Enerkem, Inc.

Université De Sherbrooke

Fractal Systems, Inc.

Kemestrie Inc.

Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, As Represented by the Minister

Canadian Patents and Development Limited/societe Canadienne Des Brevets

Florasynth, Inc.

University of Sherbrooke

Crb Innovations, Inc.

Esteban Chornet

Stephane Marie-Rose

Boris Valsecchi

Michel Chornet

Martin Gagnon

Betty Nguyen

Jean-Michel Lavoie

Paul Jollez

Severian Dumitriu

Natalia Semagina

Allen Artur Carl Reule

Jean-Claude Cavalier

Ralph P Overend

Yasmin Avila

Antonin Paquet

Anthony S Carbone

David G Lynch

Nicolas Abatzoglou

Guillaume Drolet

Charles Bureau

Denis Ngoy Bangala

Paulo G Koeberle

Ralph Overend

Line Jaulin

Alexis Lemieux Périnet

Pierre Vidal

Raoul Arsenault

Michel Trottier

Sébastien Rheault

Jean-Pierre Lemonnier

Amitabha Chakma

William H Dawson

Jacques Bureau

Aca Mincic

Sylvain Cloutier

Michael Chornet

Allen Artur Reule

Alexis Lemieux Perinet

A catalyst for the carbonylation of dimethyl ether to methyl acetate. The catalyst comprises a zeolite, such as a mordenite zeolite, at least one Group IB metal, such as copper, and/or at least one Group VIII metal, such as iron, and at least one Group IIB metal, such as zinc. Such a catalyst with combined metals provides enhanced catalytic activity, improved stability, and improved selectivity to methyl acetate, and does not require a halogen promoter, as compared to a metal-free or copper only zeolite.

Metal-loaded zeolite catalysts for the halogen-free conversion of dimethyl ether to methyl acetate

A process for producing acrylic acid from carbonaceous materials such as biomass. The carbonaceous material, such as biomass, is gasified to produce synthesis gas. The synthesis gas then is subjected to a plurality of reactions to produce acrylic acid.

Production of acrylic acid and ethanol from carbonaceous materials

A process for producing at least one acetate from acetic acid and at least one alcohol by employing multiple cycles of reacting acetic acid to produce a reaction product including at least one acetate, unreacted acetic acid, unreacted alcohol, and water, followed by drying the reaction product to remove water therefrom. Such process provides for improved yields of acetate.

Production of acetates from acetic acid and alcohols

A process for producing ethanol from synthesis gas by reacting the hydrogen and carbon monoxide of the synthesis gas to provide methanol, which then is subjected to dehydration to produce at least one ether, such as dimethyl ether. The ether, such as dimethyl ether, then is subjected to carbonylation with unreacted carbon monoxide from the synthesis gas to provide at least one acetate, such as methyl acetate. The acetate then is subjected to hydrogenolysis to produce ethanol.

Production of ethanol from synthesis gas

A process for producing alcohols from carbonaceous materials such as biomass. The carbonaceous material, such as biomass, is gasified to produce synthesis gas. The synthesis gas then is subjected to a plurality of reactions to produce alcohols having at least four carbon atoms such as butanol and isobutanol.

Production of alcohols having at least four carbon atoms from carbonaceous materials

A process for producing alcohols having three carbon atoms from carbonaceous materials such as biomass. The carbonaceous material, such as biomass, is gasified to produce synthesis gas. The synthesis gas then is subjected to a plurality of reactions to produce alcohols such as n-propanol and isopropanol.

Production of alcohols having three carbon atoms from carbonaceous materials

A method of producing at least one oxygenated compound, such as methyl acetate, dimethyl ether, and formaldehyde, by reacting dimethyl carbonate and carbon monoxide in the presence of a faujasite zeolite, zeolite Beta, Linde Type L (LTL) zeolite, or MCM-41 zeolite.

Production of oxygenated compounds from carbon monoxide and dimethyl carbonate

A process for treating a heavy oil which comprises subjecting a heavy oil to cavitation to reduce the viscosity of the heavy oil. The treated heavy oil, which has a reduced viscosity and specific gravity, thus is more pumpable and transportable, which facilitates further processing. The treated heavy oil also can be fractionated with less severity than untreated heavy oil.

Process for treating heavy oils

Processes for producing synthesis gas from biomass in which char particles, which are formed during the production of synthesis gas from biomass, are employed as catalysts. The char particles may be used as catalysts in a gasifier or in a thermal reformer, whereby gaseous components, formed as a result of the gasification of the biomass, such as methane, light alkyl and aromatic compounds, and phenolics, as well as tar, may be reformed and/or converted into synthesis gas.

Use of char particles in the production of synthesis gas and in hydrocarbon reforming

A process for producing synthesis gas, or syngas, from biomass. The process comprises contacting biomass with oxygen, or oxygen and steam, in an amount effective to oxidize the biomass and to heat the biomass to a temperature to no greater than 750&#xb0; C. At least one combustible material also is contacted with oxygen and steam to heat the at least one combustible material to a temperature of at least 1,100&#xb0; C., to provide a hot gas derived from the oxidized combustible material. The latter maybe residual products derived from the process itself as char, tar, or hydrocarbons. The oxidized biomass then is contacted with the hot flue gas to heat the biomass to a temperature of at least 900&#xb0; C., thereby producing synthesis gas. The synthesis gas then is recovered. Such process provides a method of providing heat for producing synthesis gas without consuming a portion of the synthesis gas to provide such heat, thereby providing an increased yield of synthesis gas.

Production of synthesis gas by heating oxidized biomass with a hot gas obtained from oxidation of residual products

A process for converting methanol to ethanol which comprises reacting methanol and carbon monoxide in the presence of a catalyst to produce a product comprising at least 25 mole % methyl acetate and, in some instances, acetic acid. The acetic acid then is reacted with at least one alcohol to produce at least one acetate selected from methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, and butyl acetate. The at least one acetate (if produced) and the methyl acetate produced as a result of reacting methanol and carbon monoxide then are hydrogenated to produce ethanol. Syngas may be produced from biomass to produce all or a portion of the methanol, hydrogen, and carbon monoxide requirements for the process.

Production of ethanol from methanol

A process for producing synthesis gas from biomass in which biomass is contacted with oxygen and steam, wherein the oxygen is present in an amount effective to oxidize the biomass partially and to heat the biomass to a temperature of at least 500&#xb0; C. and no greater than 750&#xb0; C. At least a portion of the partially oxidized biomass then is treated with oxygen and steam to heat the biomass to a temperature of at least 800&#xb0; C., thereby producing a synthesis gas, which then is recovered.

Production of synthesis gas through controlled oxidation of biomass

A method of producing and treating synthesis gas in which a biomass-rich material is gasified in a gasifier containing a fluidized bed at a temperature that does not exceed 750&#xb0; C. to produce a crude synthesis gas product. The crude synthesis gas then is quenched, scrubbed, and then subjected to at least one adsorption step to provide a clean synthesis gas. The clean synthesis gas then may be reformed catalytically to provide a synthesis gas with a desired H:CO ratio, and/or may be employed in the synthesis of desired chemicals.

Production and conditioning of synthesis gas obtained from biomass

Growing community of inventors

Sherbrooke, Canada

Esteban Chornet