US 12,410,059 B2
Process to produce an engineered carbon
Earl R. Decker, Windsor (CA)
Assigned to Bright Sand, Inc., Chattanooga, TN (US)
Filed by Earl R. Decker, Windsor (CA)
Filed on May 10, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/662,844.
Application 17/662,844 is a continuation of application No. 16/296,976, filed on Mar. 8, 2019, granted, now 11,325,834, issued on May 10, 2022.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/640,755, filed on Mar. 9, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2022/0348471 A1, Nov. 3, 2022
Int. Cl. C01B 32/318 (2017.01); C01B 32/336 (2017.01); C10B 49/02 (2006.01); C10B 53/02 (2006.01)
CPC C01B 32/318 (2017.08) [C01B 32/336 (2017.08); C10B 53/02 (2013.01); C01P 2006/12 (2013.01); C01P 2006/17 (2013.01); C01P 2006/82 (2013.01); C10B 49/02 (2013.01)] 12 Claims
 
1. A method of converting a biomass feedstock into engineered carbon comprising:
providing a biomass feedstock having sizes and shapes within desired ranges;
providing a holding canister and a sealable reactor vessel;
placing the biomass feedstock into the holding canister;
placing the holding canister into the sealable reactor vessel;
sealing the sealable reactor vessel;
purging the reactor vessel with air;
utilizing a heater to ignite the biomass feedstock;
thermally converting the biomass feedstock;
adding a mixture of superheated steam and/or air;
discontinuing the addition of the superheated steam when a flue gas temperature reaches a desired first temperature;
increasing both temperature of the biomass feedstock and pressure in the reactor vessel to desired second levels;
decreasing the pressure of the reactor vessel to a desired third level by adjusting the addition of compressed air;
continuing the thermal conversion of the biomass feedstock until its temperature reaches a desired third level;
contacting high temperature steam with the biomass feedstock;
adding water into the reactor vessel sufficient to end the thermal conversion of the biomass feedstock, and
recovering the engineered carbon from the reactor vessel.