Method and system for the transformation of molecules, this process being used to transform waste into useful substances and energy

• US 20080166265A1
• Filed: 01/10/2007
• Published: 07/10/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/10/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Andrew Eric Day
• Original Assignee: Andrew Eric Day
• Inventors: Day, Andrew Eric
• Application Number:
  US11/621,801
• Publication Number:
  US 20080166265A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 422/30
• CPC Class Codes: B09B 3/00 Destroying solid waste or transforming solid waste into something useful or harmless
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 2203/0283 containing a CO-shift step, i.e. a water gas shift step
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 2203/0405 Purification by membrane separation
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 2203/047 the impurity being carbon monoxide
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 2203/84 Energy production
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 2203/86 Carbon dioxide sequestration
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 3/045 in gaseous phase
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 3/12 by reaction of water vapour with carbon monoxide
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 3/501 by diffusion
• CPC Class Codes: C10J 2300/0916 Biomass
• CPC Class Codes: C10J 2300/0923 Sludge, e.g. from water treatment plant
• CPC Class Codes: C10J 2300/0946 Waste, e.g. MSW, tires, glass, tar sand, peat, paper, lignite, oil shale
• CPC Class Codes: C10J 2300/1238 by plasma
• CPC Class Codes: C10J 2300/165 integrated with a gas turbine or gas motor gas turbine plants provided with a gas producer F02C3/28; engines using solid fuels F02B43/08
• CPC Class Codes: C10J 2300/1671 with the production of electricity
• CPC Class Codes: C10J 2300/1675 making use of a steam turbine
• CPC Class Codes: C10J 2300/1681 with biological plants, e.g. involving bacteria, algae, fungi
• CPC Class Codes: C10J 2300/1693 with storage facilities for intermediate, feed and/or product
• CPC Class Codes: C10J 3/00 Production of combustible gases containing carbon monoxide from solid carbonaceous fuels destructive distillation processes C10B
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 21/02 Photobioreactors culturing algae A01G33/00, A01H4/001, C12N1/12
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 29/24 : Recirculation of gas
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 43/04 : Bioreactors or fermenters combined with combustion devices or plants, e.g. for carbon dioxide removal C12M43/06 takes precedence; recovery of carbon dioxide C12F3/02
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 43/06 : Photobioreactors combined with devices or plants for gas production different from a bioreactor of fermenter
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 43/08 : Bioreactors or fermenters combined with devices or plants for production of electricity
• CPC Class Codes: F23G 2900/50208 : Biologic treatment before burning, e.g. biogas generation
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 20/18 : Integrated gasification combined cycle [IGCC], e.g. combined with carbon capture and storage [CCS]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/36 : Hydrogen production from non-carbon containing sources, e.g. by water electrolysis
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 20/129 : Energy recovery, e.g. by cogeneration, H2recovery or pressure recovery turbines
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 20/145 : the feedstock being materials of biological origin
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 30/00 : Technologies relating to oil refining and petrochemical industry

Abstract

The system is based on a recirculating Carbon Flow Loop, within which toxins in municipal waste or other feedstock are neutralized in a plasma reactor, by using an electric arc in ionized gas to generate ultra high temperatures. This breaks down substances into their basic molecules, and transforms the feedstock into syngas (which is comprised predominantly of hydrogen and carbon monoxide). This can be processed by a water shift reactor, an engine driven electric generator or another exothermic device where carbon monoxide is transformed into carbon dioxide. This continues flowing in the carbon loop to an Algae Bioreactor. Here photosynthesis of the algae transforms the carbon dioxide to become part of an oil rich carbohydrate. This can either continue to the next stage as feedstock and recirculate again around the Carbon Loop and/or exit, and be used to manufacture biofuel or other substances.

Claims

1. A method and system to generate electricity and/or produce hydrogen gas using carbohydrate and/or hydrocarbon, sewage systems, or other feedstocks, while neutralizing all toxins in the feedstock.

2. A method and system to generate electricity and/or produce hydrogen gas with a targeted up to 80% reduction in carbon dioxide greenhouse emissions.

3. A method and system for controlling an electric generating system for continuous power generation. Peak power output occurring during daytime hours.

4. A method and system for avoiding methane emissions from landfills or other sources as a feedstock, by feeding them directly into the plasma reactor.

5. A method and system to provide a means of gathering, transporting and harvesting hydrogen

6. A method and system to provide a recirculating source of hot steam for use in the gasification combined cycle unit.

7. A method and system to generate electricity and/or produce hydrogen gas by the use of recovered energy from waste heat.

8. Ways to adapting the base design as shown in FIG. 1, to suit specific system requirements and needs, these are shown on FIGS. 2 through 6. They including producing, both electricity and hydrogen, electricity only, hydrogen only, and using a syngas engine.