Abstract: Methods and apparatus for producing alcohols from syngas are disclosed herein. In some variations, syngas is catalytically converted to alcohols. The alcohols can be subjected to drying to produce an intermediate alcohol product, followed by distilling the intermediate product to produce a purified ethanol product for use in liquid fuels.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods to maintain selectivity to ethanol from syngas during mixed-alcohol synthesis when methanol is being recycled. In some variations, syngas is fed to an alcohol-synthesis reactor that contains a sulfided metal catalyst, and methanol is separated from ethanol to form a methanol recycle stream that contains sulfur-containing compounds. Recycling the methanol stream back to the alcohol-synthesis reactor allows for adding sulfur to, or reducing sulfur loss from, the sulfided metal catalyst. Optionally, additional sulfur compounds may be introduced to maintain sulfur levels in sulfided metal catalysts. Preferred sulfiding agents, concentrations, and recycle strategies are disclosed herein.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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, a catalyst is derived from the ash content of the feed material, and this catalyst is used to enhance syngas formation. The syngas can be converted to alcohols, such as ethanol, or to other products.

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.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for producing alcohols from syngas are disclosed herein. In some variations, syngas is catalytically converted to alcohols. The alcohols can be subjected to drying to produce an intermediate alcohol product, followed by distilling the intermediate product to produce a purified ethanol product for use in liquid fuels.

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.

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. Some variations employ eductors for facilitating flow of solid and gas phases in the processes of the invention. The syngas can be converted to alcohols, such as ethanol, or to other products.