BIOMASS LIQUEFACTION UTILIZING EXTRUDER-FEEDER REACTOR SYSTEM.

Biomass including wood could provide liquid fuels on a regional basis if an economic liquefaction process can be developed. Through research sponsored by the U. S. Department of Energy (DOE), under its Thermochemical Conversion Program managed by Battelle PNL, the University of Arizona has developed a unique method of pumping concentrated, viscous biomass slurries, characteristic in biomass direct liquefaction systems. A modified single-screw extruder has now been shown to be capable of pumping solid slurries as high as 60 wt. % wood flour in wood oil derived vacuum bottoms. Preliminary experimental runs showed that a low-oxygen crude wood oil could be produced over a wide range of temperatures, pressures, with or without carbon monoxide and with or without a sodium carbonate catalyst.