Houston Industries Incorporated

Reliant Energy Incorporated

Ernest E Kern

Donald L Wise

William Meredith Menger

Alfred P Leuschner

O C Karkalits

Debra J Trantolo

David A Odelson

Anthony S Sinskey

Hans E Grethlein

Kermit Allen

David Odelson

Lignite is treated with ligninase source to enhance its reactivity. In one embodiment, lignite is gasified in a subterranean reactor by simultaneous digestion by anaerobic ligninase producers, such as termite microflora, and acid formers and methanogens. In another embodiment, the lignite is treated with ligninase prior to digestion by the acid formers and methanogens. If desired, the lignite may be pretreated by alkaline hydrolysis.

Microbial process for producing methane from coal

Coal is desulfurized by oxidation to convert organic sulfur moieties in the coal matrix to sulfates, and by treatment with a sulfatase to cleave the sulfates and thereby remove organic sulfur.

Enzymatic coal desulfurization

A method for carrying out a biochemical reaction with a culture of microorganisms is performed in a cavity formed in a subterranean formation to produce combustible hydrocarbon gases. The method is especially suitable for the conversion of alkali-oxidized or hydrolyzed coal, such as lignite, to methane. The method may be performed in the cavity as a continuously stirred tank reaction, or plug flow or as a staged reaction. The method may also be done as an anaerobic fixed film process using particles as an anaerobic filter, as a sludge blanket, or as an expanded bed process.

Biochemically reacting substrates in subterranean cavities

Growing community of inventors

Houston, TX, United States of America

Ernest E Kern