System and method for preparing liquid fuels

• US 8,623,925 B2
• Filed: 12/08/2011
• Issued: 01/07/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/2010
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Advanced Green Innovations, LLC
• Original Assignee: McAlister Technologies, LLC
• Inventors: McAlister, Roy E.
• Primary Examiner(s): PARSA, JAFAR F
• Application Number:
  US13/315,226
• Publication Number:
  US 20120149786A1
• Time in Patent Office: 761 Days
• Field of Search: 518700-705, 518/728
• US Class Current: 518/700
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 12/005 carried out at high temperatures, e.g. by pyrolysis
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 8/04 the fluid passing successively through two or more beds
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 2203/0238 the reforming step being a carbon dioxide reforming step
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 2203/0277 containing a catalytic decomposition step
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 2203/061 Methanol production
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 2203/062 Hydrocarbon production, e.g. Fischer-Tropsch process
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 2203/068 Ammonia synthesis
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 2203/1041 Composition of the catalyst
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 2203/1076 Copper or zinc-based catalysts
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 2203/141 At least two reforming, decomposition or partial oxidation steps in parallel
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 2203/82 Several process steps of C01B2203/02 - C01B2203/08 integrated into a single apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 2203/86 Carbon dioxide sequestration
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 3/025 Preparation or purification of gas mixtures for ammonia synthesis
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 3/34 by reaction of hydrocarbons with gasifying agents
• CPC Class Codes: C01C 1/04 Preparation of ammonia by synthesis in the gas phasepreparation or purification of gas mixtures for ammonia synthesis C01B3/025
• 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: C10G 2/30 from carbon monoxide with hydrogen
• CPC Class Codes: C10G 2/32 with the use of catalysts
• CPC Class Codes: C10G 2/33 characterised by the catalyst used
• CPC Class Codes: C10G 2/34 : Apparatus, reactors
• CPC Class Codes: C10G 2/341 : with stationary catalyst bed
• CPC Class Codes: C10G 2300/1022 : Fischer-Tropsch products
• 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: C10K 3/026 : Increasing the carbon monoxide content, e.g. reverse water-gas shift [RWGS]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 20/00 : Technologies relating to chemical industry
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 20/133 : Renewable energy sources, e.g. sunlight
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 20/52 : using catalysts, e.g. selective catalysts
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 30/00 : Technologies relating to oil refining and petrochemical industry

Abstract

Techniques, methods and systems for preparation liquid fuels from hydrocarbon and carbon dioxide are disclosed. The present invention can transform hydrocarbon and carbon dioxide generated from organic feed stocks or other industrial emissions into renewable engineered liquid fuels and store them in a cost-efficient way. The method of the present invention includes: supplying hydrocarbon and carbon dioxide to a heated area of a reaction chamber in controlled volumes; forming carbon monoxide by the energy provided by the heated area; transporting carbon monoxide and hydrogen to an reactor in controlled volumes; supplying additional hydrogen to the reactor; regulating the pressure in the reactor by adjusting the controlled volumes in order to achieve a predetermined object; forming the liquid fuel in the reactor according to the predetermined object; and, storing the liquid fuel in a storage device.

Claims

1. A method for preparing a liquid fuel, the method comprising:

supplying a first controlled volume of hydrocarbon to a heated area positioned within a reaction chamber, wherein the reaction chamber has a housing and the housing further has at least one solar window;

supplying a second controlled volume of carbon dioxide to the heated area;

at least partially opening or closing the solar window in response to a status of the heated area;

forming carbon monoxide and hydrogen from the hydrocarbon and the carbon dioxide at the heated area;

transporting a third controlled volume of the carbon monoxide to a reactor positioned within the reaction chamber;

transporting a fourth controlled volume of the hydrogen to the reactor;

selectively supplying a fifth controlled volume of additional hydrogen to the reactor;

adjusting the controlled volumes to regulate a pressure in the reactor so as to achieve a predetermined object; and

forming the liquid fuel from the hydrogen and the carbon monoxide in the reactor according to the predetermined object.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the predetermined object includes at least one of a maximum production of the liquid fuel, a minimum energy input to the reaction chamber, and a longest use duration of a catalyst used in the reaction chamber.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the pressure in the reactor is regulated by a valve located between the heated area and the reactor.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

heating up the hydrocarbon and the carbon dioxide by a heat exchanger.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the additional hydrogen is pressurized and supplied cyclically.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

generating a sixth controlled volume of additional carbon dioxide by a combustor; and

heating the heated area by the combustor.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

supplying a seventh controlled volume of oxygen to the combustor; and

supplying an eighth controlled volume of additional carbon monoxide to the combustor.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

directly heating the heated area by solar energy.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the hydrocarbon comprises methane, and wherein the liquid fuel comprises methanol.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

transforming the liquid fuel into a gaseous form by recycled heat energy.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the liquid fuel is stored with at least one of water, a carbon donor, ammonia, and an additive used to improve energy density.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the carbon dioxide is supplied from an ethanol plant.

13. A method for preparing a liquid fuel, the method comprising:

supplying a first controlled volume of hydrocarbon to a heated area positioned within a reaction chamber, wherein the reaction chamber has a housing and the housing further has at least one solar window;

supplying a second controlled volume of carbon dioxide to the heated area;

at least partially opening or closing the solar window in response to a status of the heated area;

forming carbon monoxide and hydrogen from the hydrocarbon and the carbon dioxide by at the heated area;

transporting a third controlled volume of the carbon monoxide to a reactor positioned within the reaction chamber;

transporting a fourth controlled volume of a first part of the hydrogen to the reactor;

transporting a second part of the hydrogen to form ammonia;

selectively supplying a fifth controlled volume of additional hydrogen to the reactor;

adjusting the controlled volumes to regulate a pressure in the reactor so as to achieve a predetermined object;

forming the liquid fuel from the hydrogen and the carbon monoxide in the reactor; and

storing the liquid fuel and the ammonia in a storage device.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the predetermined object includes at least one of a maximum production of the liquid fuel, a minimum energy input to the reaction chamber, and a longest use duration of a catalyst used in the reaction chamber.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the pressure in the reactor is regulated by a valve located between the heated area and the reactor.

16. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

heating up the hydrocarbon and the carbon dioxide by a heat exchanger.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein the additional hydrogen is pressurized and supplied cyclically.

18. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

generating a sixth controlled volume of additional carbon dioxide by a combustor; and

heating the heated area by the combustor.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

supplying a seventh controlled volume of oxygen to the combustor; and

supplying an eighth controlled volume of additional carbon monoxide to the combustor.

20. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

directly heating the heated area by solar energy.

21. The method of claim 13, wherein the hydrocarbon comprises methane, and wherein the liquid fuel comprises methanol.

22. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

transforming the liquid fuel into a gaseous form by recycled heat energy.

23. The method of claim 13, wherein the liquid fuel is stored with at least one of water, a carbon donor, and an additive used to improve energy density.

24. The method of claim 13, wherein the carbon dioxide is supplied from an ethanol plant.