Patents Assigned to Range Fuels, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8648226
    Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing gasoline components from syngas. Syngas is converted to one or more of methanol, ethanol, mixed alcohols, and dimethyl ether, followed by various combinations of separations and reactions to produce gasoline components with oxygenates, such as alcohols. The syngas is preferably derived from biomass or another renewable carbon-containing feedstock, thereby providing a biorefining process for the production of renewable gasoline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Range Fuels, Inc.
    Inventors: Shakeel H. Tirmizi, John D. Winter, David T. Gallaspy
  • Patent number: 8366796
    Abstract: The present invention provides modular and distributed methods and systems to convert biomass feedstocks into synthesis gas (syngas). The syngas can then be turned into liquid chemicals and fuels such as ethanol. The modular units of the invention bring the conversion process to the biomass source, thereby minimizing feedstock transportation costs. The modules are capable of being connected to, and/or disconnected from, each other to easily adjust the overall feedstock capacity. The present invention also provides methods and systems to determine an optimal number and distribution of modular conversion units spatially located within a region of land. The disclosed methods and systems are flexible, efficient, scalable, and are capable of being cost-effective at any commercial scale of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Range Fuels, Inc.
    Inventors: Mitchell Mandich, William B. Schafer, III
  • Patent number: 8153027
    Abstract: This invention features methods and apparatus for producing syngas from any carbon-containing feed material. In some embodiments, a substoichiometric amount of oxygen is used to enhance the formation of syngas. In various embodiments, both oxygen and steam are added during the conversion of the feed material into syngas. The syngas can be converted to alcohols, such as ethanol, or to other products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Range Fuels, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Klepper, Arie Geertsema, Shakeel H. Tirmizi, Francis M. Ferraro
  • Patent number: 8142530
    Abstract: This invention features methods and apparatus for producing syngas from any carbon-containing feed material. In some embodiments, a substoichiometric amount of oxygen is used to enhance the formation of syngas. In various embodiments, both oxygen and steam are added during the conversion of the feed material into syngas. The syngas can be converted to alcohols, such as ethanol, or to other products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Range Fuels, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Klepper, Arie Geertsema, Shakeel H. Tirmizi, Heinz Juergen Robota, Francis M. Ferraro, Ronald C. Stites
  • Patent number: 8110522
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods of intercalating a catalyst promoter to form a catalyst composition suitable for converting syngas into alcohols, such as ethanol. Effective conditions for promoter intercalation are provided herein. This invention also provides novel compositions that can be characterized by interplanar spacings of the promoter within the catalyst composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Range Fuels, Inc.
    Inventors: George Meitzner, Karl Kharas
  • Patent number: 8026290
    Abstract: The disclosed invention provides methods and apparatus for producing one or more C1-C4 alcohols (such as ethanol) from syngas, while simultaneously removing CO2, thereby providing low CO2 yields. The present invention provides reactors for producing one or more C1-C4 alcohols from syngas, the reactors containing a first composition capable of catalyzing the conversion of syngas to C1-C4 alcohols under reaction conditions and a second composition capable of (a) adsorbing CO2 under the reaction conditions and then (b) releasing at least some of the CO2 under different regeneration conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Range Fuels, Inc.
    Inventor: Jesse E. Hensley
  • Publication number: 20110160317
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for the chemical conversion of syngas to alcohols. The invention includes catalyst compositions, methods of making the catalyst compositions, and methods of using the catalyst compositions. Certain embodiments teach compositions for catalyzing the conversion of syngas into products comprising at least one C1-C4 alcohol, such as ethanol. These compositions generally include cobalt, molybdenum, and sulfur. Preferred catalyst compositions for converting syngas into alcohols include cobalt associated with sulfide in certain preferred stoichiometries as described and taught herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2011
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: Range Fuels, Inc.
    Inventors: Karl KHARAS, Jason P. Durand
  • Publication number: 20110155958
    Abstract: In some variations, this invention provides a method of drying and gasifying a carbon-containing feedstock, comprising combusting methane to generate heat and a flue gas; drying the carbon-containing feedstock using part of the flue gas; and gasifying the dried feedstock to generate syngas. Some embodiments provide an apparatus for drying comprising a vessel; a primary channel for flowing the solid feedstock and a gas for drying the solid feedstock; a secondary channel for flowing the gas; and a plurality of internal screens or sieve plates suitable for passage of the gas. Other variations provide an apparatus including a primary vessel having a channel for axially flowing the solid feedstock; a pipe contained within the primary vessel, with a plurality of openings for radially distributing a gas for drying the solid feedstock; and a plurality of exit ports at the walls for removal of the gas from the primary vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: Range Fuels, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. WINTER, Curtis J. Jacks, Shakeel H. Tirmizi
  • Publication number: 20110150722
    Abstract: The present invention provides improved methods and apparatus for producing syngas from any carbon-containing feed material. In one aspect, a multi-zone reformer system is provided. A first reaction zone can reduce the presence of refractory tars, while a second reaction zone in communication with the first reaction zone can steam-reform methane and other components from the first reaction zone, to generate high-quality syngas suitable for conversion to liquid fuels, such as ethanol. Other embodiments employ a plurality of reaction zones for added system functionality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2011
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: Range Fuels, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald C. STITES, Kevin T. BIEHLE, Robert E. KLEPPER, Richard RIDLEY
  • Publication number: 20110124927
    Abstract: The present invention provides processes for selectively producing ethanol from syngas. In some variations, the process comprises converting biomass-derived syngas to dimethyl ether, carbonylating the dimethyl ether to methyl acetate, hydrogenating the methyl acetate to methanol and ethanol, and recovering the ethanol product. The methanol is preferably recycled by converting to hydrogen and carbon monoxide for introduction back into the process at distinct points. In certain variations of this invention, fresh syngas feed is introduced downstream of the first unit operation in the sequence. High yields of ethanol from biomass can be achieved according to the disclosed processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: Range Fuels, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald C. STITES, Shakeel Tirmizi, Jerrod Hohman, Stephen Deutch
  • Publication number: 20110107662
    Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing gasoline components from syngas. Syngas is converted to one or more of methanol, ethanol, mixed alcohols, and dimethyl ether, followed by various combinations of separations and reactions to produce gasoline components with oxygenates, such as alcohols. The syngas is preferably derived from biomass or another renewable carbon-containing feedstock, thereby providing a biorefining process for the production of renewable gasoline.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: Range Fuels, Inc.
    Inventors: Shakeel H. TIRMIZI, John D. Winter, David T. Gallaspy
  • Publication number: 20110107661
    Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing gasoline components from syngas. Syngas is converted to one or more of methanol, ethanol, mixed alcohols, and dimethyl ether, followed by various combinations of separations and reactions to produce gasoline components with oxygenates, such as alcohols. The syngas is preferably derived from biomass or another renewable carbon-containing feedstock, thereby providing a biorefining process for the production of renewable gasoline.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: Range Fuels, Inc.
    Inventors: Shakeel H. TIRMIZI, John D. WINTER, David T. GALLASPY
  • Publication number: 20110107663
    Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing gasoline components from syngas. Syngas is converted to one or more of methanol, ethanol, mixed alcohols, and dimethyl ether, followed by various combinations of separations and reactions to produce gasoline components with oxygenates, such as alcohols. The syngas is preferably derived from biomass or another renewable carbon-containing feedstock, thereby providing a biorefining process for the production of renewable gasoline.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: Range Fuels, Inc.
    Inventors: Shakeel H. TIRMIZI, John D. Winter, David T. Gallaspy
  • Patent number: 7923405
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for the chemical conversion of syngas to alcohols. The invention includes catalyst compositions, methods of making the catalyst compositions, and methods of using the catalyst compositions. Certain embodiments teach compositions for catalyzing the conversion of syngas into products comprising at least one C1-C4 alcohol, such as ethanol. These compositions generally include cobalt, molybdenum, and sulfur. Preferred catalyst compositions for converting syngas into alcohols include cobalt associated with sulfide in certain preferred stoichiometries as described and taught herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Range Fuels, Inc.
    Inventors: Karl Kharas, Jason P. Durand
  • Patent number: 7919070
    Abstract: The present invention provides improved methods and apparatus for producing syngas from any carbon-containing feed material. In one aspect, a multi-zone reformer system is provided. A first reaction zone can reduce the presence of refractory tars, while a second reaction zone in communication with the first reaction zone can steam-reform methane and other components from the first reaction zone, to generate high-quality syngas suitable for conversion to liquid fuels, such as ethanol. Other embodiments employ a plurality of reaction zones for added system functionality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Range Fuels, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald C. Stites, Kevin T. Biehle, Robert E. Klepper, Richard Ridley
  • Patent number: 7884253
    Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatus for selectively producing ethanol from syngas. As disclosed herein, syngas derived from cellulosic biomass (or other sources) can be catalytically converted into methanol, which in turn can be catalytically converted into acetic acid or acetates. Finally, the acetic acid or acetates can be reduced to ethanol according to several variations. In some embodiments, yields of ethanol from biomass can exceed 100 gallons per dry ton of biomass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Range Fuels, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald C. Stites, Jerrod Hohman
  • Publication number: 20100273899
    Abstract: The present invention provides several variations for converting biomass, and other carbon-containing feedstocks, into syngas. Some variations include pyrolyzing or torrefying biomass in a devolatilization unit to form a gas stream and char, and gasifying the char. Other variations include introducing biomass into a fluid-bed gasifier to generate a solid stream and a gas stream, followed by a partial-oxidation or reforming reactor to generate additional syngas from either, or both, of the solid or gas stream from the fluid-bed gasifier. Hot syngas is preferably subjected to heat recovery. The syngas produced by the disclosed methods may be used in any desired manner, such as conversion to liquid fuels (e.g., ethanol).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: Range Fuels, Inc.
    Inventor: John D. WINTER
  • Publication number: 20100270505
    Abstract: The present invention provides several variations for converting biomass, and other carbon-containing feedstocks, into syngas. Some variations include pyrolyzing or torrefying biomass in a devolatilization unit to form a gas stream and char, and gasifying the char. Other variations include introducing biomass into a fluid-bed gasifier to generate a solid stream and a gas stream, followed by a partial-oxidation or reforming reactor to generate additional syngas from either, or both, of the solid or gas stream from the fluid-bed gasifier. Hot syngas is preferably subjected to heat recovery. The syngas produced by the disclosed methods may be used in any desired manner, such as conversion to liquid fuels (e.g., ethanol).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: Range Fuels, Inc.
    Inventors: David Tracy Gallaspy, John D. Winter
  • Publication number: 20100212220
    Abstract: Improvements to biodiesel compositions, and methods for making those compositions more efficiently, are provided. Some variations of this invention provide processes for producing biodiesel and at least one C1-C4 alcohol, such as ethanol. Other variations provide certain biodiesel compositions containing C2+ alkyl esters. In some embodiments, biodiesel compositions are produced entirely from renewable resources.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicant: Range Fuels, Inc.
    Inventor: Shakeel H. TIRMIZI
  • Publication number: 20100210741
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for the chemical conversion of syngas to alcohols. The invention includes catalyst compositions, methods of making the catalysts, and methods of using the catalysts including techniques to maintain catalyst stability. Certain embodiments teach compositions for catalyzing the conversion of syngas into products comprising at least one C1-C4 alcohol, such as ethanol. These compositions generally include cobalt, molybdenum, and sulfur, and avoid metal carbides both initially and during reactor operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: Range Fuels, Inc.
    Inventor: Karl KHARAS