RANGE FUELS, INC. Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20120083406 | CATALYST COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR ALCOHOL PRODUCTION FROM SYNTHESIS GAS - In one aspect of this invention, catalytic compositions produced by calcining intermediates of the formula [NR | 04-05-2012 |
20110160317 | COBALT-MOLYBDENUM SULFIDE CATALYST MATERIALS AND METHODS FOR ETHANOL PRODUCTION FROM SYNGAS - 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 C | 06-30-2011 |
20110155958 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR DRYING AND GASIFICATION OF BIOMASS - 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. | 06-30-2011 |
20110150722 | MULTI-ZONE REFORMING METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR CONVERSION OF DEVOLATILIZED BIOMASS TO SYNGAS - 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. | 06-23-2011 |
20110124927 | SELECTIVE PROCESS FOR CONVERSION OF SYNGAS TO ETHANOL - 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. | 05-26-2011 |
20110107663 | PROCESS FOR PRODUCING RENEWABLE GASOLINE, AND FUEL COMPOSITIONS PRODUCED THEREFROM - 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. | 05-12-2011 |
20110107662 | PROCESS FOR PRODUCING RENEWABLE GASOLINE, AND FUEL COMPOSITIONS PRODUCED THEREFROM - 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. | 05-12-2011 |
20110107661 | PROCESS FOR PRODUCING RENEWABLE GASOLINE, AND FUEL COMPOSITIONS PRODUCED THEREFROM - 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. | 05-12-2011 |
20100331581 | METHODS OF MAKING IMPROVED COBALT-MOLYBDENUM-SULFIDE CATALYST COMPOSITIONS FOR HIGHER ALCOHOL SYNTHESIS - This invention improves prior methods of making cobalt-molybdenum-sulfide catalysts for alcohol production from syngas. In one aspect, improved methods are provided for making preferred cobalt-molybdenum-sulfide compositions. In another aspect, processes utilizing these catalysts for producing at least one C | 12-30-2010 |
20100280287 | COBALT-MOLYBDENUM SULFIDE CATALYST MATERIALS AND METHODS FOR STABLE ALCOHOL PRODUCTION FROM SYNGAS - 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 C | 11-04-2010 |
20100273899 | INTEGRATED, HIGH-EFFICIENCY PROCESSES FOR BIOMASS CONVERSION TO SYNTHESIS GAS - 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). | 10-28-2010 |
20100270505 | INTEGRATED, HIGH-EFFICIENCY PROCESSES FOR BIOMASS CONVERSION TO SYNTHESIS GAS - 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). | 10-28-2010 |
20100212220 | PROCESS FOR COMBINED BIODIESEL AND ALCOHOL PRODUCTION, AND FUEL COMPOSITIONS PRODUCED THEREFROM - 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 C | 08-26-2010 |
20100210741 | COBALT-MOLYBDENUM SULFIDE CATALYST MATERIALS AND METHODS FOR STABLE ALCOHOL PRODUCTION FROM SYNGAS - 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 C | 08-19-2010 |
20100152498 | METHODS FOR IMPROVING SYNGAS-TO-ETHANOL CATALYST SELECTIVITY - The present invention provides methods to increase yields and selectivities to particular alcohols, such as ethanol, during alcohol synthesis from syngas. In some embodiments, a starting catalyst can be activated by contacting with a gas stream under certain preferred activation temperatures, pressures, and compositions. | 06-17-2010 |
20100152497 | METHODS FOR PROMOTING SYNGAS-TO-ALCOHOL CATALYSIS - Improved methods of introducing promoters to catalysts are described. The present invention provides a convenient method of uniformly distributing a catalyst promoter, to provide for intimate contact between the promoter and the active catalyst sites. This intimate contact can enhance the activity and/or product selectivity of the promoted catalyst. In some embodiments, the method includes reacting an alkali metal with an alcohol in a non-aqueous medium, contacting the resulting solution with a starting catalyst, and depositing the alkali metal onto the starting catalyst to form an alkali-promoted catalyst. | 06-17-2010 |
20100137459 | MULTI-ZONE REFORMING METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR CONVERSION OF DEVOLATILIZED BIOMASS TO SYNGAS - 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. | 06-03-2010 |
20100099926 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR SYNTHESIS OF ALCOHOLS FROM SYNGAS - This invention provides a method for producing ethanol and 2-propanol from syngas, the method comprising: (a) converting syngas into methanol using a methanol-synthesis catalyst; (b) converting methanol into ethylene and propylene using a methanol-to-olefins catalyst; and (c) hydrating ethylene into ethanol and propylene into 2-propanol. As taught herein, the combined yield of the ethanol and the 2-propanol from biomass can be at least 100 gallons per dry ton biomass. In certain embodiments, the yield of ethanol is at least 100 gallons per dry ton biomass. In some embodiments, the yield of 2-propanol is at least 50 gallons per dry ton biomass. | 04-22-2010 |
20100099925 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR SYNTHESIS OF ALCOHOLS FROM SYNGAS - This invention provides a method for producing ethanol and 2-propanol from syngas, the method comprising: (a) converting syngas into methanol using a methanol-synthesis catalyst; (b) converting methanol into ethylene and propylene using a methanol-to-olefins catalyst; and (c) hydrating ethylene into ethanol and propylene into 2-propanol. As taught herein, the combined yield of the ethanol and the 2-propanol from biomass can be at least 100 gallons per dry ton biomass. In certain embodiments, the yield of ethanol is at least 100 gallons per dry ton biomass. In some embodiments, the yield of 2-propanol is at least 50 gallons per dry ton biomass. | 04-22-2010 |
20100076228 | METHODS FOR IMPROVING SYNGAS-TO-ALCOHOL CATALYST ACTIVITY AND SELECTIVITY - The invention herein provides methods of activating a catalyst composition. These methods include annealing a catalyst with an inert gas, under effective conditions, and then contacting the annealed catalyst with syngas to produce an activated catalyst. These steps can also be reversed. The activated catalysts can be employed to convert syngas into products, such as alcohols, with improved selectivities and yields. | 03-25-2010 |
20100075837 | METHODS FOR PROMOTING SYNGAS-TO-ALCOHOL CATALYSTS - 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. | 03-25-2010 |
20100022806 | METHODS FOR DISPERSAL OF CATALYST PROMOTERS - The present invention describes improved methods of introducing promoters to catalysts. This invention provides a method for dispersal of a promoter onto a solid surface. A catalyst material and a deliquescent material can together be contacted with a gas phase comprising a solvent under conditions effective for deliquescence whereby the promoter is dispersed onto the solid surface. This invention combines practical benefits of dry-mixing with the enhanced dispersion that can be realized by solvent-based methods. | 01-28-2010 |
20090318573 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR SELECTIVELY PRODUCING ETHANOL FROM SYNTHESIS GAS - 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. | 12-24-2009 |
20090156697 | CATALYST COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR ALCOHOL PRODUCTION FROM SYNTHESIS GAS - In one aspect of this invention, catalytic compositions produced by calcining intermediates of the formula [NR | 06-18-2009 |
20090156393 | CATALYST COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR ALCOHOL PRODUCTION FROM SYNTHESIS GAS - In one aspect of this invention, catalytic compositions produced by calcining intermediates of the formula [NR | 06-18-2009 |
20090156392 | CATALYST COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR ALCOHOL PRODUCTION FROM SYNTHESIS GAS - In one aspect of this invention, catalytic compositions produced by calcining intermediates of the formula [NR | 06-18-2009 |
20090149558 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR CONTINUOUS REMOVAL OF CARBON DIOXIDE FROM A MIXTURE OF REACTING GASES - The disclosed invention provides methods and apparatus for producing one or more C | 06-11-2009 |
20090093555 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING SYNGAS - 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. | 04-09-2009 |
20090069609 | COBALT-MOLYBDENUM SULFIDE CATALYST MATERIALS AND METHODS FOR ETHANOL PRODUCTION FROM SYNGAS - 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 C | 03-12-2009 |
20090069452 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING ETHANOL FROM SYNGAS WITH HIGH CARBON EFFICIENCY - The present invention discloses and teaches new methods of converting syngas into ethanol and/or other higher alcohols. Preferred embodiments recycle methanol, partially convert it to syngas, and then convert this additional syngas also to C | 03-12-2009 |
20090018372 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING ALCOHOLS FROM SYNGAS - 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. | 01-15-2009 |
20090018371 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING ALCOHOLS FROM SYNGAS - Methods and apparatus for producing alcohols from syngas are disclosed herein. In some variations, syngas is catalytically converted to methanol in a first reaction zone, and residual syngas from the first reaction zone is then catalytically converted to ethanol in a second reaction zone. Also, in some variations, syngas is catalytically converted to methanol in high yield in a first reaction zone, and the methanol is then converted (optionally, with additional syngas) to ethanol in a second reaction zone. | 01-15-2009 |
20090018222 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING SYNGAS - 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. | 01-15-2009 |
20090018221 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING SYNGAS AND ALCOHOLS - 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. | 01-15-2009 |
20090014689 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING SYNGAS AND ALCOHOLS - 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. | 01-15-2009 |
20090013601 | MODULAR AND DISTRIBUTED METHODS AND SYSTEMS TO CONVERT BIOMASS TO SYNGAS - 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. | 01-15-2009 |