| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
