Biomass reactor

Abstract

A biomass fractionator and method are described for inputting ground biomass and outputting several vapor streams of bio-intermediate compounds along with syngas and biochar. One such biomass fractionate comprises: means for receiving ground biomass into the system; and a plurality of biomass processing stations including means for heating the biomass and subjecting the biomass to biofractioning, and means for collecting residual carbon and biochar.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for biomass fractioning, comprising:
 means for receiving ground biomass into the system; and   a plurality of biomass processing stations comprising:
 means for heating the biomass and subjecting the biomass to biofractioning; and 
 means for collecting residual carbon and biochar. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the means for heating the biomass and subjecting the biomass to biofractioning comprises an auger reactor. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the auger reactor comprises means for extracting a process gas stream containing one or more volatile components. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the means for heating the biomass and subjecting the biomass to biofractioning comprises:
 means for feeding the biomass into a feeder of an auger reactor;   means for conveying biomass through the auger reactor; and   means for heating the biomass as it is conveyed through the auger reactor.   
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the means for conveying the biomass comprises a transfer screw powered by an external motor. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the means for receiving ground biomass comprises:
 means for storing and funneling ground biomass;   means for dispensing ground biomass from the hopper;   means for receiving ground biomass from the dispenser; and   means for moving ground biomass within the biomass load dump station.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of biomass processing stations further comprise means for compressing ground biomass. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the means for compressing ground biomass comprises a heated pulverizing processing station. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of biomass processing stations is implemented as one or more discs. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of biomass processing stations is implemented as a series of interconnected plates configured in an oval configuration. 
     
     
         11 . A method for biomass fractioning, comprising:
 receiving ground biomass;   heating the biomass and subjecting the biomass to biofractioning within a plurality of biomass processing stations; and   collecting residual carbon and biochar.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein heating the biomass and subjecting the biomass to biofractioning comprises conveying the biomass through an auger reactor. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising extracting a process gas stream containing one or more volatile components. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein heating the biomass and subjecting the biomass to biofractioning comprises:
 feeding the biomass into a feeder of an auger reactor;   conveying biomass through the auger reactor; and   heating the biomass as it is conveyed through the auger reactor.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein conveying the biomass comprises conveying the biomass using a rotating a transfer screw powered by an external motor. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein receiving ground biomass comprises:
 storing and funneling ground biomass;   dispensing ground biomass from the hopper;   receiving ground biomass from the dispenser; and   moving ground biomass within the biomass load dump station.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising compressing the ground biomass. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein compressing the ground biomass comprises compressing the ground biomass in a heated pulverizing processing station. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein heating the biomass and subjecting the biomass to biofractioning within a plurality of biomass processing stations comprises heating the biomass and subjecting the biomass to biofractioning within a one or more discs. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein heating the biomass and subjecting the biomass to biofractioning within a plurality of biomass processing stations comprises heating the biomass and subjecting the biomass to biofractioning within a series of interconnected plates configured in an oval configuration.