Other

Novus Energy LLC

John D Offerman

Hugh McTavish

Delman R Hogen

Jeffrey W Lighthart

The invention uses evaporites, e.g., from dried prehistoric lake beds to sequester carbon. The invention provides a method of sequestering carbon comprising: (a) dissolving crude naturally formed evaporites in water to form dissolved evaporite cations and anions; (b) contacting aqueous dissolved carbonate or bicarbonate, formed by dissolving carbon dioxide in water, with the dissolved evaporite cations to form precipitated carbonate mineral; and (c) sequestering the precipitated carbonate or bicarbonate mineral.

Evaporite method to sequester carbon dioxide

The invention provides methods for producing methanol, higher alcohols (containing 2 or more carbons), in particular ethanol, or diesel fuel from biological wastes such as manure, sewage, and crop wastes, as well as from other organic materials. In the methods, organic material is first fermented by anaerobic microorganisms to a biogas consisting primarily of methane and carbon dioxide. The biogas is then converted to synthesis gas consisting primarily of CO and H. The synthesis gas is then contacted with a liquid fuel production catalyst to synthesize higher alcohols or other liquid fuels. The invention involves converting COin the biogas to synthesis gas by combining a COreforming reaction with steam reforming or partial oxidation to convert the biogas to synthesis gas. The invention also provides methods involving recirculating COfrom the output of the liquid fuel production reaction to one or more of the fermentation reaction, the COreforming reaction, or the liquid fuel production reaction.

Efficient use of biogas carbon dioxide in liquid fuel synthesis

The invention provides a method to decrease emission of carbon dioxide from combustion of fossil fuels or other hydrocarbons and to enhance the efficiency of methane production from anaerobic biodigesters. The invention involves feeding carbon dioxide from the exhaust gas of hydrocarbon fuel combustion to an anaerobic biodigester where biomass is anaerobically fermented to produce methane. Carbon dioxide is an electron acceptor for anaerobic fermentation, and thus some of the carbon dioxide is reduced to methane, which can again be used for fuel. In this way, at least a portion of the exhaust gas COis recycled to form fuel methane instead of being released into the atmosphere. Thus, the net COemission from burning a given amount of fossil fuel is decreased. Adding carbon dioxide to an anaerobic fermentation also increases the efficiency and amount of methane production in the fermentation.

Bio-recycling of carbon dioxide emitted from power plants

The invention provides methods, apparatuses, and kits for producing ethanol and other alcohols. The methods involve fermenting organic material in a fermentation mixture to a biogas comprising methane; converting at least a portion of the biogas to synthesis gas comprising CO and H; and contacting at least a portion of the synthesis gas with a catalyst to produce alcohol. In some embodiments, a microorganism that reduces ferric iron to ferrous iron is included in the fermentation mixture to enhance the efficiency of the fermentation and the yield of alcohol. The invention also provides a method of producing alcohol involving fermenting organic material to a biogas comprising methane; removing sulfhydryls from the biogas; converting at least a portion of the biogas to synthesis gas comprising CO and H; contacting at least a portion of the synthesis gas with a sulfur-free catalyst to produce a substantially sulfur-free alcohol; and purifying the alcohol wherein the purified alcohol is substantially sulfur-free and comprises less than 5% methanol and at least 70% C+ alcohols by weight.

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Orono, MN, United States of America

John D Offerman