From Vegetation Or Refuse Patents (Class 44/605)
  • Patent number: 8721794
    Abstract: Lignocellulosic biomass hydrolysate fermentation broth may be processed to produce a high solids syrup having relatively low viscosity that has a high energy content and may be burned in a fermentation production process. The high solids syrup was achieved through liquid/solid separation of broth or depleted broth producing a thin stillage with low suspended solids allowing evaporation to high solids while maintaining low viscosity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: E I du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Susan Marie Hennessey, Rahul B. Kasat
  • Patent number: 8721745
    Abstract: The invention relates to fuel formed by a fuel mixture, whose one component is formed by partially dewatered stillage from the bioethanol production and the other one are milled materials, where the ratio of total of sodium weight and potassium weight in the ashes to the weight of the other non-combustible components of a value less than 1:5.85 and/or it set up to achieve the resulting ash melting temperature of the mixture higher than 760° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Inventor: Milan Ptacek
  • Publication number: 20140123551
    Abstract: Embodiments presented herein describe an apparatus and method to convert carbonaceous materials, particularly biomass and those biomass resources which are remotely located, into a high performance solid fuel. This method, and the apparatus described as the means to accomplish this method, provides a continuous process which can be completely powered by the energy contained in the biomass. The heat, mechanical power and electrical power are provided from the energy in the biomass, through the methods described. In this way, the apparatus is free to operate in remote locations, where no power or auxiliary fuel sources are available.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2014
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: Renewable Fuel Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Wechsler, Arthur M. Shulenberger
  • Patent number: 8709239
    Abstract: A process is disclosed process for converting a solid or highly viscous carbon-based energy carrier material to liquid and gaseous reaction products, said process comprising the steps of: a) contacting the carbon-based energy carrier material with a particulate catalyst material b) converting the carbon-based energy carrier material at a reaction temperature between 200° C. and 450° C., preferably between 250° C. and 350° C., thereby forming reaction products in the vapor phase. In a preferred embodiment the process comprises the additional step of: c) separating the vapor phase reaction products from the particulate catalyst material within 10 seconds after said reaction products are formed. In a further preferred embodiment step c) is followed by: d) quenching the reaction products to a temperature below 200° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: KiOR, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul O'Connor, Dennis Stamires, Jacob Adriaan Moulijn
  • Publication number: 20140109469
    Abstract: A process for the production of high quality synthetic coal from biomass or urban waste, while effectively reducing its potential for dioxin production. The feedstock is first sorted to remove recyclable inorganic materials. After size reduction, the feedstock is pyrolyzed at a temperature range of 500 to 600° F. (260-315° C.), in a high capacity, continuous mixer reactor, using in-situ viscous shear heating of the waste materials, to produce a highly uniform, granular synthetic fuel product similar in energy content, storage and handling characteristics to, but much cleaner burning than, natural coal. The process effectively destroys dioxins and other chlorinated hydrocarbons that may be present in the feedstock, while removing and sequestering chlorine as alkali salts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Inventor: Fred L. Jones
  • Patent number: 8702820
    Abstract: The present description relates to a method and system for generating a fuel pellet from high sulfur fuel waste materials having a reduced SO2 emission. In one example, the fuel pellet may include petroleum coke, a biomass constituent, and an alkali substituent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Elite Fuels LLC
    Inventors: Donald Ray Blackmon, Gerald Joseph Byrd, Sr.
  • Patent number: 8702822
    Abstract: Methods and reactors for producing a fuel are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the method uses a biomass feedstock and alkane and/or alcohol feedstock, which can be contacted with a metal-containing catalyst to form products including a bio-oil. In some embodiments, oxygen-containing functional groups can be removed from a bio-oil using one or more zeolite thin films.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Aditya Bhan, Michael Tsapatsis, Lanny D. Schmidt, Paul J. Dauenhauer
  • Patent number: 8702991
    Abstract: Described herein are systems, methods, and apparatuses for aggregating microorganism in an aqueous suspension. In particular, are systems, methods, and apparatuses that apply an electrical field to an aqueous suspension comprising microorganisms as the aqueous suspension follows a flow path to cause aggregation of the microorganisms. The electrical field may be continuous or pulsed. In some embodiments, the flow path for the aqueous suspension may vary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Heliae Development, LLC
    Inventors: Justin S. Kniep, Aniket Kale
  • Patent number: 8702821
    Abstract: The present description relates to a method and system for generating a fuel pellet from high sulfur fuel waste materials having a reduced SO2 emission. In one example, the fuel pellet may include petroleum coke, a biomass constituent, and an alkali substituent. Further in another example, the fuel pellet may include iron oxide catalyst increasing the capture of SO2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Elite Fuels LLC
    Inventors: Donald Ray Blackmon, Gerald Joseph Byrd, Sr.
  • Patent number: 8686210
    Abstract: A process for obtaining gaseous hydrocarbons from a starting material which contains oxygen-containing hydrocarbons. The process includes providing the starting material and contacting the starting material with a porous catalyst at a temperature of 300-850° C. in the absence of oxygen in a converting reactor so as to form a hydrocarbon-containing product gas mixture in which a proportion by weight of gaseous hydrocarbons is greater than a proportion by weight of liquid hydrocarbons in the gas mixture. Additionally, the process includes collecting a hydrocarbon-containing product gas stream of the hydrocarbon-containing product gas mixture and introducing the product gas stream into a separation apparatus in which product fractionation is carried out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der Angewandten Forschung E.V.
    Inventors: Volker Heil, Wolfgang Urban, Axel Kraft, Christoph Unger, Karl Meller, Joachim Danzig, Ulrich Seifert, Anna Fastabend, Silvana Rossow, Andreas Menne
  • Patent number: 8686203
    Abstract: A process for preparing fuels, such as diesel fuels or jet fuels, by hydrotreating vegetable oils or fatty acid derivatives that may be applied to existing equipment for treating fossil fuels. The process comprises feeding hydrotreating a combined oxygenate feed stream, such as FAME, and a hydrocarbon feed stream until not more than 86 wt % of the esters in the oxygenate feed stream are converted to hydrocarbons, and optionally further hydrotreating the product stream within at least a second hydrotreatment reaction zone until at least 90 wt % of the esters in the oxygenate feed stream are converted to hydrocarbons, before removing and separating a hydrocarbon stream suitable for use as fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Patrick L. Hanks, Kathryn Y. Cole, William E. Lewis
  • Publication number: 20140088205
    Abstract: A method and process is described for producing negative carbon fuel. In its broadest form, a carbon-containing input is converted to combustible fuels, refinery feedstock, or chemicals and a carbonaceous solid concurrently in separate and substantially uncontaminated form. In an embodiment of the invention, biomass is converted via discrete increasing temperatures under pressure to blendable combustible fuels and a carbonaceous solid. The carbonaceous solid may be reacted to synthesis gas, sold as charcoal product, carbon credits, used for carbon offsets, or sequestered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: Cool Planet Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael C. CHEIKY, Ronald A. SILLS
  • Publication number: 20140075834
    Abstract: This invention provides processes and systems for converting biomass into high-carbon biogenic reagents that are suitable for a variety of commercial applications. Some embodiments employ pyrolysis in the presence of an inert gas to generate hot pyrolyzed solids, condensable vapors, and non-condensable gases, followed by separation of vapors and gases, and cooling of the hot pyrolyzed solids in the presence of the inert gas. Additives may be introduced during processing or combined with the reagent, or both. The biogenic reagent may include at least 70 wt %, 80 wt %, 90 wt %, 95 wt %, or more total carbon on a dry basis. The biogenic reagent may have an energy content of at least 12,000 Btu/lb, 13,000 Btu/lb, 14,000 Btu/lb, or 14,500 Btu/lb on a dry basis. The biogenic reagent may be formed into fine powders, or structural objects. The structural objects may have a structure and/or strength that derive from the feedstock, heat rate, and additives.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: BIOGENIC REAGENTS LLC
    Inventors: James A. Mennell, Daniel J. Despen
  • Publication number: 20140075835
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments are operable to produce biochar from a biomass or to dry a biomass through controlled heating. While prior art technologies are stationary enclosures, the embodiments provided herein are based on a portable, flexible laminated blanket that is draped over a biomass (e.g., a wood slash pile). In this way, the blanket functions as a portable and reusable kiln for pyrolyzing biomass into biochar or drying biomass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: University of Washington through its Center for Commercialization
    Inventors: Kenneth B. Faires, Daniel T. Schwartz, Gregory M. Newbloom, Jeffrey J. Richards, Michael S. Noon, Jenny L. Knoth
  • Patent number: 8673031
    Abstract: A product comprising at least one densified biomass particulate of a given mass having no added binder and comprised of a plurality of lignin-coated plant biomass fibers is provided, wherein the at least one densified biomass particulate has an intrinsic density substantially equivalent to a binder-containing densified biomass particulate of the same given mass and h a substantially smooth, non-flakey outer surface. Methods for using and making the product are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Board of Trustees of Michigan State University
    Inventors: Bruce E. Dale, Bryan Ritchie, Derek Marshall
  • Patent number: 8674160
    Abstract: Feeds containing a hydrotreated biocomponent portion, and optionally a mineral portion, can be processed under catalytic conditions for isomerization and/or dewaxing. The sulfur content of the feed for dewaxing can be selected based on the hydrogenation metal used for the catalyst. Diesel fuel products with improved cold flow properties can be produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Patrick L. Hanks, Timothy L. Hilbert, William J. Novak, Christopher G. Oliveri
  • Patent number: 8674151
    Abstract: The invention describes a two-step process for hydrotreatment of a feed derived from a renewable source, comprising: a) a first step, termed a mild pre-hydrogenation step, operating in the presence of a first, metallic, catalyst comprising an active hydrodehydrogenating phase constituted by at least one metal from group VIII and/or at least one metal from group VIB and an amorphous mineral support; and b) a second step, termed the second treatment step, operating in the presence of a second, sulphurized, catalyst comprising an active hydrodehydrogenating phase constituted by at least one non-noble metal from group VIII and/or at least one metal from group VIB and an amorphous mineral support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: IFP Energies Nouvelles
    Inventors: Quentin Debuisschert, Jean Cosyns, Thierry Chapus, Damien Hudebine
  • Publication number: 20140069798
    Abstract: Provided herein is a method, device and installation for devolatizing a solid feedstock, comprising carbon-based waste selected from the group consisting of hazardous material, biomass, animal manure, tires, municipal solid waste and refuse derived fuel. The method comprises treating the solid feedstock to a produce a particle size laying between about 1 cm3 and about 100 cm3. The solid feedstock is passed into a jacketed system. The solid feedstock is contacted with a heated gas, comprising hydrogen, inside the jacketed system at a temperature of about 500° C. to about 1000° C. for a time of about 60 seconds to about 120 seconds, whereby the solid feedstock is converted into a gas stream and a solid stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: D4 ENERGY GROUP
    Inventors: David Earle Hayward, Marvin Ronnie Baker
  • Patent number: 8668811
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus and a method for producing a pyrolysis liquid, wherein the pyrolysis liquid is formed by means of pyrolysis from a raw material by forming, and a pyrolysis reactor, a gaseous pyrolysis product by pyrolysis and condensing it in a condenser into a pyrolysis liquid, and feeding circulation gas into the pyrolysis reactor. The circulation gas is conducted by a liquid ring compressor into the pyrolysis reactor and purified before being conducted into the pyrolysis reactor, and the pyrolysis liquid is used as the liquid layer in the liquid ring compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Metso Power Oy
    Inventors: Sampo Ratinen, Jani Lehto, Mikko Anttila, Tuomo Hilli, Kristin Onarheim, Ismo Hirvonen, Yrjo Solantausta, Markku Raiko
  • Patent number: 8653312
    Abstract: Provided herein is a method for producing a water-insoluble liquefied fuel oil containing a hydrocarbon from biomass. The method includes converting an oxygen-containing compound in a liquefied fuel oil obtained after liquefaction to a hydrocarbon and converting a water-soluble organic substance contained in an aqueous phase to a hydrocarbon, thereby improving the yield of the water-insoluble liquefied fuel oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazushi Tsurutani, Tsutomu Sakai, Mitsuru Kondo
  • Publication number: 20140041560
    Abstract: A method of creating and using a high-carbon spent pot lining (SPL) as a fuel, including delining the high-carbon spent pot lining from an electrolytic cell and combusting the SPL in a furnace.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Inventors: Francis Caron, Denis Guay, Dany Drapeau
  • Patent number: 8647398
    Abstract: A process and system for separating and upgrading bio-oil into renewable fuels is provided. The process comprises separating bio-oil into a light fraction and heavy fraction based on their boiling points. The heavy fraction is then subjected to hydrotreatment, while the light fraction is not subjected to hydrotreatment. At least a portion of the un-hydrotreated light fraction and at least a portion of the hydrotreated heavy fraction are blended with petroleum-derived gasoline to thereby provide a renewable gasoline, and at least a portion of the hydrotreated heavy fraction is blended with petroleum-derived diesel to thereby provide a renewable diesel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: KiOR, Inc.
    Inventors: Maria Magdalena Ramirez Corredores, Vicente Sanchez Iglesias
  • Patent number: 8648218
    Abstract: In an embodiment of the disclosure, a method for preparing a phenolic compound is provided. The method includes providing a lignin depolymerization product, and hydrogenating the lignin depolymerization product under iron oxide and hydrogen gas to prepare a phenolic compound. The prepared phenolic compound is a crude phenolic composition including phenol, methylphenol, dimethylphenol or a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Chiung-Fang Liu, Chih-Ching Chen, Chih-Hao Chen, Pei-Jung Yu, Ying-Hsi Chang, Hou-Peng Wan, Hom-Ti Lee
  • Patent number: 8647399
    Abstract: The Present Invention is a fire starting device for use as kindling manufactured from pine straw, as the primary component, a vegetable oil, natural resins, and an herbal component. The device is hollow, having at least one vertical channel and at least one horizontal channel drilled from the outer wall of the device to the inner vertical channel. The fire starter device is ignited from the top, and it burns to produce a high, intense flame that ignites other flammable materials having a much greater kindling temperature. The height of the flame and the burn duration are controlled by the overall size of the device and the sizes of the channels. The device burns clean with a minimum of smoke and harmful or noxious fumes. Burning the device minimally creates air pollution. It burns completely with a minimum of ash residue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: APPTEC, Inc.
    Inventors: Vilambi Reddy, Anil Torgalkar, Lionel Xavier
  • Publication number: 20140033777
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a process for producing synthetic coal and aqueous liquid plant fertilizing solution products from a fermentation residue such as is left over from the corn based process of producing ethanol. The synthetic coal has a high heat value commensurate with naturally occurring coals and is lower in ash and sulfur content and thus has value as a clean burning energy source. The aqueous fertilizer includes commercially useful amounts of phosphorous, potassium and nitrogen in solution. The process of the invention is also energy efficient in that the products produced thereby involve the use of substantially less energy as compared to the traditional methods of processing fermentation residues in the corn based ethanol production industry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Inventors: Frederick J. Schendel, Marc von Keitz, Kenneth J. Valentas, Steven M. Heilmann, Lindsey R. Jader, Brandon M. Wood
  • Patent number: 8641910
    Abstract: Systems and processes for converting bulky lignocellulosic biomass to high density biomass products, including biofuels, are described. The systems and processes relate to treating freshly harvested plant materials, generally at or in close proximity to sites where the plant materials are harvested, to effect saccharification, alcoholic fermentation, or simultaneous saccharification and fermentation, thereby providing a liquefied biomass. The liquefied biomass is extracted to provide liquid extracts comprising biomass-derived water and water soluble biomass saccharification and fermentation products, including fermentable sugars and alcohols. The liquid biomass extracts can be transported via pipeline to other locations for fermentation, further saccharification, and/or purification to provide biofuel. Alternatively, the liquefied biomass can be used to prepare a biomass slurry that can be transported via pipeline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Syngenta Participations AG
    Inventor: Gary Wietgrefe
  • Publication number: 20140026791
    Abstract: Provided are a device and a method for manufacturing a semi-carbonized fuel of a biomass that does not require an external heat source and is capable of suppressing adhesion of tar, condensed water, or the like to a pipe. The device includes a drying device for heating and drying a biomass, a pyrolysis device for decomposing the dried biomass, and a combustion device for supplying heat to the drying device and the pyrolysis device. The pyrolysis device is supplied with a part of a combustion exhaust gas generated in the combustion device, directly mixes the supplied combustion exhaust gas and the biomass to heat and pyrolytically decompose the biomass, and supplies a mixed gas of a generated pyrolysis gas and the combustion exhaust gas to the combustion device. The combustion device is supplied with an air for combustion, combust the supplied mixed gas, and generate the combustion exhaust gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: HITACHI LTD
    Inventors: Hirofumi Okazaki, Akihito Orii, Tetsuma Tatsumi
  • Patent number: 8637717
    Abstract: A municipal solid waste material is converted to a refuse derived fuel then to syngas which is processed to produce a liquid feedstream via Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis. The Fischer-Tropsch liquid feedstream is combined with a triglyceride feedstream then hydroprocessed to produce a distillate fuel end product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Rational Energies, LLC
    Inventors: Ian S. Mackay, Juan F. Pearcy Salinas
  • Publication number: 20140020286
    Abstract: The present document describes a catalyst to initiate microwave pyrolysis of waste, a process for the microwave pyrolysis of waste using the catalyst, as well as a microwave pyrolysis system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: Services Kengtek Inc.
    Inventors: Jocelyn Doucet, Jamal Chaouki, Amr Sobhy
  • Publication number: 20140026255
    Abstract: This invention relates to compositions and methods for reducing reactive oxygen species in plants, yeast, algae or bacteria by transforming a plant, yeast or bacteria with a heterologous polynucleotide encoding a superoxide reductase from an archaeon species. The invention also provides methods for protecting a photosynthetic reaction center, for reducing photorespiration and/or for increasing the photosynthetic efficiency of plants or cyanobacteria as well as methods for increasing tolerance to abiotic stress in plants, yeast or bacteria by transforming a plant, yeast, or bacteria with a heterologous polynucleotide encoding a archaeon superoxide reductase. Methods for delaying senescence, reducing lignin polymerization and increasing accessibility of cell wall cellulose to an enzyme in a plant by transforming the plant with a heterologous polynucleotide encoding an archaeon superoxide reductase are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Inventors: AMY MICHELE GRUNDEN, HEIKE INGE ADA SEDEROFF, ROOPA D. YALAMANCHILI
  • Patent number: 8628593
    Abstract: The process described in the instant invention has the steps of dissolving the lipid-containing biomass in an ionic liquid, whereby a lipid phase and a hydrophilic phase are formed. The lipid phase contains primarily triglycerides, which can be converted to biodiesel by transesterification to, e.g., methyl esters. The hydrophilic phase comprises dissolved biopolymers, such as cellulose, hemicellulose, and protein. The biopolymers are converted in situ to compounds that are insoluble in the molten inorganic salt hydrate. The molten inorganic salt hydrates regenerated by removing insolubles, such as lignin, ash from the biomass, and water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: BOleCON International Holding N.V.
    Inventors: Jacob A. Moulijn, Sjoerd Daamen, Paul O'Connor, Rob Van Der Meij
  • Patent number: 8629309
    Abstract: Provided herein is a method for producing a water-insoluble liquefied fuel oil containing a hydrocarbon from biomass. The method includes converting an oxygen-containing compound in a liquefied fuel oil obtained after liquefaction to a hydrocarbon and converting a water-soluble organic substance contained in an aqueous phase to a hydrocarbon, thereby improving the yield of the water-insoluble liquefied fuel oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazushi Tsurutani, Tsutomu Sakai, Mitsuru Kondo
  • Publication number: 20140007499
    Abstract: A composition of matter is disclosed comprising an intimate mixture of a particulate solid biomass material and a carbonaceous material. The composition is suitable for conversion to a bio-oil in a pyrolysis reaction. The carbonaceous material acts as a reducing agent during the pyrolysis reaction. The composition of matter produces bio-oil in a greater yield than prior art processes. The bio-oil is of improved quality, as evidenced by its low TAN value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: KiOR, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis Stamires, Paul O'Connor
  • Patent number: 8624073
    Abstract: Non-basic and non-acidic homogeneous catalysts organo-metallic compound of the formula: M(OCH3)x wherein M is B, Na, Mg, K, Ca, Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, Ge, Al, Sn, Sb, Mo, Ag, and Cd and x is an integer from 2, 3 or 4 can catalyze transesterification of oils and fats having high free fatty acid content and with an acid number from 0.5 to 20, into biodiesel. B(OCH3)3 and Ge(OCH3)4, having low boiling points, are easily recovered from the biodiesel and glycerol phases and recycled for reuse. Continuous biodiesel production with the novel homogenous catalysts is achieved without the complicated and troublesome steps attendant with conventional processes using base or acid homogeneous catalyst. The high purity biodiesel is produced without acid-base neutralization, water wash, filtration, and solid disposal steps for removing the spent catalyst from the product streams associated with prior techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: CPC Corporation, Taiwan
    Inventors: Shih-Chieh Yang, Jen-Ray Chang, Maw-Tien Lee, Tzong-Bin Lin, Fu-Ming Lee, Cheng-Tsung Hong, Jeng-Cheng Lee
  • Patent number: 8618341
    Abstract: A liquid fuel production process from cellulosic biomass comprises the following steps: (1) providing a mixture of cellulose and water; (2) subjecting the obtained mixture to hydrolysis and catalytic hydrogenation under the presence of acid to obtain mono-sugar alcohol and optional solid material lignin, or subjecting the obtained mixture to hydrolysis to obtain monosaccharide; (3) esterifying the obtained mono-sugar with C2-C5 organic acid to obtain a liquid fuel II, or subjecting the obtained mono-sugar alcohol or monosaccharide to dehydration/hydrogenation to obtain an organic liquid fuel I consisting of alkanes. This process avoids the loss of organic carbon atoms during fermentation, and the sugar derived from cellulosic biomass can be converted to organic carbon in the liquid fuel. The lignin produced by the process can be used for preparing aromatics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: China Fuel (Huaibei) Bioenergy Technology Development Co. Ltd
    Inventors: Hongping Yie, Meg M. Sun, Zuolin Zhu
  • Patent number: 8617261
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for converting aquatic biomass to a bio-oil. The process comprises mixing the aquatic biomass with a particulate catalytic material; subjecting the aquatic biomass to a catalytic cracking reaction to form a reaction mixture comprising a bio-oil; and isolating the bio-oil from the reaction mixture. Preferably the process is integrated with a plant for producing aquatic biomass, so that heat and CO2 generated during the process may be used in the production of aquatic biomass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: KiOR, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul O'Connor
  • Publication number: 20130326935
    Abstract: A system and corresponding process for treating biomass, including by use of a plurality of pyrolysis treatment steps. The process can be used to provide a first pyrolysis product (e.g., intermediate), in the form of a carbon enriched material that contains substantially less hemicellulose content than the initial biomass, while substantially retaining and optionally enriching cellulose and/or lignin content as compared to the initial biomass. The process also includes a second pyrolysis device, adapted to further pyrolyze the first pyrolysis product in order to provide one or more gasses and/or vapors (e.g., providing condensable or non-condensable bio-products) and solid ash byproduct.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: Bepex International, LLC
    Inventor: Gregory J. Kimball
  • Publication number: 20130333067
    Abstract: A new synthetic cultivar of prairie cordgrass designated ‘Savoy’ is described. ‘Savoy’ is well adapted to the lower Midwest environment of the United States of America, and has a higher biomass yield potential than presently available commercial prairie cordgrass cultivars, such as ‘Red River’. In particular, compared to ‘Red River’, the cultivar ‘Savoy’ has higher mass per tiller, more leaves per tiller, higher shoot height and longer, wider leaves containing more biomass per leaf.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Inventors: Dokyoung LEE, Allen PARRISH
  • Publication number: 20130330677
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of coal to form a paste that can be used as a fuel or incorporated with other fillers to form pellets or briquettes. The paste is formed from crushed or powdered coal mixed in a liquid fuel and may be used as is or may be mixed with a carrier fuel prior to combustion or it could be mixed with other biomass fillers to produce a solid fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2013
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Inventors: Joel Sterling Douglas, Michael Curtis
  • Patent number: 8604261
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for converting biomass-derived streams of hydrocarbon diols into products suitable for use as a biomass-derived fuel additive. These methods involve the condensation of diols comprising five or six carbon atoms to form condensation products containing at least ten carbon atoms. The remaining hydroxyl functional groups of the condensation products are optionally modified to decrease overall polarity of the products, and improve miscibility with liquid hydrocarbon mixtures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Phillips 66 Company
    Inventor: Matthew J. Truit
  • Patent number: 8604260
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for biomass conversion in a catalytic pyrolysis reactor to convert such to liquid hydrocarbons which includes conditions which favor increased olefin production; wherein the olefins are then upgraded alone or with the produced bio-oil to fuel range hydrocarbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: KiOR, Inc.
    Inventor: Andre Ditsch
  • Publication number: 20130312471
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for obtaining a solid fertilizer and biofuel product from sugarcane vinasses and solid fertilizer and biofuel product obtained by means of said method which allows optimum use of resources and high energy efficiency throughout the method, in addition to a solution for managing the residue constituted by vinasse, comprising a step A consisting of concentrating liquid vinasse (1) until obtaining concentrated vinasse (2) with a percentage of solid of at least 50%, a step B consisting of mixing the concentrated vinasse (2) with plant compounds (3), and a step C consisting of granulating the mixture obtained in step B until obtaining a solid granulated product (4) that can be used as fertilizer (4?) and as biofuel (4?).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: HPD PROCESS ENGINEERING, S.A.
    Inventor: Ignacio Martinez Garmendia
  • Publication number: 20130318653
    Abstract: Provided are methods for decreasing carbon flow into lignin in plants, comprising reducing or eliminating, using mutagenesis and/or recombinant means, expression and/or activity of at least one chloroplast-localized arogenate dehydratase (ADT) sufficient to reduce phenylalanine (Phe) availability for metabolism into Phe-derived phenylpropanoids, wherein the amount, level or distribution of lignin is reduced relative to control plants. In particular aspects, the plant has a plurality of chloroplast-localized ADTs, and reducing or eliminating comprises reducing or eliminating expression and/or activity of at least two of the plurality of ADTs. Also provided are recombinant plants or parts or cells thereof, comprising at least one mutation, genetic alteration or transgene that reduces or eliminates the expression and/or activity of at least one chloroplast-localized ADT, wherein the amount, level or distribution of lignin is reduced relative to normal. Further provided are reduced lignin plant products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: Washington State University
    Inventors: Norman G. Lewis, Laurence B. Davin, Oliver R.A. Corea, Sung-Jin Kim
  • Patent number: 8592638
    Abstract: In the process of the invention, an aliphatic C2-C14 hydrocarbon product is prepared from natural fats or derivatives thereof. The process comprises the steps of: (i) providing a natural fat or derivative thereof, (ii) deoxygenating a natural fat or derivative thereof originating from step (i) to yield an aliphatic C9-C28 hydrocarbon, (iii) hydrocracking an aliphatic C9-C28 hydrocarbon originating from step (ii) to yield a product comprising an aliphatic C2-C14 hydrocarbon, (iv) isomerising an aliphatic C2-C14 hydrocarbon originating from step (iii) into an isomerised aliphatic C2-C14 hydrocarbon, and optionally (v) recovering an isomerised C2-C14 hydrocarbon originating from step (iv) as said C2-C14 hydrocarbon product. Pure and high quality light fuel is easily obtained in sufficient amounts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Neste Oil Oyj
    Inventors: Pekka Aalto, Ville Alopaeus, Elina Harlin, Raimo Linnaila, Leena Rantanen-Kolehmainen
  • Patent number: 8591606
    Abstract: A biofuel that includes a blend of municipal solid waste, selected recyclables, and/or construction and demolition waste including about 40% to 60% wood, about 10% to 20% paper, about 10% to 20% cardboard, about 5% to 10% non-chlorinated plastics, about 5% to 10% rags, about 5% to 10% rugs, and an emission reducing agent, the emission reducing agent being one or more of urea, calcium hydroxide, hydroquinone, anthraquinone, ammonium hydroxide, ammonia, and an ammonium compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Inventor: Louis Wagner
  • Publication number: 20130305599
    Abstract: Methods of harvesting algae, and using algae as a biofuel, livestock feed, or food supplement are provided. The methods comprise contacting liquid algae suspensions with a filtration media. Depending upon the filtration media, the resulting algae and filtration media admixture is then utilized as a biofuel, livestock feed, food supplements, or for the extraction of algae oil. Admixtures comprising a combustible filtration media, such as coal, are particularly preferred. The methods are suitable for use with any algae species. Compositions for use as a biofuel, livestock feed, or food supplement are also provided. These compositions comprise an admixture of algae and a filtration media.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Inventor: Albert C. Rettenmaier
  • Patent number: 8585976
    Abstract: A device for selectively removing contaminants from a crude product mixture which includes a production reactor for producing a crude oil product mixture, the production reactor includes a lipid reservoir and an alcohol reservoir and a first organic acid removal reactor in fluid communication with the production reactor. The first organic acid removal reactor includes a first housing defining an interior volume the housing configured to receive the crude oil products and disposed within the interior volume of the removal reactor housing is metal oxide media selected from the group consisting of zirconia, alumina, hafnia and titania for removing organic acidic contaminants from the crude oil product to product a purified biodiesel fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: McNeff Research Consultants, Inc.
    Inventors: Clayton V. McNeff, Larry C. McNeff, Bingwen Yan
  • Patent number: 8585785
    Abstract: A method for production of fuel pellets from a biological material, preferably saw dust, wood or similar, where the method comprises the following steps: supplying the material to a drying step (1) and dry the material to a relative humidity from 40-65 weight-percent to 30-45 weight-percent; supplying the material from the dryer step (1), optionally via an intermediate storage step (2), to a reactor step (3, 3?) and heat the material to 200-300° C. by supply of steam; keeping the material in the reactor at the achieved temperature in sufficient time to soften the material; reducing the pressure of the reactor step (3, 3?) in at least two steps, in order to defibrate the material and release of lignin, and supply the material from the reactor step (3, 3?) to an additional drying step (5), optionally via an intermediate storage step (4), and optionally pelletizing of the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Arbaflame Technology AS and Cambi Technology AS
    Inventors: Rune Brusletto, Odd Egil Solheim, Hans Rasmus Holte
  • Patent number: 8586805
    Abstract: A method comprising the steps of providing a fatty acyl mixture comprising: (i) a C10-C16 acyl carbon atom chain content of at least 30 wt. % wherein at least 80% of the C10-C16 acyl carbon atom chains are saturated; and (ii) a C18-C22 acyl carbon atom chain content of at least 20 wt. % wherein at least 50% of the acyl C16-C22 carbon atom chains contain at least one double bond; hydrolyzing at least some of the mixture to yield a quantity of C10-C16 saturated fatty acids and C18-C22 unsaturated fatty acids; oligomerizing at least some of the C18-C22 unsaturated fatty acids to yield a quantity of C36+ fatty acid oligomers; separating at least some of the C10-C16 saturated fatty acids from the C36+ fatty acid oligomers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen J. Miller
  • Patent number: 8585787
    Abstract: The invention relates to the use of engineered fuel feedstocks to control the emission of sulfur-based, chlorine-based, nitrogen-based, or mercury-based pollutants, such as SO2, SO3, H2SO4, NO, NO2, HCl, and Hg that are generated during the combustion of fossil fuels, such as coal. Disclosed are novel engineered fuel feedstocks, feedstocks produced by the described processes, methods of making the fuel feedstocks, methods of producing energy from the fuel feedstocks, and methods of generating electricity from the fuel feedstocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: MPH Energy LLC
    Inventors: Dingrong Bai, Paula Calabrese