CA2907106A1 - Vapor phase catalytic reactor for upgrade of fuels produced by fast pyrolysis of biomass - Google Patents

Abstract

Vapor phase catalytic reactors and methods for using the same for upgrade of fuels produced by fast pyrolysis of biomass are disclosed.

Description

VAPOR PHASE CATALYTIC REACTOR FOR UPGRADE
OF FUELS PRODUCED BY FAST PYROLYSIS OF BIOMASS
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
61/800,262, filed on March 15, 2013, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
BACKGROUND

[0002] The extraction of bio-oil from biomass for use as a biofuel is an area of interest in the search for reliable alternative energy sources. Bio-oil produced by traditional fast pyrolysis processes is typically of relatively low quality due to the bio-oil's large degree of oxygenation, significant acidity, storage instability, tendency to polymerize, and the difficulty involved in separating the bio-oil from water and polar compounds. The low quality of the bio-oil limits its applicability in applications that require high quality fuels, such as transportation applications. Biofuels intended for these applications usually require additional processing.

[0003] Improved systems, methods, and apparatuses are needed for processing bio-oil and making biofuel.
SUMMARY

[0004] In one embodiment, a biofuel production system is provided, the system may include: a catalytic vapor phase reactor; a pyrolysis reactor operatively connected to the catalytic vapor phase reactor; a quench system operatively connected to the catalytic vapor phase reactor; a water gas shift reactor operatively connected to the quench system; and a hydrotreatment system operatively connected to the quench system.

[0005] In one embodiment, a method for catalytic pyrolysis of biomass is provided. The method may include drying a biomass. The method may include pyrolyzing the biomass to create a pyrolysis vapor. The method may include removing at least one of a char and an ash from the pyrolysis vapor. The method may include upgrading the pyrolysis vapor by vapor phase catalysis to produce an upgraded pyrolysis vapor. The method may include condensing a bio-oil from the upgraded pyrolysis vapor.

[0006] In one embodiment, a method for catalytic pyrolysis of biomass is provided, the method may include: drying a biomass in a biomass dryer; placing the biomass in a pyrolysis reactor and heating the biomass to about 500 C to create a pyrolysis vapor;
directing the pyrolysis vapor to a char and ash removal system and removing at least one of a char and an ash from the pyrolysis vapor; directing the pyrolysis vapor to a catalytic vapor phase reactor to upgrade the pyrolysis vapor; directing the pyrolysis vapor to a condenser;
and extracting a bio-oil from the condenser.

[0007] In one embodiment, a catalytic vapor phase reactor apparatus is provided, the apparatus may include: a gas-solid catalytic reactor; a feeding auger; a return auger; a hot blower; a first blower; a second blower; a first cyclone; a second cyclone; a third cyclone; a split connection; a dip leg pipe; a fluidized bed reactor; a bypass connection; and a catalyst feeding vessel; wherein the feeding auger and the return auger are operatively connected to the gas-solid catalytic reactor and the fluidized bed reactor; wherein the first cyclone and the second cyclone are operatively connected to the gas-solid catalytic reactor;
and wherein the third cyclone is operatively connected to the fluidized bed reactor.

[0008] In another embodiment, a catalytic vapor phase reactor apparatus is provided, the apparatus may include: a housing may include an auger device, a catalyst inlet, a catalyst outlet, a pyrolysis vapor inlet, and a pyrolysis vapor outlet; wherein the auger device is configured to transport a solid catalyst through at least a portion of the housing; and wherein the housing is configured to permit a pyrolysis vapor to flow through at least a portion of the housing and come into contact with the solid catalyst.

[0009] In another embodiment, a catalytic vapor phase reactor apparatus is provided, the apparatus may include: a housing may include at least one baffle, a catalyst inlet, a catalyst outlet, a pyrolysis vapor inlet, and a pyrolysis vapor outlet; wherein the housing is at least one of substantially vertical and inclined; wherein the housing is configured to permit a solid catalyst to flow through at least a portion of the housing and over at least one baffle; and wherein the housing is configured to permit a pyrolysis vapor to flow through at least a portion of the housing and come into contact with the solid catalyst.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The accompanying figures, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate various example apparatuses, systems, and methods, and are used merely to illustrate various example embodiments.

[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates an example arrangement of a biofuels production system.

[0012] FIG. 2A illustrates an example arrangement of a process for catalytic fast pyrolysis of biomass.

[0013] FIG. 2B illustrates an example arrangement of a process for catalytic fast pyrolysis of biomass.

[0014] FIG. 3 illustrates an example arrangement of a catalytic vapor phase reactor for upgrading bio-oil vapors.

[0015] FIG. 4 illustrates an example arrangement of a catalytic vapor phase reactor.

[0016] FIG. 5 illustrates an example arrangement of a catalytic vapor phase reactor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] FIG. 1 illustrates an example arrangement of a biofuels production system 100.
Biofuels production system 100 may include a catalytic vapor phase reactor ("VPR") 102 operatively connected to a pyrolysis reactor 104. Pyrolysis reactor 104 may be configured to receive a biomass 105. In one embodiment, biomass 105 may include a wood.

[0018] In one embodiment, biofuels production system 100 may include a conversion system to produce a hydrocarbon product from biomass 105. The production of the hydrocarbon fuel product may include upgrading a bio-oil product. In one embodiment, system 100 may be configured to produce at least one of a hydrocarbon fuel product, a gas, or a chemical, depending upon the catalyst type and reaction conditions.

[0019] In one embodiment, biomass 105 enters pyrolysis reactor 104 wherein biomass 105 may be pyrolyzed and converted to a pyrolysis vapor. In one embodiment, pyrolysis reactor 104 operates at an elevated temperature. In another embodiment, pyrolysis reactor 104 operates at a temperature between about 300 C and about 600 C. In another embodiment, pyrolysis reactor 104 operates at a temperature between about 350 C and about 550 C. In another embodiment, pyrolysis reactor 104 operates at a temperature between about 400 C and about 500 C. In another embodiment, pyrolysis reactor 104 operates at a temperature capable of converting biomass 105 to a vapor. In one embodiment, char produced in the pyrolysis of biomass 105 may be removed from pyrolysis reactor 104. In one embodiment, pyrolysis reactor 104 may be internally heated. In another embodiment, pyrolysis reactor 104 may be externally heated. In another embodiment, pyrolysis reactor 104 may be heated via microwaves.

[0020] The pyrolysis vapor created in pyrolysis reactor 104 may be directed into VPR
102. In one embodiment, VPR 102 may be configured to at least one of deoxygenate the pyrolysis vapor and break down higher molecular weight components of the pyrolysis vapor.

[0021] In one embodiment, VPR 102 may be an integral component of pyrolysis reactor 104, and catalysis takes place in pyrolysis reactor 104. In another embodiment, catalysis occurs in pyrolysis reactor 104 and VPR 102 may be eliminated.

[0022] The pyrolysis vapor may leave VPR 102 and enter a quench system 106, which may be operatively connected to VPR 102. Quench system 106 may quench the pyrolysis vapor, producing a bio-oil. In one embodiment, the bio-oil may be upgraded to produce a hydrocarbon fuel product. The quenching of the pyrolysis vapor in quench system 106 may produce at least one of a non-condensable gas and a low oxygen bio-oil.

[0023] In one embodiment, non-condensable gas may be directed from quench system 106 into a water gas shift reactor 108, which may be operatively connected to quench system 106. The non-condensable gas may be processed resulting in at least one of hydrogen and CO2. Hydrogen for the upgrading may be obtained via a water gas shift of the CO in the non-condensable gas exiting quench system 106.

[0024] In one embodiment, low oxygen bio-oil may be directed from quench system 106 into a hydrotreatment system 110, which may be operatively connected to quench system 106. In one embodiment, hydrogen from water gas shift reactor 108 may be directed into hydrotreatment system 110. In one embodiment, hydrogen may react with the low oxygen bio-oil to produce a hydrocarbon fuel product.

[0025] In one embodiment, biomass 105 may include a wood. Thus, in some embodiments, the bio-oil produced via pyrolysis may contain a mixture of water, organic acids, aldehydes, phenols, and sugar derivatives that require upgrading in order for the bio-oil to be more readily soluble and usable. In one embodiment, the upgrading may be achieved through reaction of the acids, phenols, and sugars with olefins to form esters and ethers. For example, in one embodiment, the bio-oil in the vapor phase may be passed through a catalyst bed after mixing with an injected amount of isoprene, isobutylene, or propylene. In one embodiment, the water may be converted to an alcohol form of the olefin. In one embodiment, the alcohols may be etherified. In one embodiment, the carboxylic acids may be esterified.

[0026] FIG. 2A
illustrates an example arrangement of a process 201 configured, for example, for catalytic fast pyrolysis of biomass. Process 201 may generate high yields of condensable organics that may be used as liquid fuels. Process 201 may include 250 drying a biomass. Process 201 may include 252 pyrolyzing the biomass to create a pyrolysis vapor.
Process 201 may include 254 removing at least one of a char and an ash from the pyrolysis vapor. Process 201 may include 256 upgrading the pyrolysis vapor by vapor phase catalysis to produce an upgraded pyrolysis vapor. Process 201 may include 258 extracting a bio-oil from the upgraded pyrolysis vapor by condensation.

[0027] FIG. 2B
illustrates an example arrangement of a process 200 configured, for example, for catalytic fast pyrolysis of biomass. Process 200 may be included within the scope of process 201. Process 200 may generate high yields of condensable organics that may be used as liquid fuels. In one embodiment, process 200 may include heating of a biomass to about 500 C for a short period of time, typically on the order of a second.
Process 200 may include subsequent condensation of organic vapors into a bio-oil mixed with water. Process 200 may include the upgrading of bio-oil vapors in a VPR
202.

[0028] Process 200 may include a system including VPR 202, a pyrolysis reactor 204, a condenser 206, a biomass dryer 212, and a char and ash removal system 214.
Thus, in one embodiment, process 200 may include: introducing a biomass into biomass dryer 212;
transferring dried biomass into pyrolysis reactor 204; and directing pyrolysis vapor from pyrolysis reactor 204 into char and ash removal system 214. Char and ash may be separated from the pyrolysis vapor in char and ash removal system 214. Char and ash may be discarded from the system.

[0029]
Pyrolysis vapor exiting char and ash removal system 214 may be directed into VPR 202. In one embodiment, pyrolysis vapor may be upgraded in VPR 202. In one embodiment, pyrolysis vapor may be contacted with a catalyst after pyrolysis and char/ash removal but before vapor condensing. Processing of the pyrolysis vapor between the char/ash removal but before vapor condensing may minimize contamination of the catalyst with ash and char generated during pyrolysis.

[0030] In one embodiment, temperatures in VPR 202 and pyrolysis reactor 204 may be substantially the same, or different. In another embodiment, residence time of reactants in VPR 202 and pyrolysis reactor 204 may be substantially the same. In another embodiment, residence time of reactants in VPR 202 and pyrolysis reactor 204 may be different.

[0031] In one embodiment, VPR 202 utilizes at least one of: a granulated catalyst, a powdered catalyst, and a catalyst mixture capable of bio-oil vapor or liquid/vapor upgrade.
In another embodiment, VPR 202 utilizes a fluid catalytic cracking or a similar granulated catalyst. In one embodiment, the catalyst may be a granulated catalyst with a typical granule size between about 50 [tm and about 100 [tm. The catalyst may have very few granules smaller than about 20 [tm. In one embodiment, the catalyst characteristics provide a desired combination of rapid external mass transfer in rapid gas-solid reactions combined with relatively easy gas-solid separation ability. In one embodiment, the catalyst may be a fluid catalytic cracking ("FCC") catalyst. In one embodiment, the catalyst may be at least one of:

fresh FCC, spent FCC, catalyst impregnated on top of fresh FCC, catalyst impregnated on top of spent FCC, and catalysts granulated by other means but with the same or similar particle size and flow characteristic as FCC. In another embodiment, the catalyst catalyzes at least one of the following reactions: deoxygenation, cracking, water-gas shift, and hydrocarbon formation.

[0032] Upgraded pyrolysis gas may be directed to condenser 206, where the upgraded pyrolysis gas may be separated into at least one of: non-condensable gases, upgraded bio-oil, and waste water. Upgraded pyrolysis gas may be separated via condensation.

[0033] FIG. 3 illustrates an example arrangement of a VPR 300 for upgrading bio-oil vapors. VPR 300 may include a gas-solid catalytic reactor 302, a feeding auger 304, a return auger 306, a hot blower 308, a first cyclone 310, a second cyclone 312, and a split connection 314. Split connection 314 may be operatively connected to a dip leg pipe 316, a fluidized bed reactor 318, a bypass connection 320, and a catalyst feeding vessel 322.
Fluidized bed reactor 318 may include a third cyclone 324 operatively connected to a first blower 326 and a second blower 328.

[0034] In one embodiment, VPR 300 may be configured for continuous mode operation.
In another embodiment, VPR 300 may be configured for batch mode operation. In one embodiment, VPR 300 may be configured to operate utilizing air at atmospheric pressure for catalyst regeneration and does not require the use of gases with reduced oxygen content, including, for example, inert gases such as nitrogen, or another gas such as carbon dioxide.

[0035] In one embodiment, each of the components of VPR 300, with the exception of hot blower 308, first blower 326, and second blower 328, are configured to operate at relatively high temperatures. In one embodiment, the operation temperature may be between about 300 C and about 700 C. In another embodiment, the operation temperature may be between about 350 C and about 650 C. In another embodiment, the operation temperature may be between about 400 C and about 600 C. In another embodiment, the operation temperature may be a temperature as high as may be required to drive a catalytic upgrade reaction and a catalyst regeneration (coke oxidation) reaction. In another embodiment, the operation temperature may be a temperature as high as may be required to avoid condensation of pyrolysis gases that can occur on surfaces of components, such as those below about 400 C. In one embodiment, operating temperature may be generated and/or maintained by placing VPR 300 in a hot box heated by at least one of a gas burner and an electric heater.

[0036] In one embodiment, a catalytic upgrade reaction takes place in gas-solid catalytic reactor 302. A catalyst (for example, a granulated catalyst) may be introduced at the top of gas-solid catalytic reactor 302. In one embodiment, pre-upgrade pyrolysis gas may be introduced at the top of gas-solid catalytic reactor 302. In another embodiment, pre-upgrade pyrolysis gas may be introduced at one or more of the top, bottom, or side of gas-solid catalytic reactor 302.

[0037] In one embodiment, pre-upgrade pyrolysis gas and a catalyst are allowed to rapidly mix within gas-solid catalytic reactor 302 to facilitate sufficient contact with the catalyst surface. Gas-solid catalytic reactor 302 may include a volume while the pre-upgrade pyrolysis gas may include a flow rate, which volume and flow rate may be adjusted relative to one another to optimize the contact time between pre-upgrade pyrolysis gas and a catalyst.
In one embodiment, the pre-upgrade pyrolysis gas has a residence time within gas-solid catalytic reactor 302 of about 1 s. In one embodiment, mass transfer limitations and catalyst reactivity dictate preferable catalyst-to-pyrolysis gas ratios. In one embodiment, ratios may be about 1:1. In another embodiment, higher amounts of catalyst are required.
In one embodiment, VPR 300 may be configured to modulate the catalyst-to-pyrolysis gas ratio over more than an order of magnitude.

[0038] Gas-solid catalytic reactor 302 may include a reaction temperature between about 350 C and about 650 C. In another embodiment, gas-solid catalytic reactor 302 may include a reaction temperature between about 400 C and about 600 C. In another embodiment, gas-solid catalytic reactor 302 may include a reaction temperature between about 450 C and about 550 C.

[0039] In one embodiment, gas-solid catalytic reactor 302 may include a raining bed reactor ("RBR") haying a series of angled baffles configured to facilitate contact between pre-upgrade pyrolysis gas and a catalyst. In another embodiment, gas-solid catalytic reactor 302 may include any of a variety of reactor designs, including those used in static mixers, empty reactor tubes, and other reactors with features to facilitate catalyst distribution.

[0040]
Following contact with the catalyst in gas-solid catalytic reactor 302, upgraded pyrolysis gas exits gas-solid catalytic reactor 302 on at least one of: the bottom, the top, and the side of gas-solid catalytic reactor 302. Upgraded pyrolysis gas exiting gas-solid catalytic reactor 302 may include catalyst particles picked up in gas-solid catalytic reactor 302.
Upgraded pyrolysis gas may be at least substantially separated from the catalyst particles.

[0041] In one embodiment, at least one of first cyclone 310 and second cyclone 312 are configured to receive upgraded pyrolysis gas. In another embodiment, first cyclone 310 and second cyclone 312 operate in series to receive upgraded pyrolysis gas. In another embodiment, additional cyclones may be used in the system. In another embodiment, at least one of first cyclone 310 and second cyclone 312 may be replaced with any of a variety of alternative solid-gas separation devices, such as baghouses.

[0042] In one embodiment, upgraded pyrolysis gas may be introduced into first cyclone 310. First cyclone 310 may process the upgraded pyrolysis gas to separate catalyst particles from the upgraded pyrolysis gas, which particles may be at least one of returned to gas-solid catalytic reactor 302 or removed from VPR 300. In one embodiment, upgraded pyrolysis gas may be directed from first cyclone 310 to second cyclone 312 where second cyclone 312 processes the upgraded pyrolysis gas to separate remaining catalyst particles from the upgraded pyrolysis gas, which particles may be at least one of returned to gas-solid catalytic reactor or removed from VPR 300. In one embodiment, catalyst particles separated in second cyclone 312 may be purged from VPR 300.

[0043] In one embodiment, at least one of first cyclone 310 and second cyclone 312 causes a pressure drop within VPR 300. Such pressure drop may be undesirable.
In one embodiment, pressure within VPR 300 may be maintained using hot blower 308.
Hot blower 308 may force gas into VPR 300 to cause a pressure increase that substantially balances the pressure drop experienced at first cyclone 310 and second cyclone 312.

[0044] The catalytic upgrade reaction may generate a considerable amount of coke. The coke may deposit on the catalyst, which may block the active sites and pores of the catalyst, thus rendering it less effective. As such, in one embodiment the coke should be removed from the catalyst. In one embodiment, the coke may be removed by continuous oxidation in air at a temperature between about 400 C and about 700 C. In another embodiment, the coke may be removed by continuation oxidation in air at a temperature between about 450 C
and about 650 C. In another embodiment, the coke may be removed by continuous oxidation in air at a temperature between about 500 C and about 600 C. In one embodiment, oxidation of the coke occurs inside fluidized bed reactor 318.

[0045] In one embodiment, fluidized bed reactor 318 may be operatively connected to at least one of a first blower 326 and a second blower 328. At least one of first blower 326 and second blower 328 causes an air flow within fluidized bed reactor 318. In another embodiment, at least one of first blower 326 and second blower 328 may be configured to direct air from fluidized bed reactor 318 into a distributor (not shown). Air flow and the volume of fluidized bed reactor 318 may be selected to optimize several design requirements, including at least one of: (1) air flow capable of generating appropriate fluidization conditions for the catalyst used, (2) air flow sufficient to deliver enough oxygen for coke oxidation, and (3) air flow, temperature, and fluidized bed reactor 318 volume must facilitate coke oxidation kinetics.

[0046] In one embodiment, the coke burning reaction may be highly exothermic and heat generated therein may be dissipated through any of various means, including heat transfer from fluidized bed reactor 318 to the gas atmosphere surrounding fluidized bed reactor 318.
In another embodiment, heat dissipation may be enhanced by using room temperature air for fluidization. In another embodiment, heat dissipation may be enhanced by using another cooling medium directed into fluidized bed reactor 318.

[0047]
Oxidation of coke may produce byproducts including carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and water. Significant quantities of carbon monoxide generated in oxidation of coke may be exhausted through at least one of third cyclone 324 and first blower 326.

[0048] Catalyst particles from fluidized bed reactor 318 may be entrained by the fluidizing air and/or exhaust gases. The catalyst particles may be removed from the fluidizing air to minimize catalyst losses. Third cyclone 324 may be used to process the fluidizing air to at least substantially separate catalyst from the fluidizing air, which catalyst may be at least one of returned to fluidized bed reactor 318 or discarded from VPR 300.

Third cyclone 324 may be contained within fluidized bed reactor 318. In one embodiment, additional cyclones may be utilized in series with third cyclone 324. In another embodiment, the additional cyclones and/or third cyclone 324 may be located inside or outside fluidized bed reactor 318 or a hot box surrounding VPR 300.

[0049] In one embodiment, at least one of first blower 326 and second blower 328 are needed to maintain a desired pressure balance between gas-solid catalytic reactor 302 and fluidized bed reactor 318. In another embodiment, at least one of first blower 326 and second blower 328 permit independent control of air flow in fluidized bed reactor 318 and internal pressure of fluidized bed reactor 318.

[0050] In one embodiment, feeding of the catalyst into gas-solid catalytic reactor 302 and fluidized bed reactor 318, and recirculation of catalyst between gas-solid catalytic reactor 302 and fluidized bed reactor 318 may be effected by feeding auger 304 and return auger 306.
Feeding auger 304 and return auger 306 may be powered by at least one power source, for example an electric motor. The electric motor may be placed outside VPR 300 but coupled mechanically with feeding auger 304 and return auger 306. Feeding auger 304 and return auger 306 may include auger screws configured to rotate and advance catalyst material. Flow rate of the catalyst can be controlled by adjusting the rotation speed of feeding auger 304 and return auger 306. Such adjustment of the rotation speed of feeding auger 304 and return auger 306 may be utilized to adjust the catalyst to biomass ratio and effectively control the catalytic reaction rate. Feeding auger 304 may direct catalyst from catalyst feeding vessel 322 to gas-solid catalytic reactor 302. Return auger 306 may direct catalyst from gas-solid catalytic reactor 302 to split connection 314.

[0051] Split connection 314 may be configured to preferably direct the catalyst to fluidized bed reactor 318 for regeneration. Split connection 314 may direct catalyst material to dip leg pipe 316 immersed into the catalyst contained in fluidized bed reactor 318. As a result of the hydrostatic balance of the catalyst within fluidized bed reactor 318, and the proper pressure balance between gas-solid catalytic reactor 302 and fluidized bed reactor 318, dip leg pipe 316 remains at least partially filled with catalyst. The partially filled state of dip leg pipe 316 acts as a gas lock to limit the amount of gas that can pass to and from fluidized bed reactor 318. This gas lock at least substantially separates the pyrolysis gas atmosphere existing inside gas-solid catalytic reactor 302, feeding auger 304, and return auger 306, from the oxygen-rich atmosphere inside fluidized bed reactor 318.

[0052] Bypass connection 320 allows catalyst to bypass fluidized bed reactor 318 in the event that catalyst may be not accepted into fluidized bed reactor 318 via dip leg pipe 316. In one embodiment, catalyst may be required to bypass fluidized bed reactor 318 due to insufficient fluidization inside fluidized bed reactor 318, or a loss of air flow into fluidized bed reactor 318. Bypass connection 318 may allow for uninterrupted catalytic upgrade reaction and will prevent return auger 306 from becoming backed up with catalyst.

[0053] Catalyst processed in fluidized bed reactor 318 may be transferred to catalyst feeding vessel 322 via a transfer connection 330. Upon reaching a sufficient level in fluidized bed reactor 318, catalyst may flow from fluidized bed reactor 318 to catalyst feeding vessel 322 via transfer connection 330. Similar to dip leg pipe 316, transfer connection 330 acts as a gas lock to limit the amount of gas that can pass to and from fluidized bed reactor 318.

[0054] Catalyst transferred through bypass connection 320 into catalyst feeding vessel 322 without passing through fluidized bed reactor 318 may be not processed to remove coke.
However, a catalyst contaminated with coke may be utilized in gas-solid catalytic reactor 302 until it may be able to enter fluidized bed reactor 318 for processing.

[0055] FIG. 4 illustrates an example arrangement of a VPR 400. VPR 400 may include a housing 402 containing an auger device 404 configured to move a catalyst material and a biomass pyrolysis vapor in counter-current directions. VPR 400 may be configured to bring the pyrolysis vapor and the catalyst into close contact. Housing 402 and auger device 404 may include substantially circular cross-sections. In one embodiment, housing 402 may include an inner diameter that may be substantially the same as or slightly greater than the outside diameter of auger device 404.

[0056] In one embodiment, VPR 400 may be placed in a heated enclosure and coupled to a catalyst regeneration system, such as that illustrated in FIG. 3. VPR 400 may operate in a heated enclosure between about 300 C and about 600 C. In another embodiment, operates in a heated enclosure between about 350 C and about 550 C. In another embodiment, VPR 400 operates in a heated enclosure between about 400 C and about 500 C. In another embodiment, VPR 400 operates at an elevated temperature configured to prevent condensation of the pyrolysis vapor.

[0057] In one embodiment, VPR 400 may include an inclined housing 402 and auger device 404. A catalyst may enter VPR 400 via a catalyst inlet 406. The catalyst may be transported through VPR 400 within housing 402 via rotation of an auger device 404.
Catalyst may exit VPR 400 via a catalyst outlet 408.

[0058] In one embodiment, pyrolysis vapor enters VPR 400 at a pyrolysis vapor inlet 410. Pyrolysis vapor may move through housing 402 by virtue of a pressure differential, a blower, or a pump. Pyrolysis vapor may move through housing 402 in contact with the catalyst. In one embodiment, pyrolysis vapor moves spirally about auger device 404. In one embodiment, pyrolysis vapor exits VPR 400 via a pyrolysis vapor outlet 412. In one embodiment, pyrolysis vapor inlet 410 may be near the upper portion of housing 402 and pyrolysis vapor outlet 412 may be near the lower portion of housing 402. In another embodiment, pyrolysis vapor inlet 410 may be near the lower portion of housing 402 and pyrolysis vapor outlet 412 may be near the upper portion of housing 402. In one embodiment, pyrolysis vapor moves counter-current to the flow of the catalyst.
In another embodiment, pyrolysis vapor moves concurrent to the flow of the catalyst.

[0059] In one embodiment, pyrolysis vapor flows downward within housing 402 in a spiral around auger device 404. Limited clearance between the outside diameter of auger device 404 and the inside diameter of housing 402 limits the bypass of gas around the catalyst, forcing pyrolysis vapor to contact the catalyst.

[0060] The catalyst may enter and exit VPR 400 through a double block valve system (such as that illustrated in FIG. 3) so as to substantially prevent pyrolysis vapor from exiting VPR 400 with the catalyst.

[0061] FIG. 5 illustrates an example arrangement of a VPR 500. VPR 500 may include a substantially vertical or inclined housing 502, within which at least one baffle 504 may be oriented. A catalyst may enter VPR 500 via a catalyst inlet 506 and may exit VPR 500 via a catalyst outlet 508. A pyrolysis vapor may enter VPR 500 via a pyrolysis vapor inlet 510 and may exit VPR 500 via a pyrolysis vapor outlet 512.

[0062] In one embodiment, at least one baffle 504 may be angled downward so as to cause a catalyst to pour off at least one baffle 504 with pyrolysis vapor moving through the stream of catalyst material. In another embodiment, VPR 500 may include a plurality of baffles 504 in alternating positions and heights within VPR 500, such that a catalyst pouring over baffles 504 forms successive curtains as it falls from a higher baffle 504 to a lower baffle 504. Pyrolysis vapor passes through the curtains of catalysts, and thus contacts the catalyst, as it travels through housing 502.

[0063] In one embodiment, pyrolysis vapor inlet 510 may be oriented near the top of VPR 500 and pyrolysis vapor outlet 512 may be oriented near the bottom of VPR
500. In this embodiment, pyrolysis vapor flows concurrently with the catalyst. In another embodiment, pyrolysis vapor inlet 510 may be oriented near the bottom of VPR
500 and pyrolysis vapor outlet 512 may be oriented near the top of VPR 500. In this embodiment, pyrolysis vapor flows counter-currently with the catalyst.

[0064] In one embodiment, VPR 500 may be placed in a heated enclosure and coupled to a catalyst regeneration system, such as that illustrated in FIG. 3. VPR 500 may operate in a heated enclosure between about 300 C and about 600 C. In another embodiment, operates in a heated enclosure between about 350 C and about 550 C. In another embodiment, VPR 500 operates in a heated enclosure between about 400 C and about 500 C. In another embodiment, VPR 500 operates at an elevated temperature configured to prevent condensation of the pyrolysis vapor.

[0065] The catalyst may enter and exit VPR 500 through a double block valve system (such as that illustrated in FIG. 3) so as to substantially prevent pyrolysis vapor from exiting VPR 500 with the catalyst.

[0066] In one embodiment, biomass may be directly added to the top of VPR 400 or VPR
500 to generate pyrolysis vapor while at the same time catalytically upgrading the pyrolysis vapor in a one-step process. In this embodiment, a pyrolysis reactor may not be necessary.

[0067] In various embodiments, a biofuel production system 100 is provided. The biofuel production system may include a catalytic vapor phase reactor (VPR) 102. The biofuel production system may include a pyrolysis reactor 104 operatively connected to the catalytic VPR 102. The biofuel production system may include a quench system operatively connected to the catalytic VPR 102. The biofuel production system may include a water gas shift reactor 108 operatively connected to the quench system 106.
The biofuel production system may include a hydrotreatment system 110 operatively connected to the quench system 106.

[0068] In some embodiments, the pyrolysis reactor 104 may be configured to receive a biomass 105. The pyrolysis reactor 104 may be configured to pyrolyze the biomass 105 to produce a pyrolysis vapor. The biomass 105 may include a wood.

[0069] The pyrolysis reactor 104 may be configured to operate at a temperature capable of converting at least a portion of biomass 105 to a pyrolysis vapor. The pyrolysis reactor may be configured to operate at a temperature in C of about 250, 275, 300, 325, 350, 375, 400, 425, 450, 475, 500, 525, 550, 575, 600, 625, or 650, e.g., about 500 C, or between about any two of the preceding values, for example, between about 300 C and about 600 C, between about 350 C and about 550 C, between about 400 C and about 500 C, and the like. For example, the pyrolysis reactor 104 may be configured to operate at a temperature between about 300 C and about 600 C.

[0070] In several embodiments, the pyrolysis reactor 104 may be configured to pyrolyze a biomass 105 to produce a pyrolysis vapor and char. The system 100 further may include a char removal system (not shown) configured to remove the char from the pyrolysis reactor 104. The pyrolysis reactor 104 may be configured to pyrolyze a biomass 105 to produce a pyrolysis vapor. The pyrolysis vapor may include one or more of: water, an organic acid, an aldehyde, a phenol, and a sugar; or one or more derivatives thereof A heater (not shown) may be operatively coupled to the pyrolysis reactor 104. The heater may be configured to at least one of internally and externally heat pyrolysis reactor 104. The heater may include one or more of a resistive heating element, a combustor, a heat exchanger, or a microwave generator.

[0071] In various embodiments, the catalytic VPR 102 may be configured to receive a pyrolysis vapor. The catalytic VPR 102 may be configured to modify the pyrolysis vapor to produce a modified pyrolysis vapor. The catalytic VPR 102 may be configured to produce a modified pyrolysis vapor by deoxygenating a pyrolysis vapor produced by pyrolyzing a biomass. The catalytic VPR 102 may be configured to produce a modified pyrolysis vapor by cracking or breaking down one or more higher molecular weight components of a pyrolysis vapor produced by pyrolyzing a biomass. The catalytic VPR 102 may include a catalyst may include one or more of: a granulated catalyst, a powdered catalyst, and a fluid catalytic cracking catalyst (FCC). The catalyst may include one or more of:
fresh FCC, spent FCC, catalyst impregnated on top of the fresh FCC, or catalyst impregnated on top of the spent FCC. The catalytic VPR 102 may include the granulated catalyst. The granulated catalyst may be characterized by particle size and flow characteristics substantially similar to the FCC. The catalytic VPR 102 may include a granulated catalyst characterized by a granule size between about 50 nm and about 100 nm. The granulated catalyst may be characterized by a size distribution of granules. A substantial fraction of the size distribution may be greater than about 20 nm. The catalytic VPR 102 may include a catalyst configured to catalyze at least one of: deoxygenation, cracking, water-gas shift, and hydrocarbon formation.

[0072] In some embodiments, the pyrolysis reactor 104 and the catalytic VPR 102 may be configured together as a single unit. The quench system 106 may be configured to quench a pyrolysis vapor to form a liquid bio-oil. The quench system 106 may be configured to quench a modified pyrolysis vapor to form a modified bio-oil. The bio-oil may be a low oxygen bio-oil. The quench system 106 may be configured to direct a non-condensable gas into the water gas shift reactor 108. The water gas shift reactor 108 may be configured to process a non-condensable gas including CO to form at least one of hydrogen and CO2. The hydrotreatment system 110 may be configured to accept hydrogen from the water gas shift reactor 108. The hydrotreatment system 110 may be configured to hydrotreat a bio-oil, e.g., a low oxygen bio-oil, with hydrogen to produce a hydrocarbon fuel product.

[0073] The biofuel production system 100 may include a conversion system (not shown).
The conversion system may be operatively coupled to the catalytic vapor phase reactor 102.
The conversion system may be operatively coupled to pyrolysis reactor 104. The conversion system may be operatively coupled to the hydrotreatment system 110. The conversion system may be configured to produce a hydrocarbon product from biomass 105 by upgrading a bio-oil. The bio-oil may be produced by one or more of: the catalytic vapor phase reactor 102, the pyrolysis reactor 104, or the hydrotreatment system 110. The bio-oil may be a liquid or vapor bio-oil. The bio-oil may be modified or upgraded, e.g., by hydrotreating. The conversion system may be configured to produce at least one of: a hydrocarbon fuel product, a gas, or a chemical.

[0074] In various embodiments, a method 201 for catalytic pyrolysis of biomass is provided. The method may include 250 drying a biomass. The method may include pyrolyzing the biomass to create a pyrolysis vapor. The method may include 254 removing at least one of a char and an ash from the pyrolysis vapor. The method may include 256 upgrading the pyrolysis vapor by vapor phase catalysis to produce an upgraded pyrolysis vapor. The method may include 258 condensing a bio-oil from the upgraded pyrolysis vapor.

[0075] In various embodiments, pyrolyzing the biomass may be conducted at a temperature in C of about 250, 275, 300, 325, 350, 375, 400, 425, 450, 475, 500, 525, 550, 575, 600, 625, 650, 675, or 700, for example, about 500 C, or between about any two of the preceding values, for example, between about 300 C and about 700 C, between about 300 C and about 600 C, between about 350 C and about 550 C, between about 400 C and about 500 C, and the like. Upgrading the pyrolysis vapor may be conducted at any of the temperatures or temperature ranges described herein for pyrolyzing the biomass. Pyrolyzing the biomass and upgrading the pyrolysis vapor may be conducted at about the same temperature, for example, at about substantially the same temperature.
Pyrolyzing the biomass and upgrading the pyrolysis vapor may be conducted at different temperatures, for example, at substantially different temperatures.

[0076] In some embodiments, pyrolyzing the biomass may be conducted at a biomass residence time of about 2 seconds or less. Pyrolyzing the biomass may be conducted at a biomass residence time of less than about 1 second, for example, about 0.9, 0.8, 0.7, 0.6, 0.5, 0.4, 0.3, 0.2, or 0.1 seconds, or less. Pyrolyzing the biomass and upgrading the pyrolysis vapor may be characterized by about the same residence time, for example, about substantially the same residence time. Pyrolyzing the biomass and upgrading the pyrolysis vapor may be characterized by different residence times, for example, substantially different residence times.

[0077] In various embodiments, upgrading the pyrolysis vapor by vapor phase catalysis to produce the upgraded pyrolysis vapor may be conducted after pyrolyzing the biomass to create the pyrolysis vapor and removing at least one of the char and the ash from the pyrolysis vapor, and before condensing the bio-oil from the upgraded pyrolysis vapor. The pyrolysis vapor may include one or more of: water, an organic acid, an aldehyde, a phenol, and a sugar; or one or more derivatives thereof

[0078] In some embodiments, pyrolyzing the biomass to create the pyrolysis vapor may include at least one of internally or externally heating a pyrolysis reactor.
Pyrolyzing the biomass to create the pyrolysis vapor may include heating by resistive heating, combustion heating, heat exchanging, or microwave irradiation. Upgrading the pyrolysis vapor by vapor phase catalysis may include deoxygenating the pyrolysis vapor to produce the upgraded pyrolysis vapor. Upgrading the pyrolysis vapor by vapor phase catalysis may include cracking one or more higher molecular weight components of the pyrolysis vapor to produce the upgraded pyrolysis vapor. Upgrading the pyrolysis vapor by vapor phase catalysis may include contacting the pyrolysis vapor to one or more of: a granulated catalyst, a powdered catalyst, and a fluid catalytic cracking catalyst (FCC). Upgrading the pyrolysis vapor by vapor phase catalysis may include contacting the pyrolysis vapor to one or more of: fresh FCC, spent FCC, catalyst impregnated on top of the fresh FCC, or catalyst impregnated on top of the spent FCC. Upgrading the pyrolysis vapor by vapor phase catalysis may include contacting the pyrolysis vapor to the granulated catalyst, the granulated catalyst characterized by particle size and flow characteristics substantially similar to the FCC.
Upgrading the pyrolysis vapor by vapor phase catalysis may include contacting the pyrolysis vapor to a granulated catalyst characterized by a granule size between about 50 ilm and about 100 [tm.
Upgrading the pyrolysis vapor by vapor phase catalysis may include contacting the pyrolysis vapor to a granulated catalyst characterized by a size distribution of granules. A substantial fraction of the size distribution may be greater than about 20 [tm.

[0079] In several embodiments, pyrolyzing the biomass and upgrading the pyrolysis vapor may be conducted in a single pyrolysis-catalytic vapor phase reactor unit. The bio-oil may be a low oxygen bio-oil. Pyrolyzing the biomass may include producing a non-condensable including CO. The method may include reacting a non-condensable including CO in a water gas shift reaction to form at least one of hydrogen and CO2. The method may include hydrotreating the bio oil with hydrogen from the water gas shift reaction to produce a hydrocarbon fuel product. The method may include hydrotreating the bio oil with hydrogen to produce a hydrocarbon fuel product.

[0080] In some embodiments, the method may include drying the biomass in a biomass dryer 212. The method may include placing the biomass in a pyrolysis reactor 204 and pyrolyzing the biomass at about 500 C to create a pyrolysis vapor. The method may include directing the pyrolysis vapor to a char and ash removal system 214 and removing at least one of a char and an ash from the pyrolysis vapor. The method may include directing the pyrolysis vapor to a catalytic vapor phase reactor 202 and upgrading the pyrolysis vapor to form an upgraded pyrolysis vapor. The method may include directing the upgraded pyrolysis vapor to a condenser 206. The method may include extracting a bio-oil from the condenser 206.

[0081] In various embodiments, a catalytic vapor phase reactor apparatus 300 is provided. The apparatus may include: a gas-solid catalytic reactor 302; a feeding auger 304; a return auger 306; a hot blower 308; a first blower 326; a second blower 328; a first cyclone 310; a second cyclone 312; a third cyclone 324; a split connection 314; a dip leg pipe 316 operatively coupled to the split connection; a fluidized bed reactor 318; a bypass connection 320; and a catalyst feeding vessel 322. The feeding auger 304 and the return auger 306 may be operatively connected to the gas-solid catalytic reactor 302 and the fluidized bed reactor 318. The first cyclone 310 and the second cyclone 312 may be operatively connected to the gas-solid catalytic reactor 302. The third cyclone 324 may be operatively connected to the fluidized bed reactor 318, the first blower 326, and the second blower 328.

[0082] In some embodiments, the catalytic vapor phase reactor apparatus may be configured for continuous mode operation. The apparatus may be configured for batch mode operation. The apparatus may be configured to operate using air at atmospheric pressure for catalyst regeneration. The apparatus may be configured for catalyst regeneration without using gases with reduced oxygen content compared to air.

[0083] In various embodiments, catalytic vapor phase reactor apparatus 300 may be configured to operate, at least in part, at a temperature in C of about 250, 275, 300, 325, 350, 375, 400, 425, 450, 475, 500, 525, 550, 575, 600, 625, 650, 675, or 700, for example, about 500 C, or between about any two of the preceding values, for example, between about 300 C and about 700 C, between about 300 C and about 600 C, between about 350 C and about 550 C, between about 400 C and about 500 C, and the like. In some embodiments, the components of catalytic vapor phase reactor apparatus 300 may be configured to operate at any of the preceding temperatures or temperature ranges, with the exception of hot blower 308, first blower 326, and second blower 328. The catalytic vapor phase reactor apparatus may be configured at least in part to operate at a temperature effective to drive one or more of: a catalytic upgrade reaction, a catalyst regeneration reaction, or a coke oxidation reaction.
The catalytic vapor phase reactor apparatus may be configured at least in part to operate at a temperature effective to mitigate condensation of condensable pyrolysis gases.

[0084] In some embodiments, the catalytic vapor phase reactor apparatus may include a heater operatively coupled to gas-solid catalytic reactor 302. The heater may include one or more of a resistive heating element, a combustor, a heat exchanger, or a microwave generator.

[0085] In several embodiments, the gas-solid catalytic reactor 302 may be configured to conduct a catalytic upgrade reaction. The gas-solid catalytic reactor 302 may be configured to accept introduction of a granulated catalyst. The gas-solid catalytic reactor 302 may be configured to accept introduction of a pre-upgrade pyrolysis gas. The gas-solid catalytic reactor 302 may be configured to mix the pre-upgrade pyrolysis gas and a catalyst effective to contact the catalyst surface with the pre-upgrade pyrolysis gas. The gas-solid catalytic reactor 302 may be configured to conduct the pre-upgrade pyrolysis gas with a residence time of about 1 second. The gas-solid catalytic reactor 302 may include a raining bed reactor configured to contact the pre-upgrade pyrolysis gas and the catalyst. The gas-solid catalytic reactor 302 may be configured to remove coke from the catalyst by continuous oxidation in air.

[0086] In various embodiments, at least one of the first cyclone 310 and the second cyclone 312 may be configured to receive upgraded pyrolysis gas. The first cyclone 310 and the second cyclone 312 may be configured to operate in series to receive upgraded pyrolysis gas. The first cyclone 310 may be configured to separate an upgraded pyrolysis gas from at least a first portion of a plurality of catalyst particles. The first cyclone 310 may be configured to direct the first portion of the plurality of catalyst particles separated from the upgraded pyrolysis gas to one of: the gas-solid catalytic reactor 302; or an exit of the catalytic vapor phase reactor apparatus. The first cyclone 310 may be configured to direct upgraded pyrolysis gas to the second cyclone 312. The second cyclone 312 may be configured to separate the upgraded pyrolysis gas from at least a second portion of the plurality of catalyst particles. The second cyclone 312 may be configured to direct the second portion of the plurality of catalyst particles separated from the upgraded pyrolysis gas to one of: the gas-solid catalytic reactor 302; or an exit of the catalytic vapor phase reactor apparatus.

[0087] In some embodiments, bed reactor 318 may be operatively connected to at least one of the first blower 326 and the second blower 328. Feeding auger 304 and return auger 306 may be operatively connected for feeding of a catalyst into the gas-solid catalytic reactor 302 and the fluidized bed reactor 318. Feeding auger 304 and return auger 306 may be operatively connected for recirculation of catalyst between gas-solid catalytic reactor 302 and fluidized bed reactor 318.

[0088] In several embodiments, split connection 314 may be configured to direct a catalyst to the fluidized bed reactor 318 for regeneration. Bypass connection 320 may be configured to cause catalyst to bypass fluidized bed reactor 318. Transfer connection 330 may be configured to direct a catalyst processed in fluidized bed reactor 318 to catalyst feeding vessel 322.

[0089] In various embodiments, a catalytic vapor phase reactor apparatus 400 is provided. The apparatus may include a housing 402. The housing 402 may include an auger device 404, a catalyst inlet 406, a catalyst outlet 408, a pyrolysis vapor inlet 410, and a pyrolysis vapor outlet 412. The auger device 404 may be configured to transport a solid catalyst through at least a portion of the housing 402. The housing 402 may be configured to permit a pyrolysis vapor to flow through at least a portion of the housing 402 and come into contact with the solid catalyst.

[0090] In some embodiments, the auger device 404 may be configured to direct the catalyst material and the biomass pyrolysis vapor in counter-current directions. The auger device 404 may be configured to direct the catalyst material and the biomass pyrolysis vapor in concurrent directions. The apparatus may be configured to bring the pyrolysis vapor and the catalyst into contact. The apparatus may be configured within a heated enclosure. The heated enclosure configured to heat to a temperature between about 300 C and about 700 C, for example, about any temperature or temperature range described herein. The apparatus may be operatively coupled to a catalyst regeneration system, for example as depicted in FIG. 3 in apparatus 300.

[0091] In various embodiments, a catalytic vapor phase reactor apparatus 500 is provided. The apparatus may include a housing 502. The housing 502 may include at least one baffle 504, a catalyst inlet 506, a catalyst outlet 508, a pyrolysis vapor inlet 510, and a pyrolysis vapor outlet 512. The housing 502 may be at least one of substantially vertical and inclined, for example, with reference to a local direction of gravity. The housing 502 may be configured to permit a solid catalyst to flow through at least a portion of the housing 502 and over at least one baffle 504. The housing 502 may be configured to permit a pyrolysis vapor to flow through at least a portion of the housing 502 and come into contact with the solid catalyst. The at least one baffle 504 may be angled effective to cause a catalyst to pour off the at least one baffle 504 with the pyrolysis vapor moving through the stream of the solid catalyst. The apparatus further may include a plurality of baffles 504 configured effective to cause a catalyst pouring over the plurality of baffles 504 to form successive curtains of the catalyst while falling between each of the plurality of baffles 504. The pyrolysis vapor inlet 510 and the pyrolysis vapor outlet 512 may be configured to direct a pyrolysis vapor to flow concurrently with the solid catalyst. The pyrolysis vapor inlet 510 and the pyrolysis vapor outlet 512 may be configured to direct a pyrolysis vapor to flow counter-currently with the solid catalyst. The apparatus may be configured within a heated enclosure. The heated enclosure may be configured to heat to a temperature between about 300 C and about 700 C, for example, about any temperature or temperature range described herein.
The apparatus may be operatively coupled to a catalyst regeneration system, e.g., as described in FIG. 3 and apparatus 300.

[0092] To the extent that the term "includes" or "including" is used in the specification or the claims, it is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term "comprising" as that term is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.
Furthermore, to the extent that the term "or" is employed (e.g., A or B) it is intended to mean "A
or B or both."
When the applicants intend to indicate "only A or B but not both" then the term "only A or B
but not both" will be employed. Thus, use of the term "or" herein is the inclusive, and not the exclusive use. See Bryan A. Garner, A Dictionary of Modern Legal Usage 624 (2d. Ed.
1995). Also, to the extent that the terms "in" or "into" are used in the specification or the claims, it is intended to additionally mean "on" or "onto." To the extent that the term "selectively" is used in the specification or the claims, it is intended to refer to a condition of a component wherein a user of the apparatus may activate or deactivate the feature or function of the component as is necessary or desired in use of the apparatus.
To the extent that the term "operatively connected" is used in the specification or the claims, it is intended to mean that the identified components are connected in a way to perform a designated function. To the extent that the term "substantially" is used in the specification or the claims, it is intended to mean that the identified components have the relation or qualities indicated with degree of error as would be acceptable in the subject industry. As used in the specification and the claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include the plural.
Finally, where the term "about" is used in conjunction with a number, it is intended to include 10% of the number. In other words, "about 10" may mean from 9 to 11.

[0093] As stated above, while the present application has been illustrated by the description of embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicants to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art, having the benefit of the present application.
Therefore, the application, in its broader aspects, is not limited to the specific details, illustrative examples shown, or any apparatus referred to. Departures may be made from such details, examples, and apparatuses without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept.

Claims (103)

1. A biofuel production system 100, the system comprising:
a catalytic vapor phase reactor (VPR) 102;
a pyrolysis reactor 104 operatively connected to the catalytic VPR 102;
a quench system 106 operatively connected to the catalytic VPR 102;
a water gas shift reactor 108 operatively connected to the quench system 106;
and a hydrotreatment system 110 operatively connected to the quench system 106.

2. The biofuel production system of claim 1, the pyrolysis reactor 104 being configured to:
receive a biomass 105; and pyrolyze the biomass 105 to produce a pyrolysis vapor.

3. The biofuel production system of claim 2, the biomass 105 comprising a wood.

4. The biofuel production system of claim 1, the pyrolysis reactor 104 being configured to operate at a temperature capable of converting at least a portion of biomass 105 to a pyrolysis vapor.

5. The biofuel production system of claim 1, the pyrolysis reactor 104 being configured to operate at a temperature between about 300 °C and about 600 °C.

6. The biofuel production system of claim 1, the pyrolysis reactor 104 being configured to operate at a temperature between about 350 °C and about 550 °C.

7. The biofuel production system of claim 1, the pyrolysis reactor 104 being configured to operate at a temperature between about 400 °C and about 500 °C.

8. The biofuel production system of claim 1, the pyrolysis reactor 104 being configured to pyrolyze a biomass 105 to produce a pyrolysis vapor and char, the system 100 further comprising a char removal system configured to remove the char from the pyrolysis reactor 104.

9. The biofuel production system of claim 1, the pyrolysis reactor 104 being configured to pyrolyze a biomass 105 to produce a pyrolysis vapor, the pyrolysis vapor comprising one or more of: water, an organic acid, an aldehyde, a phenol, and a sugar; or one or more derivatives thereof

10. The biofuel production system of claim 1, further comprising a heater operatively coupled to the pyrolysis reactor 104, the heater being configured to at least one of internally and externally heat pyrolysis reactor 104.

11. The biofuel production system of claim 10, the heater comprising one or more of a resistive heating element, a combustor, a heat exchanger, or a microwave generator.

12. The biofuel production system of claim 1, the catalytic VPR 102 being configured to:
receive a pyrolysis vapor; and modify the pyrolysis vapor to produce a modified pyrolysis vapor.

13. The biofuel production system of claim 1, the catalytic VPR 102 being configured to produce a modified pyrolysis vapor by deoxygenating a pyrolysis vapor produced by pyrolyzing a biomass.

14. The biofuel production system of claim 1, the catalytic VPR 102 being configured to produce a modified pyrolysis vapor by breaking down one or more higher molecular weight components of a pyrolysis vapor produced by pyrolyzing a biomass.

15. The biofuel production system of claim 1, the catalytic VPR 102 comprising a catalyst comprising one or more of: a granulated catalyst, a powdered catalyst, and a fluid catalytic cracking catalyst (FCC).

16. The biofuel production system of claim 15, the catalytic VPR 102 comprising a catalyst comprising one or more of: fresh FCC, spent FCC, catalyst impregnated on top of the fresh FCC, or catalyst impregnated on top of the spent FCC.

17. The biofuel production system of claim 15, the catalytic VPR 102 comprising the granulated catalyst, the granulated catalyst characterized by particle size and flow characteristics substantially similar to the FCC.

18. The biofuel production system of claim 1, the catalytic VPR 102 comprising a granulated catalyst characterized by a granule size between about 50 µm and about 100 µm.

19. The biofuel production system of claim 1, the catalytic VPR 102 comprising a granulated catalyst characterized by a size distribution of granules, a substantial fraction of the size distribution being greater than about 20 µm.

20. The biofuel production system of claim 1, the catalytic VPR 102 comprising a catalyst configured to catalyze at least one of: deoxygenation, cracking, water-gas shift, and hydrocarbon formation.

21. The biofuel production system of claim 1, the pyrolysis reactor 104 and the catalytic VPR 102 being configured together as a single unit.

22. The biofuel production system of claim 1, the quench system 106 being configured to quench a pyrolysis vapor to form a liquid bio-oil or quench a modified pyrolysis vapor to form a modified bio-oil.

23. The biofuel production system of claim 22, the bio-oil being a low oxygen bio-oil.

24. The biofuel production system of claim 1, the quench system 106 being configured to direct a non-condensable gas into the water gas shift reactor 108.

25. The biofuel production system of claim 1, the water gas shift reactor 108 being configured to process a non-condensable gas comprising CO to form at least one of hydrogen and CO2.

26. The biofuel production system of claim 1, the hydrotreatment system 110 being configured to accept hydrogen from the water gas shift reactor 108.

27. The biofuel production system of claim 1, the hydrotreatment system 110 being configured to hydrotreat a low oxygen bio-oil with hydrogen to produce a hydrocarbon fuel product.

28. The biofuel production system of claim 1, further comprising a conversion system operatively coupled to one or more of: the catalytic vapor phase reactor 102, the pyrolysis reactor 104, or the hydrotreatment system 110, the conversion system being configured to produce a hydrocarbon product from biomass 105 by upgrading a bio-oil produced by one or more of: the catalytic vapor phase reactor 102, the pyrolysis reactor 104, or the hydrotreatment system 110.

29. The biofuel production system of claim 28, the conversion system being configured to produce at least one of: a hydrocarbon fuel product, a gas, or a chemical.

30. A method 201 for catalytic pyrolysis of biomass, the method comprising:

250 drying a biomass;
252 pyrolyzing the biomass to create a pyrolysis vapor;

254 removing at least one of a char and an ash from the pyrolysis vapor;
256 upgrading the pyrolysis vapor by vapor phase catalysis to produce an upgraded pyrolysis vapor; and 258 condensing a bio-oil from the upgraded pyrolysis vapor.

31. The method of claim 30, pyrolyzing the biomass being conducted at a temperature between about 300 °C and about 600 °C.

32. The method of claim 30, pyrolyzing the biomass being conducted at a temperature between about 350 °C and about 550 °C.

33. The method of claim 30, pyrolyzing the biomass being conducted at a temperature between about 400 °C and about 500 °C.

34. The method of claim 30, pyrolyzing the biomass being conducted at a temperature of about 500 °C.

35. The method of claim 30, pyrolyzing the biomass and upgrading the pyrolysis vapor being conducted at about the same temperature.

36. The method of claim 30, pyrolyzing the biomass and upgrading the pyrolysis vapor being conducted at different temperatures.

37. The method of claim 30, pyrolyzing the biomass being conducted at a biomass residence time of about 2 seconds or less.

38. The method of claim 30, pyrolyzing the biomass being conducted at a biomass residence time of less than about 1 second.

39. The method of claim 30, pyrolyzing the biomass and upgrading the pyrolysis vapor being characterized by about the same residence time.

40. The method of claim 30, pyrolyzing the biomass and upgrading the pyrolysis vapor being characterized by different residence times.

41. The method of claim 30, upgrading the pyrolysis vapor by vapor phase catalysis to produce the upgraded pyrolysis vapor being conducted after pyrolyzing the biomass to create the pyrolysis vapor and removing at least one of the char and the ash from the pyrolysis vapor, and before condensing the bio-oil from the upgraded pyrolysis vapor.

42. The method of claim 30, the biomass comprising a wood.

43. The method of claim 30, the pyrolysis vapor comprising one or more of:
water, an organic acid, an aldehyde, a phenol, and a sugar; or one or more derivatives thereof

44. The method of claim 30, pyrolyzing the biomass to create the pyrolysis vapor comprising at least one of internally or externally heating a pyrolysis reactor.

45. The method of claim 30, pyrolyzing the biomass to create the pyrolysis vapor comprising heating by resistive heating, combustion heating, heat exchanging, or microwave irradiation.

46. The method of claim 30, upgrading the pyrolysis vapor by vapor phase catalysis comprising deoxygenating the pyrolysis vapor to produce the upgraded pyrolysis vapor.

47. The method of claim 30, upgrading the pyrolysis vapor by vapor phase catalysis comprising cracking one or more higher molecular weight components of the pyrolysis vapor to produce the upgraded pyrolysis vapor.

48. The method of claim 30, upgrading the pyrolysis vapor by vapor phase catalysis comprising contacting the pyrolysis vapor to one or more of: a granulated catalyst, a powdered catalyst, and a fluid catalytic cracking catalyst (FCC).

49. The method of claim 48, upgrading the pyrolysis vapor by vapor phase catalysis comprising contacting the pyrolysis vapor to one or more of: fresh FCC, spent FCC, catalyst impregnated on top of the fresh FCC, or catalyst impregnated on top of the spent FCC.

50. The method of claim 48, upgrading the pyrolysis vapor by vapor phase catalysis comprising contacting the pyrolysis vapor to the granulated catalyst, the granulated catalyst characterized by particle size and flow characteristics substantially similar to the FCC.

51. The method of claim 30, upgrading the pyrolysis vapor by vapor phase catalysis comprising contacting the pyrolysis vapor to a granulated catalyst characterized by a granule size between about 50 µm and about 100 µm.

52. The method of claim 30, upgrading the pyrolysis vapor by vapor phase catalysis comprising contacting the pyrolysis vapor to a granulated catalyst characterized by a size distribution of granules, a substantial fraction of the size distribution being greater than about 20 µm.

53. The method of claim 30, pyrolyzing the biomass and upgrading the pyrolysis vapor being conducted in a single pyrolysis-catalytic vapor phase reactor unit.

54. The method of claim 30, the bio-oil being a low oxygen bio-oil.

55. The method of claim 30, pyrolyzing the biomass comprising producing a non-condensable gas comprising CO.

56. The method of claim 30, further comprising reacting a non-condensable gas comprising CO in a water gas shift reaction form at least one of hydrogen and CO2.

57. The method of claim 56, further comprising hydrotreating the bio oil with hydrogen from the water gas shift reaction to produce a hydrocarbon fuel product.

58. The method of claim 30, further comprising hydrotreating the bio oil with hydrogen to produce a hydrocarbon fuel product.

59. The method of claim 30, comprising:
drying the biomass in a biomass dryer 212;
placing the biomass in a pyrolysis reactor 204 and pyrolyzing the biomass at about 500 °C to create a pyrolysis vapor;
directing the pyrolysis vapor to a char and ash removal system 214 and removing at least one of a char and an ash from the pyrolysis vapor;
directing the pyrolysis vapor to a catalytic vapor phase reactor 202 and upgrading the pyrolysis vapor to form an upgraded pyrolysis vapor;
directing the upgraded pyrolysis vapor to a condenser 206; and extracting a bio-oil from the condenser 206.

60. A catalytic vapor phase reactor apparatus 300, the apparatus comprising:
a gas-solid catalytic reactor 302;
a feeding auger 304;
a return auger 306;
a hot blower 308;
a first blower 326;
a second blower 328;
a first cyclone 310;

a second cyclone 312;
a third cyclone 324;
a split connection 314;
a dip leg pipe 316 operatively coupled to the split connection;
a fluidized bed reactor 318;
a bypass connection 320; and a catalyst feeding vessel 322;
the feeding auger 304 and the return auger 306 being operatively connected to the gas-solid catalytic reactor 302 and the fluidized bed reactor 318;
the first cyclone 310 and the second cyclone 312 being operatively connected to the gas-solid catalytic reactor 302; and the third cyclone 324 being operatively connected to the fluidized bed reactor 318, the first blower 326, and the second blower 328.

61. The catalytic vapor phase reactor apparatus of claim 60, configured for continuous mode operation.

62. The catalytic vapor phase reactor apparatus of claim 60, configured for batch mode operation.

63. The catalytic vapor phase reactor apparatus of claim 60, configured to operate using air at atmospheric pressure for catalyst regeneration.

64. The catalytic vapor phase reactor apparatus of claim 63, configured for catalyst regeneration without using gases with reduced oxygen content compared to air.

65. The catalytic vapor phase reactor apparatus of claim 60, being configured at least in part to operate at a temperature between about 300 °C and about 700 °C.

66. The catalytic vapor phase reactor apparatus of claim 60, being configured at least in part to operate at a temperature between about 350 °C and about 650 °C.

67. The catalytic vapor phase reactor apparatus of claim 60, being configured at least in part to operate at a temperature between about 400 °C and about 600 °C.

68. The catalytic vapor phase reactor apparatus of claim 60, being configured at least in part to operate at a temperature effective to drive one or more of: a catalytic upgrade reaction, a catalyst regeneration reaction, or a coke oxidation reaction.

69. The catalytic vapor phase reactor apparatus of claim 60, being configured at least in part to operate at a temperature effective to mitigate condensation of condensable pyrolysis gases.

70. The catalytic vapor phase reactor apparatus of claim 60, comprising a heater operatively coupled to gas-solid catalytic reactor 302, the heater comprising one or more of a resistive heating element, a combustor, a heat exchanger, or a microwave generator.

71. The catalytic vapor phase reactor apparatus of claim 60, the gas-solid catalytic reactor 302 being configured to conduct a catalytic upgrade reaction.

72. The catalytic vapor phase reactor apparatus of claim 71, the gas-solid catalytic reactor 302 being configured to accept introduction of a granulated catalyst.

73. The catalytic vapor phase reactor apparatus of claim 71, the gas-solid catalytic reactor 302 being configured to accept introduction of a pre-upgrade pyrolysis gas.

74. The catalytic vapor phase reactor apparatus of claim 71, the gas-solid catalytic reactor 302 being configured to mix the pre-upgrade pyrolysis gas and a catalyst effective to contact the catalyst surface with the pre-upgrade pyrolysis gas.

75. The catalytic vapor phase reactor apparatus of claim 71, the gas-solid catalytic reactor 302 being configured to conduct the pre-upgrade pyrolysis gas with a residence time of about 1 second.

76. The catalytic vapor phase reactor apparatus of claim 71, the gas-solid catalytic reactor 302 comprising a raining bed reactor configured to contact the pre-upgrade pyrolysis gas and the catalyst.

77. The catalytic vapor phase reactor apparatus of claim 71, the gas-solid catalytic reactor 302 being configured to remove coke from the catalyst by continuous oxidation in air.

78. The catalytic vapor phase reactor apparatus of claim 60, at least one of the first cyclone 310 and the second cyclone 312 being configured to receive upgraded pyrolysis gas.

79. The catalytic vapor phase reactor apparatus of claim 60, the first cyclone 310 and the second cyclone 312 being configured to operate in series to receive upgraded pyrolysis gas.

80. The catalytic vapor phase reactor apparatus of claim 60, the first cyclone 310 being configured to separate an upgraded pyrolysis gas from at least a first portion of a plurality of catalyst particles.

81. The catalytic vapor phase reactor apparatus of claim 60, the first cyclone 310 being configured to direct the first portion of the plurality of catalyst particles separated from the upgraded pyrolysis gas to one of: the gas-solid catalytic reactor 302; or an exit of the catalytic vapor phase reactor apparatus.

82. The catalytic vapor phase reactor apparatus of claim 81, the first cyclone 310 being configured to direct upgraded pyrolysis gas to the second cyclone 312, the second cyclone 312 being configured to separate the upgraded pyrolysis gas from at least a second portion of the plurality of catalyst particles.

83. The catalytic vapor phase reactor apparatus of claim 81, the second cyclone 312 being configured to direct the second portion of the plurality of catalyst particles separated from the upgraded pyrolysis gas to one of: the gas-solid catalytic reactor 302; or an exit of the catalytic vapor phase reactor apparatus.

84. The catalytic vapor phase reactor apparatus of claim 60, fluidized bed reactor 318 being operatively connected to at least one of the first blower 326 and the second blower 328.

85. The catalytic vapor phase reactor apparatus of claim 60, feeding auger 304 and return auger 306 being operatively connected for feeding of a catalyst into the gas-solid catalytic reactor 302 and the fluidized bed reactor 318, and recirculation of catalyst between gas-solid catalytic reactor 302 and fluidized bed reactor 318.

86. The catalytic vapor phase reactor apparatus of claim 60, the split connection 314 being configured to direct a catalyst to the fluidized bed reactor 318 for regeneration

87. The catalytic vapor phase reactor apparatus of claim 60, bypass connection 320 being configured to cause catalyst to bypass fluidized bed reactor 318.

88. The catalytic vapor phase reactor apparatus of claim 60, transfer connection 330 being configured to direct a catalyst processed in fluidized bed reactor 318 to catalyst feeding vessel 322.

89. A catalytic vapor phase reactor apparatus 400, the apparatus comprising:
a housing 402 comprising an auger device 404, a catalyst inlet 406, a catalyst outlet 408, a pyrolysis vapor inlet 410, and a pyrolysis vapor outlet 412;
the auger device 404 being configured to transport a solid catalyst through at least a portion of the housing 402; and the housing 402 being configured to permit a pyrolysis vapor to flow through at least a portion of the housing 402 and come into contact with the solid catalyst.

90. The catalytic vapor phase reactor apparatus of claim 89, the auger device 404 being configured to direct the catalyst material and the biomass pyrolysis vapor in counter-current directions.

91. The catalytic vapor phase reactor apparatus of claim 89, the auger device 404 being configured to direct the catalyst material and the biomass pyrolysis vapor in concurrent directions.

92. The catalytic vapor phase reactor apparatus of claim 89, configured to bring the pyrolysis vapor and the catalyst into contact.

93. The catalytic vapor phase reactor apparatus of claim 89, configured within a heated enclosure.

94. The catalytic vapor phase reactor apparatus of claim 89, configured within a heated enclosure, the heated enclosure configured to heat to a temperature between about 300 °C and about 700 °C.

95. The catalytic vapor phase reactor apparatus of claim 89, operatively coupled to a catalyst regeneration system 300.

96. A catalytic vapor phase reactor apparatus 500, the apparatus comprising:
a housing 502 comprising at least one baffle 504, a catalyst inlet 506, a catalyst outlet 508, a pyrolysis vapor inlet 510, and a pyrolysis vapor outlet 512;
the housing 502 being at least one of substantially vertical and inclined;
the housing 502 being configured to permit a solid catalyst to flow through at least a portion of the housing 502 and over at least one baffle 504;
the housing 502 being configured to permit a pyrolysis vapor to flow through at least a portion of the housing 502 and come into contact with the solid catalyst.

97. The catalytic vapor phase reactor apparatus of claim 96, the at least one baffle 504 being angled effective to cause a catalyst to pour off the at least one baffle 504 with the pyrolysis vapor moving through the stream of the solid catalyst.

98. The catalytic vapor phase reactor apparatus of claim 96, further comprising a plurality of baffles 504 configured effective to cause a catalyst pouring over the plurality of baffles 504 to form successive curtains of the catalyst while falling between each of the plurality of baffles 504.

99. The catalytic vapor phase reactor apparatus of claim 96, the pyrolysis vapor inlet 510 and the pyrolysis vapor outlet 512 being configured to direct a pyrolysis vapor to flow concurrently with the solid catalyst.

100. The catalytic vapor phase reactor apparatus of claim 96, the pyrolysis vapor inlet 510 and the pyrolysis vapor outlet 512 being configured to direct a pyrolysis vapor to flow counter-currently with the solid catalyst.

101. The catalytic vapor phase reactor apparatus of claim 96, configured within a heated enclosure.

102. The catalytic vapor phase reactor apparatus of claim 96, configured within a heated enclosure, the heated enclosure configured to heat to a temperature between about 300 °C and about 700 °C.

103. The catalytic vapor phase reactor apparatus of claim 96, operatively coupled to a catalyst regeneration system 300.