Res Usa, LLC

Mark K Robertson

Harold A Wright

Weibin Jiang

Eric R Elrod

Bruce E McComish

Benjamin H Carryer

Bryan C Borum

Mark D Ibsen

Sim Weeks

Herein disclosed is a method of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emission comprising introducing one or more feed streams into a reformer to generate synthesis gas; and converting synthesis gas to dimethyl ether (DME). In some cases, the reformer is a fluidized bed dry reforming reactor. In some cases, the reformer comprises a hydrogen membrane. In some cases, the hydrogen membrane removes hydrogen contained in the synthesis gas and shifts reforming reactions toward completion.

Reduction of greenhouse gas emission

A system for the production of synthesis gas, including a gasification apparatus configured to convert at least a portion of a gasifier feed material introduced thereto into a gasification product gas comprising synthesis gas having a molar ratio of hydrogen to carbon monoxide; at least one additional apparatus selected from the group consisting of feed preparation apparatus located upstream of the gasification apparatus, synthesis gas conditioning apparatus, and synthesis gas utilization apparatus; and at least one line fluidly connecting the at least one additional apparatus or an outlet of the gasification apparatus with the at least one vessel of the gasification apparatus, whereby a gas from the at least one additional apparatus or exiting the gasification apparatus may provide at least one non-steam component of a fluidization gas. A method of utilizing the system is also provided.

Gasifier fluidization

Herein disclosed is a method of producing dimethyl ether (DME) comprising introducing one or more feed streams comprising methane and carbon dioxide into a reformer to generate synthesis gas; and converting synthesis gas to DME in one step. In some cases, the reformer comprises a Ni catalyst. In some cases, the reformer is a pressurized fluidized bed dry reforming reactor. In some cases, the reformer comprises a hydrogen membrane. The hydrogen membrane removes hydrogen contained in the synthesis gas and shifts reforming reactions toward completion.

Conversion of methane to dimethyl ether

Herein disclosed is a dry reforming reactor comprising a gas inlet near the bottom of the reactor; a gas outlet near the top of the reactor; a fluidized bed comprising a catalyst; and one or more hydrogen membranes comprising palladium (Pd). In some cases, the one or more hydrogen membranes comprises Pd alloy membranes, or Pd supported on ceramics or metals. In some cases, the one or more hydrogen membranes are placed vertically in the reactor as hydrogen membrane tubes hanging from the top of the reactor. In some cases, the hydrogen membranes are configured to selectively collect hydrogen from the tubes via one or more internal manifolds and sent to an external hydrogen collection system.

Fluidized bed membrane reactor

A system configured for the production of at least one product selected from the group consisting of syngas, Fischer-Tropsch synthesis products, power, and chemicals, the system comprising a dual fluidized bed gasification apparatus and at least one apparatus selected from power production apparatus configured to produce power from the gasification product gas, partial oxidation reactors configured for oxidation of at least a portion of the product gas, tar removal apparatus configured to reduce the amount of tar in the product gas, Fischer-Tropsch synthesis apparatus configured to produce Fischer-Tropsch synthesis products from at least a portion of the product gas, chemical production apparatus configured for the production of at least one non-Fischer-Tropsch product from at least a portion of the product gas, and dual fluidized bed gasification units configured to alter the composition of the product gas. Methods of operating the system are also provided.

Gasification system and method

A method of gasification by introducing a feed material to be subjected to gasification into a dual fluidized bed gasifier comprising a pyrolyzer fluidly connected with a combustor such that a circulation stream comprising a heat transfer material can be continuously circulated between the pyrolyzer, in which the temperature of the circulation stream is reduced, and the combustor, in which the temperature of the circulation stream is increased, wherein the pyrolyzer is operable to convert at least a portion of the feed material into a gasifier product gas comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide, and wherein the combustor is operable to increase the temperature of the circulation stream via combustion of char introduced thereto with the circulation stream and at least one supplemental fuel. A system for carrying out the method is also provided.

Supplemental fuel to combustor of dual fluidized bed gasifier

A method including introducing a carbonaceous feedstock and a heated heat transfer material into a gasifier, whereby at least a portion of the carbonaceous material is pyrolyzed; removing a gasification product gas comprising, entrained therein, char, particulate heat transfer material, and optionally unreacted carbonaceous feedstock; separating a solids product comprising char, heat transfer material and optionally unreacted carbonaceous material from the gasification product gas; heating at least a portion of the solids product via a combustor, thus producing a heated portion of the solids product and a combustor flue gas, wherein a portion of the heat for heating is obtained via combustion of the char; separating the heated portion from the flue gas, and introducing the separated heated portion into the gasifier, providing heat for pyrolysis; and utilizing at least a portion of the gasification product gas for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis and/or power production.

A method of producing synthesis gas by introducing a feed material to be gasified into a gasification apparatus comprising at least one fluidized component operable as a fluidized bed, wherein the gasification apparatus is configured to convert at least a portion of the feed material into a gasifier product gas comprising synthesis gas; and maintaining fluidization of the at least one fluidized component by introducing a fluidization gas thereto, wherein the fluidization gas comprises at least one component other than steam. A system for producing synthesis gas is also provided.

A method for generation of power and Fischer-Tropsch synthesis products by producing synthesis gas comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide, producing Fischer-Tropsch synthesis products and Fischer-Tropsch tailgas from a first portion of the synthesis gas, and generating power from a second portion of the synthesis gas, from at least a portion of the Fischer-Tropsch tailgas, or from both. The method may also comprise conditioning at least a portion of the synthesis gas and/or upgrading at least a portion of the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis products. A system for carrying out the method is also provided.

Growing community of inventors

Denver, CO, United States of America

Mark K Robertson