Patents by Inventor David C. ALDOUS

David C. ALDOUS has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR RECYCLING TAIL GAS IN SYNGAS FERMENTATION TO ETHANOL
    Publication number: 20200156002
    Abstract: The invention present provides a method (and suitable apparatus) to convert biomass to ethanol, comprising gasifying the biomass to produce raw syngas; feeding the raw syngas to an acid-gas removal unit to remove at least some CO2 and produce a conditioned syngas stream; feeding the conditioned syngas stream to a fermentor to biologically convert the syngas to ethanol; capturing a tail gas from an exit of the fermentor, wherein the tail gas comprises at least CO2 and unconverted CO or H2; and recycling a first portion of the tail gas to the fermentor and/or a second portion of the tail gas to the acid-gas removal unit. This invention allows for increased syngas conversion to ethanol, improved process efficiency, and better overall biorefinery economics for conversion of biomass to ethanol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Publication date: May 21, 2020
    Inventor: David C. ALDOUS
  • Methods and apparatus for recycling tail gas in syngas fermentation to ethanol
    Patent number: 10603632
    Abstract: The invention present provides a method (and suitable apparatus) to convert biomass to ethanol, comprising gasifying the biomass to produce raw syngas; feeding the raw syngas to an acid-gas removal unit to remove at least some CO2 and produce a conditioned syngas stream; feeding the conditioned syngas stream to a fermentor to biologically convert the syngas to ethanol; capturing a tail gas from an exit of the fermentor, wherein the tail gas comprises at least CO2 and unconverted CO or H2; and recycling a first portion of the tail gas to the fermentor and/or a second portion of the tail gas to the acid-gas removal unit. This invention allows for increased syngas conversion to ethanol, improved process efficiency, and better overall biorefinery economics for conversion of biomass to ethanol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Inventor: David C. Aldous
  • METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR RECYCLING TAIL GAS IN SYNGAS FERMENTATION TO ETHANOL
    Publication number: 20180141000
    Abstract: The invention present provides a method (and suitable apparatus) to convert biomass to ethanol, comprising gasifying the biomass to produce raw syngas; feeding the raw syngas to an acid-gas removal unit to remove at least some CO2 and produce a conditioned syngas stream; feeding the conditioned syngas stream to a fermentor to biologically convert the syngas to ethanol; capturing a tail gas from an exit of the fermentor, wherein the tail gas comprises at least CO2 and unconverted CO or H2; and recycling a first portion of the tail gas to the fermentor and/or a second portion of the tail gas to the acid-gas removal unit. This invention allows for increased syngas conversion to ethanol, improved process efficiency, and better overall biorefinery economics for conversion of biomass to ethanol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2018
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Inventor: David C. ALDOUS