METHOD OF SEPARATING COMPONENTS FROM A GAS STREAM

• US 20110290114A1
• Filed: 06/01/2010
• Published: 12/01/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MBI International
• Original Assignee: MBI International
• Inventors: Jones, David K., Campbell, Timothy J., Teymouri, Farzaneh
• Granted Patent: US 8,394,177 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 95/148
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/84 Biological processes
• CPC Class Codes: C12P 2201/00 Pretreatment of cellulosic or lignocellulosic material for subsequent enzymatic treatment or hydrolysis
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 50/20 Air quality improvement or preservation, e.g. vehicle emission control or emission reduction by using catalytic converters

Abstract

This invention provides methods for separating gas components from a gas stream. The methods are particularly advantageous in that an environmentally friendly biomass absorbent is used to assist in the separation process. The invention is particularly suited to separate water soluble gas components from a gas stream. The water soluble gas components can be used to condition the biomass for additional use, such as a conditioned feed for a biofuel. In general, the conditioned biomass will have increased enzyme digestibility, making the conditioned biomass highly suitable as feedstock for biofuel production.

Claims

1. A method of separating at least one gas component from a gas stream, comprising:

flowing a feed gas stream comprised of at least a first gas component and a second gas component to contact a biomass material within a vessel;

separating at least a portion of the first gas component from the feed gas stream that contacts the biomass material, as the second gas component of the feed gas stream flows through the vessel; and

collecting from the vessel an effluent gas stream that contains a reduced concentration of the first gas component relative to that in the feed gas stream.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first gas component is a water soluble gas.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the first gas component is a water soluble gas having a Henry'"'"'s Law constant (K_H) at 25°

C. of at least 0.002 mole/L-atm.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the second gas component is a water insoluble gas.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the second gas component is a water insoluble gas having a Henry'"'"'s Law constant (K_H) at 25°

C. of less than 0.002 mole/L-atm.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the vessel is maintained at a pressure that is greater than the saturation pressure of water present in the vessel.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the biomass material is comprised of at least 10 wt % water, based on total weight of the biomass.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein flow of the first gas component and the second gas component are mixed together to form the feed gas stream prior to contacting the biomass material.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the first gas component is retained within the vessel until the biomass material is increased in enzyme digestibility.

10. A method of separating gas components, comprising:

sending a feed gas stream comprised of at least a first gas component and a second gas component to contact a biomass material within a vessel, wherein the biomass material contains at least 10 wt % water, based on total weight of the biomass;

separating at least a portion of the first gas component from the second gas component as the feed gas stream is flowed through the vessel; and

collecting from the vessel an effluent gas stream that contains a reduced concentration of the first gas component relative to that in the feed gas stream.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the first gas component is a water soluble gas.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the first gas component is a water soluble gas having a Henry'"'"'s Law constant (K_H) at 25°

C. of at least 0.002 mole/L-atm.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the second gas component is a water insoluble gas.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the second gas component is a water insoluble gas having a Henry'"'"'s Law constant (K_H) at 25°

C. of less than 0.002 mole/L-atm.

15. A method of removing at least one gas component of a gas stream, comprising:

sending a feed gas stream comprised of at least a first gas component and a second gas component to contact a biomass material;

retaining at least a portion of the first gas component within the vessel as the second gas component of the feed gas stream is flowed through the vessel;

collecting an effluent stream from the vessel depleted in concentration of the at least first gas component; and

sending a purge gas stream different in composition from that of the feed gas stream to the vessel to remove at least a portion of the first gas component retained within the vessel.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the first gas component is a water soluble gas.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the first gas component is a water soluble gas having a Henry'"'"'s Law constant (K_H) at 25°

C. of at least 0.002 mole/L-atm.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the second gas component is a water insoluble gas.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the second gas component is a water insoluble gas having a Henry'"'"'s Law constant (K_H) at 25°

C. of less than 0.002 mole/L-atm.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein the first gas component is retained within the vessel until the biomass material is increased in enzyme digestibility.