Pyrolysis of Biomass

Abstract

A method of treating biomass material, particularly plant-derived biomass material, to produce pyrolysis thereof, comprising subjecting the biomass material to radio frequency electromagnetic radiation, e.g. microwave radiation, while the material is being agitated, under suitable conditions to produce a desired degree of pyrolysis.

1 . A method of treating biomass material to produce pyrolysis thereof, comprising subjecting the biomass material to radio frequency electromagnetic radiation while the material is being agitated to produce pyrolysis. 
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the electromagnetic radiation comprises microwave frequency radiation. 
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the biomass is plant-derived biomass. 
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the biomass material comprises pieces having a volume that does not exceed about 30 cm 3 . 
     
     
         5 . A method according to  1 , wherein the biomass material is processed at a processing temperature of at least about 70° C. 
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 5 , wherein the biomass material is at a processing temperature of at least about 120° C. 
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the biomass material is at a processing temperature not exceeding about 175° C. 
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the biomass material is agitated in a rotating vessel. 
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the biomass material is agitated by passing gas through the material. 
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 9 , wherein the gaseous product of the pyrolysis reaction is recirculated through the biomass material. 
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the moisture content of the biomass material is at least about 10% (w/w). 
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein a restricted amount of air/oxygen is introduced (less than required for stoichiometric reaction with oxygen) during the pyrolysis reaction. 
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 1 , carried out on a continuous basis. 
     
     
         14 . A charred solid product and/or pyrolysis gas prepared by the method of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         15 . A feedstock for a coal-fired power station prepared by the method of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 1 , further comprising processing the resulting pyrolysed charred solid product by mixing the product in finely divided form with a binding agent, and compressing the mixture to form a compressed product. 
     
     
         17 . A compressed product formed from the charred solid product of  claim 14 . 
     
     
         18 . A compressed product according to  claim 17 , wherein the compressed product is a water-resistant compressed char product. 
     
     
         19 . A method of processing a charred solid product of  claim 14 , comprising mixing the product in finely divided form with a binding agent, and compressing the mixture to form a compressed product. 
     
     
         20 . A method of treating biomass material, comprising
 subjecting the biomass material to radio frequency electromagnetic radiation while the material is being agitated to produce a pyrolysed solid product;   mixing the product with a binding agent; and   compressing the mixture to produce a compressed solid product.   
     
     
         21 . A method according to  claim 16 , wherein the binding agent comprises a starch binding agent.