Biorefining Method

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to the generation of bio-products from organic matter feedstocks. More specifically, the present invention relates to improved methods for the hydrothermal/thermochemical conversion of lignocellulosic and/or fossilised organic feedstocks into biofuels (e.g. bio-oils) and/or chemical products (e.g. platform chemicals).

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method of inhibiting a substantial pressure gradient in a continuous or a semi-continuous flow reactor for the production of a product mixture, comprising:
 providing a reaction mixture comprising organic matter feedstock, a solvent, and a solid substrate in the reaction mixture to the continuous or the semi-continuous flow reactor, the solid substrate thereby inhibiting a substantial pressure gradient of the reaction mixture while in the continuous or the semi-continuous flow reactor.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the continuous or the semi-continuous flow reactor is a reactor vessel comprising reactor vessel walls, and
 wherein inhibiting the substantial pressure gradient in the continuous or the semi-continuous flow reactor results from the solid substrate causing substantial avoidance of at least one of char and scale accumulation on the reactor vessel walls.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the continuous or the semi-continuous flow reactor is a reactor vessel comprising reactor vessel walls, and avoidance of at least one of char and scale accumulation on the reactor vessel walls provides for the ability of separation of components of the product mixture, a component of the product mixture comprising the organic matter feedstock that becomes charred in the continuous or the semi-continuous flow reactor. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein charred organic matter feedstock is a component of the product mixture and is separated from the product mixture by thermally treating the product mixture to generate a carbon-rich char. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein thermally treating the product mixture is in the substantial absence of oxygen. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the method comprises producing a carbon-rich char from charred organic matter retrieved during the separation. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the solid substrate comprises between 5% and 15% of the total combined mass of the solid substrate and organic matter feedstock. 
     
     
         28 . A method for the production of a product mixture utilising a continuous or a semi-continuous reactor vessel having reactor vessel walls, comprising:
 providing a reaction mixture comprising organic matter feedstock, a solvent, and a solid substrate in the reaction mixture, the solid substrate thereby providing substantial avoidance of at least one of char and scale accumulation on the reactor vessel walls.   
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the solid substrate sequesters at least one of organic and/or inorganic matter that de-solubilises within the reaction mixture while in the continuous or the semi-continuous flow reactor. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein charred organic matter is a component of the product mixture and is separated from the product mixture. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein charred organic matter is a component of the product mixture and is separated from the product mixture by thermally treating the product mixture to generate a carbon-rich char. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein thermally treating the product mixture is in the substantial absence of oxygen. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein substantial avoidance of at least one of char and scale accumulation on the reactor vessel walls inhibits a substantial pressure gradient in the continuous or the semi-continuous flow reactor. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the method comprises producing a carbon-rich char from charred organic matter separated from the product mixture. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the solid substrate comprises between 5% and 15% of the total combined mass of the solid substrate and organic matter feedstock. 
     
     
         36 . A method for producing a carbon-rich char from organic matter feedstock, the method comprising:
 providing a reaction mixture comprising the organic matter feedstock, a solvent, and a solid substrate in the reaction mixture;   treating the reaction mixture in a reactor vessel at a reaction temperature and pressure suitable for conversion of all or a portion of the organic matter feedstock into a product mixture;   depressurising and cooling the product mixture, wherein the solid substrate is solid or substantially solid at the reaction temperature and pressure, and sequesters organic and/or inorganic matter that de-solubilises within the reaction mixture or the product mixture;   thermally treating the product mixture to generate the carbon-rich char; and   separating the carbon-rich char from the product mixture.   
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the reactor vessel comprises reactor vessel walls and the solid substrate provides substantial avoidance of at least one of char and scale accumulation on the reactor vessel walls. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the solid substrate inhibits formation of a substantial pressure gradient within the reaction vessel during conversion of all or a portion of the organic matter feedstock into the product mixture. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the solid substrate comprises between 5% and 15% of the total combined mass of the solid substrate and organic matter feedstock. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein thermally treating the product mixture is in the substantial absence of oxygen.