Lignin fired supercritical or near critical water generator, system and method

Abstract

Methods are disclosed for providing recovered lignin of suitable quantity and quality to provide sufficient heating value to power the generation of supercritical or near critical water without the need for outside sources of energy. Supercritical or near critical water generator devices and systems are also disclosed.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A method of generating supercritical or near critical water, comprising:
 providing water;   heating said water to a temperature of at least about 373° C. to form superheated steam;   applying to said superheated steam a pressure of at least about 221 bar;   wherein said heating comprises combusting a fuel composition comprising lignin; and   wherein said lignin has a heating value of at least about 3,000 BTU/lb.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 ,
 wherein said lignin has a heating value of at least about 5,000 BTU/lb.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 ,
 wherein said lignin has heating value of at least about 7,500 BTU/lb.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 ,
 wherein said lignin is in a powdered form.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 ,
 wherein said lignin is in a pelletized form.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 2 ,
 wherein said lignin is in a liquid form.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 2 ,
 wherein said lignin is produced from a material comprising lignocellulose.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 2 ,
 wherein said fuel composition further comprises at least one supplemental fuel.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 ,
 wherein said supplemental fuel is selected from the group consisting of biomass, natural gas, coal, and mixtures thereof.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 2 ,
 wherein said water in said providing step is at about ambient pressure and about ambient temperature.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 2 ,
 wherein said water in said providing step is clean water.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 preheating said water prior to said step of heating.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 ,
 wherein said water is preheated to a temperature of about 100° C. to about 300° C.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 2 ,
 wherein said step of heating is carried out as multiple steps.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 2 ,
 wherein said step of applying is carried out as multiple steps.   
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 2 ,
 wherein said method is a continuous process.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 2 ,
 wherein said method is a batch or semi-batch process.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 drying said fuel composition comprising lignin.   
     
     
         21 - 30 . (canceled)