System and Method for Converting Biomass to Ethanol via Syngas

• US 20140256993A1
• Filed: 03/10/2014
• Published: 09/11/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/05/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Woodland Biofuels, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Woodland Biofuels, Inc.
• Inventors: Melnichuk, Larry Jack, Kelly, Karen Venita, Davis, Robert S.
• Application Number:
  US14/203,024
• Publication Number:
  US 20140256993A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 568/902.2
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 8/44 Fluidisation grids
• CPC Class Codes: C07C 29/149 with hydrogen or hydrogen-containing gases
• CPC Class Codes: C07C 29/15 by reduction of oxides of carbon exclusively
• CPC Class Codes: C07C 29/1518 one step being the formation of initial mixture of carbon oxides and hydrogen for synthesis
• CPC Class Codes: C07C 31/04 Methanol
• CPC Class Codes: C07C 31/08 Ethanol
• CPC Class Codes: C07C 51/12 on an oxygen-containing group in organic compounds, e.g. alcohols
• CPC Class Codes: C07C 51/44 by distillation
• CPC Class Codes: C07C 53/08 Acetic acid pyroligneous acid C10C; preparation of vinegar C12J
• CPC Class Codes: C07C 67/36 by reaction with carbon monoxide or formates C07C67/02, C07C67/03, C07C67/10 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C07C 69/14 of monohydroxylic compounds
• CPC Class Codes: C10J 2300/0909 Drying
• CPC Class Codes: C10J 2300/0916 Biomass
• CPC Class Codes: C10J 2300/0956 Air or oxygen enriched air
• CPC Class Codes: C10J 2300/1246 by external or indirect heating
• CPC Class Codes: C10J 2300/1606 Combustion processes
• CPC Class Codes: C10J 2300/1621 Compression of synthesis gas
• CPC Class Codes: C10J 2300/1665 to alcohols, e.g. methanol or ethanol preparation of alcohols in general C07C29/00
• CPC Class Codes: C10J 2300/1853 Steam reforming, i.e. injection of steam only
• CPC Class Codes: C10J 2300/1876 with one stream being combustion gas
• CPC Class Codes: C10J 3/482 : Gasifiers with stationary fluidised bed
• CPC Class Codes: C10J 3/721 : Multistage gasification, e.g. plural parallel or serial gasification stages
• CPC Class Codes: C10K 1/026 : by centrifugal forces cyclones B04C
• CPC Class Codes: C10K 1/08 : by washing with liquids; Reviving the used wash liquors gas washers B01D
• CPC Class Codes: C10K 1/12 : alkaline-reacting including the revival of the used wash liquors
• CPC Class Codes: C10K 3/00 : Modifying the chemical composition of combustible gases containing carbon monoxide to produce an improved fuel, e.g. one of different calorific value, which may be free from carbon monoxide
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 50/10 : Biofuels, e.g. bio-diesel
• 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 20/52 : using catalysts, e.g. selective catalysts

Abstract

A method and apparatus for synthesizing ethanol using synthetic routes via synthesis gas are disclosed. A method and apparatus for gasifying biomass, such as biomass, in a steam gasifier that employs a fluidized bed and heating using hot flue gases from the combustion of synthesis gas is described. Methods and apparatus for converting synthesis gas into ethanol are also disclosed, using stepwise catalytic reactions to convert the carbon monoxide and hydrogen into ethanol using catalysts including iridium acetate.

Claims

1-140. -140. (canceled)

141. A method for producing ethanol, comprising:

reacting methanol and carbon monoxide in the presence of a metal catalyst to produce a mixture comprising methyl acetate; and

reacting the methyl acetate with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst to produce a mixture comprising ethanol.

142. A method for producing ethanol from methanol comprising:

providing methanol;

producing a first mixture comprising methyl acetate and hydrogen by reacting the methanol with carbon monoxide in the presence of a catalyst;

producing a second mixture comprising ethanol and methanol by reacting the methyl acetate with hydrogen in the presence of one or more catalysts.

143. A method for producing ethanol comprising:

providing syngas;

reacting the syngas in the presence of one or more catalysts to produce a first mixture comprising methanol, carbon monoxide and hydrogen;

producing a second mixture comprising acetic acid and hydrogen by reacting the first mixture in the presence of one or more catalysts;

separating the acetic acid from the second mixture; and

producing a third mixture comprising ethanol by reacting the acetic acid separated from the second mixture in the presence of one or more catalysts.

144-189. -189. (canceled)