System and method for the manufacture of fuel, fuelstock or fuel additives

• US 7,581,592 B1
• Filed: 11/21/2005
• Issued: 09/01/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/24/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bradley B. Bush
• Original Assignee: Bruce A. Johnson, Ronald R. Bush
• Inventors: Johnson, Bruce A., Bush, Ronald R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Suchfield; George
• Application Number:
  US11/284,071
• Time in Patent Office: 1,380 Days
• Field of Search: 166/57, 166/246, 166/272.1, 166/272.6, 166/302, 606/411, 606/412, 165/45, 208/370, 405/129.1, 588/250, 435/262.5
• US Class Current: 166/302
• CPC Class Codes: C12P 7/06 Ethanol, i.e. non-beverage
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 50/10 Biofuels, e.g. bio-diesel

Abstract

A method and system is provided relating to the production of ethanol or other renewable bio-fuels on a mass, large scale basis while maintaining a positive energy balance. In one example, the present invention relates to a system and method for the mass manufacture of fuel, fuel stock, or fuel additives by using dry or drying up hydrocarbon wells as a heat source in the manufacturing process. In one example, the distillation column is constructed from dried up oil wells.

Claims

1. A method of producing ethanol using geothermal heat from a depleted hydrocarbon well comprising:

providing a depleted hydrocarbon well having at least one borehole;

injecting a biomass feed stock into the depleted hydrocarbon well;

exposing the biomass feedstock to heat and pressure conditions conducive to a fermentation process, wherein geothermal heat present in the depleted hydrocarbon well is used in providing heat to the biomass feedstock to facilitate fermentation of the feedstock to produce ethanol.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the feedstock is made from grain.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the feedstock is made from any biomass.