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:
Jun. 12, 2012
Filed:
Mar. 05, 2008
John D. Offerman, Orono, MN (US);
John D. Offerman, Orono, MN (US);
Other;
Abstract
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.