38 filling material (biomass, water and / or catalyst)

38 'medium (biomass, water and / or catalyst) in lock chamber (32))

39 Pressure compensation / pressure compensation line

40 pressure increase / pump

41 Excentric screw pump 41 with integrated pressure control (42)

42 Pressure control (eccentric screw pump (41))

43 pressure vessel / pipeline

44 control loop

45 control organ

46 reaction product (coal dissolved in water in finely divided, spherical form)

47 Apparatus for hydrothermal carbonization of biomass

48 Filling material (biomass, water and / or catalyst) 9 Pressure vessel / pipeline 9 'Pressure vessel / pipeline 0 Piston pressing device 1 Chamber / piston chamber 2 Inlet opening (chamber (51)) Outlet opening (chamber (51)) Piston Slide Actuator / actuator (slide (55)) Chamber / lock chamber Inlet port (chamber (57)) Outlet port (chamber (57)) Slide actuator / actuator (slide (60)) Slide actuator / actuator ( Slider (62)) Controllable surge tank Removal Reaction product Container / Piping 'Container Heat transfer medium / Bio- / Thermo-oil Backflow and / or buoyancy barrier Conveyor / Conveyor screw / Helix screw Conveyor / Pump Large Pipe Tube / Tube Package Heat Transfer Medium / Bio- / Thermo Oil Device for hydrothermal carbonization of biomass Flange Connection Rupture disc Dished bottom Device for hydrothermal carbonization of biomass Device for the hydrothermal carbonization of biomass Pressure vessel / pipeline Flange Connection socket Connection sleeve Bearing shell Special flange Mesh basket Connection piece Connection piece 88 connection piece

89 connection sleeve

90 Apparatus for hydrothermal carbonization of biomass

91 pressure vessel / pipeline

92 containers / container containers

93 flange

94 heat generator module

95 screw conveyor / spiral screw

96 hollow shaft

97 Apparatus for hydrothermal carbonization of biomass

98 pressure vessel / pipeline

99 inlet opening (pressure vessel (98))

100 outlet opening (pressure vessel (98))

101 containers / container containers

102 inlet opening (container container (101))

103 outlet opening (container container (101))

Claims

Claims:

1. A method for the hydrothermal carbonization of biomass, wherein

Biomass is converted with water and at least one catalyst in a pressure vessel by increasing the temperature and / or pressure in substances such as coal, oil and / or the like kindred materials, characterized in that the biomass is disorganized prior to conversion and / or during the conversion.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the disorganization takes place by means of ultrasound.

3. The method according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the biomass is promoted using a pump, preferably a screw pump or a piston diaphragm pump, against an arranged in a pipeline ultrasonic transmitter.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that the promotion in particular in terms of conveying speed and / or capacity of the pump, the power of the ultrasonic transmitter and / or the delivery pressure is controllable, preferably via at least one control device

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the disorganization is effected by means of microwave irradiation.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the biomass is passed through a at least one reaction space having microwave flow reactor.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that the guided through the microwave flow reactor biomass is heated.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that the biomass is heated to a temperature in a temperature range between about 150 degrees Celsius to about 250 degrees Celsius.

9. The method according to claim 7 or claim 8, characterized in that the heating phase is between about 3 minutes to about 20 minutes.

10. The method according to any one of claims 6 to 7, characterized by a pressure in the reaction space of the microwave flow reactor in a pressure range between about 15 bar to about 30 bar.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the disorganization is effected by decompression, wherein pressurized biomass in a container at a lower pressure, preferably atmospheric pressure, relaxed.

12. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that biomass, water and / or at least one catalyst are fed to a pressure vessel designed essentially as a pipeline with at least one controllable inlet opening and at least one controllable outlet opening via the at least one controllable inlet opening. the temperature and / or pressure conditions are controlled in the pressure vessel such that biomass, water and catalyst supplied to the pressure vessel is transported through the pipeline, wherein biomass, water and catalyst react with each other, and at least one reaction product via the at least one controllable outlet opening of the contents is removed.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized by a continuous supply of biomass, water and / or at least one catalyst.

14. The method of claim 12 or claim 13, characterized in that the temperature and / or pressure conditions are controlled in the pressure vessel so that the pressure vessel supplied contents of biomass, water and catalyst defined transported through the pipeline.

15. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the supply of biomass, water and / or at least one catalyst via at least one before the at least one controllable The lock chamber is arranged on the part of the at least one controllable inlet opening with at least one storage reservoir of biomass, water and / or at least one catalyst and the at least one controllable outlet opening with the at least one controllable inlet opening and at least one controllable outlet opening at least one controllable inlet opening of the pressure vessel is connectable.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that the transport of biomass, water and / or at least one catalyst from the lock chamber takes place in the pressure vessel by pressurization.

17. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the supply of biomass, water and / or at least one catalyst via a arranged in front of the at least one controllable inlet opening of the pressure vessel piston-pressing device, wherein the piston-pressing device is a chamber having at least one inlet opening, at least one controllable outlet opening and a piston movable in the chamber for pressing material located in the chamber.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that the transport of biomass, water and / or at least one catalyst from the chamber into the pressure vessel is carried out by means of the piston constructed pressurization.

19. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that the supply of biomass, water and / or at least one catalyst via an arranged in front of the at least one controllable inlet opening of the pressure vessel eccentric screw pump with pressure control.

20. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that the transport of befindlichem in the pressure vessel Füllgut is supported by a preferably in the pipeline of the Pressure vessel arranged controllable conveyor, particularly preferably in the form of a controllable screw conveyor.

21. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that the delivery volume of the conveyor is controllable, preferably via a control device.

22. The method according to claim 20 or claim 21, characterized in that the conveyor screw extends substantially over the entire length of the pipeline of the pressure vessel and is adapted substantially flush with the inner cross section of the pipeline of the pressure vessel.

23. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 22, characterized in that the temperature and / or pressure conditions are controlled in the pressure vessel via the at least one controllable inlet opening and / or the at least one controllable outlet opening, preferably via at least one control device.

24. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 23, characterized in that the pressure vessel is heated.

25. The method according to claim 24, characterized in that the pipeline of the pressure vessel is at least partially disposed in a container with at least one heat transfer medium, preferably oil, fillable container and the heating of the pressure vessel is controlled by the temperature of the at least one heat transfer medium in the container.

26. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 25, characterized by using a thickener, preferably corn starch such as cereal and / or potato starch, for the contents of biomass, water and at least one catalyst.

27. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 26, characterized in that the removal of the at least one reaction product of the filling material via an at least one controllable outlet opening of the Pressure vessel arranged separator takes place, preferably by filtering.

28. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 27, characterized in that the reaction product is pressed before and / or after removal.

29. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that the supply of biomass, water and / or at least one catalyst, the temperature and / or pressure conditions in the pressure vessel, the transport of the contents through the pressure vessel and / or the Removal of the at least one reaction product of the filling material from the pressure vessel via a control.

30. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 29, characterized in that the temperature in the pressure vessel is kept constant at least over the time duration of the transport of the contents through the pressure vessel.

31. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 30, characterized in that the temperature in the pressure vessel at least over the time duration of the transport of the contents through the pressure vessel in a range between about 140.00 degrees Celsius to about 240.00 degrees Celsius, preferably between about 180.00 degrees Celsius to about 200.00 degrees Celsius.

32. Apparatus for hydrothermal carbonization of biomass, wherein

Biomass with water and at least one catalyst in one

Pressure vessel by increasing the temperature and / or pressure in substances such as

Coal, oil and / or the like kindredients substances is converted, characterized by at least one device for disorganization of biomass, which is arranged in fluid communication before and / or in the pressure vessel.

33. Apparatus according to claim 32, characterized in that the disorganizing device at least one ultrasonic transmitter, at least a microwave flow reactor and / or at least one decompression device.

34. Apparatus according to claim 32 or claim 33, characterized in that the pressure vessel is formed from at least one pipeline with at least one controllable inlet opening and at least one controllable outlet opening.

35. Apparatus according to claim 34, characterized in that the pipe between the at least one inlet opening and the at least one outlet opening has at least one bend, preferably at least one substantially U-shaped bend.

36. The apparatus of claim 34 or claim 35, characterized in that the at least one pipe of the pressure vessel is at least partially disposed in a container with at least one heat transfer medium, preferably oil, fillable container.

37. Device according to one of claims 32 to 36, characterized by at least one controllable heating device for controlling the temperature in the pressure vessel.

38. Apparatus according to claim 36 and claim 37, characterized in that the temperature of the heat transfer medium in the container via the heating device is controllable.

39. Device according to one of claims 34 to 38, characterized by at least one arranged in front of the at least one controllable inlet opening of the pressure vessel lock chamber for supplying biomass, water and / or at least one catalyst through the at least one controllable inlet opening of the pressure vessel, comprising at least one controllable Inlet opening and at least one controllable outlet opening.

40. Apparatus according to claim 39, characterized in that the lock chamber by the at least one controllable inlet opening with at least one storage reservoir of biomass, water and / or at least one catalyst and on the part of the at least one controllable outlet opening with the at least one controllable inlet opening of the pressure vessel is connectable.

41. Apparatus according to claim 39 or claim 40, characterized in that the controllable inlet opening of the pressure vessel forms the controllable outlet opening of the lock chamber.

42. Device according to one of claims 34 to 41, characterized by at least one pump for controllable and / or controllable pressurization of the lock chamber.

43. Device according to one of claims 34 to 42, characterized by a front of the at least one controllable inlet opening of the pressure vessel arranged piston-pressing device for supplying biomass, water and / or at least one catalyst through the at least one controllable inlet opening of the pressure vessel, comprising a chamber with at least one inlet opening, at least one controllable outlet opening and a piston movable in the chamber for pressing material located in the chamber.

44. Device according to one of claims 34 to 43, characterized by a arranged in front of the at least one controllable inlet opening of the pressure vessel eccentric screw pump with pressure control for supplying biomass, water and / or at least one catalyst through the at least one controllable inlet opening of the pressure vessel.

45. Device according to one of claims 34 to 44, characterized by a preferably arranged in the pipeline of the pressure vessel controllable conveyor, preferably in the form of a controllable screw conveyor, to support the transport of befindlichem in the pressure vessel Füllgut.

46. Apparatus according to claim 45, characterized in that the delivery volume of the conveyor is controllable, preferably via a control device.

47. Apparatus according to claim 45 or claim 46, characterized in that the screw conveyor extends substantially over the entire length of the pipeline of the pressure vessel and is adapted substantially flush with the inner cross section of the pipeline of the pressure vessel.

48. Device according to one of claims 34 to 47, characterized by a preferably controllable device for heating the pressure vessel.

49. Device according to one of claims 34 to 48, characterized by at least one control device for at least partially automatic control of the temperature and / or pressure conditions in the pressure vessel via the at least one controllable inlet opening and / or the at least one controllable outlet opening.

50. Device according to one of claims 34 to 49, characterized by at least one arranged after the at least one controllable outlet opening of the pressure vessel separating device, preferably filter device, via which takes place the removal of the at least one reaction product of the filling material.

51. Device according to one of claims 34 to 50, characterized by at least one control device for at least partially automatic control of the supply of biomass, water and / or at least one catalyst, the temperature and / or pressure conditions in the pressure vessel, the transport of the contents through the Pressure vessel and / or the removal of the at least one reaction product of the contents from the pressure vessel.

52. Device according to one of claims 32 to 51, characterized in that it is formed and / or arranged to execute a method according to one of claims 1 to 31 at least partially.