Other

Hydochar LLC

Marc Von Keitz

Steven M Heilmann

Kenneth J Valentas

Frederick J Schendel

Michael J Sadowsky

Lindsey R Jader

Brandon M Wood

Paul A Lefebvre

The present invention concerns a process for producing synthetic coal and aqueous liquid plant fertilizing solution products from a fermentation residue such as is left over from the corn based process of producing ethanol. The synthetic coal has a high heat value commensurate with naturally occurring coals and is lower in ash and sulfur content and thus has value as a clean burning energy source. The aqueous fertilizer includes commercially useful amounts of phosphorous, potassium and nitrogen in solution. The process of the invention is also energy efficient in that the products produced thereby involve the use of substantially less energy as compared to the traditional methods of processing fermentation residues in the corn based ethanol production industry.

Methods of producing coal and fertilizers from fermentation residues

Algae-derived synthetic coal and filtrates. The invention described herein provides an algae-derived synthetic coal product and filtrates and process for preparing the same using an improved hydrothermal carbonization process. The synthetic coal product is similar to natural bituminous coal in terms of percent carbon content and energy equivalency while at the same time containing relatively low levels of sulfur and contaminant heavy metals. Unlike natural coal and other fossil fuels, because the carbon of the biomass is formed through photosynthesis, carbon dioxide formed during combustion is a 'carbon neutral' event with little or no 'new' carbon dioxide being added to the earth's atmosphere. The algae-derived filtrates contain useful constituents.

Algal coal and process for preparing same

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Minneapolis, MN, United States of America

Marc Von Keitz