The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 30, 2010
Filed:
Oct. 02, 2007
Delman R. Hogen, Spring Lake Park, MN (US);
Jeffrey W. Lighthart, Minnetonka, MN (US);
Hugh Mctavish, Birchwood, MN (US);
John D. Offerman, Orono, MN (US);
Delman R. Hogen, Spring Lake Park, MN (US);
Jeffrey W. Lighthart, Minnetonka, MN (US);
Hugh McTavish, Birchwood, MN (US);
John D. Offerman, Orono, MN (US);
Novus Energy, LLC, Minnetonka, MN (US);
Abstract
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.