Methods and systems for promoting hydrogen gas distribution within cellulosic biomass solids during hydrothermal digestion

摘要

Methods and systems for promoting hydrogen gas distribution within cellulosic biomass solids during hydrothermal digestion. One exemplary method can comprise providing cellulosic biomass solids in a hydrothermal digestion unit in the presence of a digestion solvent and a slurry catalyst capable of activating molecular hydrogen; and heating the cellulosic biomass solids and the digestion solvent in the presence of molecular hydrogen, thereby forming an alcoholic component derived from the cellulosic biomass solids, at least a portion of the molecular hydrogen being introduced to the hydrothermal digestion unit via a plurality of spaced apart fluid inlets vertically disposed about the height of the hydrothermal digestion unit.