Method And System For The Transformation Of Molecules, This Process Being Used To Transform Harmful And Useless Waste Into Useful Substances And Energy

• US 20080166273A1
• Filed: 01/04/2007
• Published: 07/10/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/04/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Andrew E. Day
• Original Assignee: Andrew E. Day
• Inventors: Day, Andrew E.
• Application Number:
  US11/620,018
• Publication Number:
  US 20080166273A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 422/174
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2251/95 Specific microorganisms
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2257/504 Carbon dioxide
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/84 Biological processes
• 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 2203/044 Selective oxidation of carbon monoxide
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 2203/047 the impurity being carbon monoxide
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 2203/0861 by plasma
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 2203/84 Energy production
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 3/342 with the aid of electrical means, electromagnetic or mechanical vibrations, or particle radiations
• 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 2300/1671 with the production of electricity
• 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 2300/1696 with phase separation, e.g. after condensation
• CPC Class Codes: C10J 2300/1892 with one stream being water/steam
• CPC Class Codes: C10J 3/00 Production of combustible gases containing carbon monoxide from solid carbonaceous fuels destructive distillation processes C10B
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 1/12 : Unicellular algae; Culture media therefor as new plants A01H13/00
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 43/08 : Plants characterised by the engines using gaseous fuel generated in the plant from solid fuel, e.g. wood
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 50/20 : Air quality improvement or preservation, e.g. vehicle emission control or emission reduction by using catalytic converters
• CPC Class Codes: Y02C 20/20 : of methane
• CPC Class Codes: Y02C 20/40 : of CO2
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 20/18 : Integrated gasification combined cycle [IGCC], e.g. combined with carbon capture and storage [CCS]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 50/30 : Fuel from waste, e.g. synthetic alcohol or diesel
• 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 20/151 : Reduction of greenhouse gas [GHG] emissions, e.g. CO2
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 20/59 : Biological synthesis; Biological purification
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/12 : Improving ICE efficiencies
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/30 : Use of alternative fuels, e.g. biofuels

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 converter. This uses an electric arc in ionized gas to generate ultra high temperatures, which breaks down the feedstock into its basic elements, predominantly hydrogen and carbon monoxide (known as syngas). They can be further processed to yield additional hydrogen using an exothermal water shift reaction, or energy by using combustion. This transforms carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide. Unsaved hydrogen is turned into steam. Flow then continues in the carbon loop to an algae bioreactor. Here photosynthesis of algae transforms the carbon dioxide to become part of an oil rich carbohydrate. This can either continue to the next loop as feedstock, and/or exit the loop, and be used to manufacture biofuels or other substances, new feedstock being added to replace the exiting carbon.

Claims

1. A method and system for controlling an electric generating system using Carbohydrates/Hydrocarbons from landfills or sewage systems or other feedstocks,

2. A method and system for controlling an electric generating system while emitting low carbon dioxide (CO₂) greenhouse gasses (GHG)

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

4. A method and system for controlling an electric generating system while simultaneously removing carbon dioxide (CO₂) greenhouse gasses (GHG) from adjacent fossil fuel power station chimneys or other industrial facilities.

5. A method and system for controlling an electric generating system to eliminate landfills, sewage, and hydrocarbon/carbohydrate or other feedstock without generating toxic waste. This elimination will also avoid methane being released into the atmosphere, which if from an adjacent landfill or other source could be fed into the Plasma Reactor as a feed stock.

6. A method and system for controlling an electric generating system which retains precious metals, silica and other solids found in the feedstock, for further use

7. A method and system for controlling an electric generating system which recovers energy from waste heat to provide additional electric power generation or thermal energy for other purposes.

8. Variations on the basic design shown in FIG. 1. These will adapt the system to specific system requirements, and are shown on FIGS. 2 through 6. They including producing both electricity and hydrogen, electricity only, and hydrogen only. The omission of feature will impact flexibility, design complexity, and operating cost.