The Hydrothermal Liquefaction (HTL) capability provides expertise and bench-scale to engineering scale test systems to convert wet waste biomass feedstocks into pumpable slurries, processing them into HTL biocrude, and upgrading the biocrudes into jet, diesel, and marine fuel blend-stocks. This capability is focused on derisking and enabling process scale up and commercialization and directly linked to geographic feedstock resource analysis, technoeconomic and sustainability analysis.
The Modular Hydrothermal Liquefaction System (MHTLS) is designed to convert wet feedstocks (e.g., organic wet wastes, algae, or wood) into biocrude and operates continuously, comprising three stages: Feed Preparation (Skid 1): Involves milling solids in an aqueous slurry using equipment like the Hockmeyer Mill to prepare them for HTL processing. HTL Processing (Skid 2): Biomass slurry feedstock undergoes pressurization and heating in reactors to HTL conditions, producing biocrude and byproducts. Skid 2 offers configurations for optimizing product yield. Product Separations and Storage (Skid 3): Separates the liquefied product into aqueous byproducts, biocrude, and non-condensable gas phases. Specialized separators and filtration systems ensure efficient separation, with biocrude and aqueous phases stored separately.
Overall, MHTLS provides a continuous process for converting wet wastes or biomass into biocrude, a precursor for various finished fuels, including Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).