System and method for renewable resource production, for example, hydrogen production by microbial electrolysis, fermentation, and/or photosynthesis

• US 9,040,012 B2
• Filed: 02/14/2011
• Issued: 05/26/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 02/17/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Advanced Green Innovations, LLC
• Original Assignee: McAlister Technologies, LLC
• Inventors: McAlister, Roy Edward
• Primary Examiner(s): LANGEL, WAYNE A
• Application Number:
  US13/027,236
• Publication Number:
  US 20110257275A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,562 Days
• Field of Search: 423/648.1, 423/658.2, 423/352, 423/359, 423/413, 205/615, 205628-639, 435/262.5, 518/702, 518/704
• US Class Current: 423/359
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 2203/0272 containing a non-catalytic decomposition step
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 2203/1235 Hydrocarbons
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 3/02 Production of hydrogen or of gaseous mixtures containing a substantial proportion of hydrogen
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 3/06 by reaction of inorganic compounds containing electro-positively bound hydrogen, e.g. water, acids, bases, ammonia, with inorganic reducing agents by electrolysis of water C25B1/04
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 3/24 of hydrocarbons
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 3/28 Anaerobic digestion processes
• CPC Class Codes: C12P 3/00 Preparation of elements or inorganic compounds except carbon dioxide recovery of carbon dioxides as by-products C12F3/02
• CPC Class Codes: C25B 1/02 Hydrogen or oxygen
• CPC Class Codes: C25B 1/04 by electrolysis of water
• CPC Class Codes: C25B 11/03 perforated or foraminous
• CPC Class Codes: C25B 13/02 characterised by shape or form
• CPC Class Codes: C25B 15/00 Operating or servicing cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 50/30 Fuel from waste, e.g. synthetic alcohol or diesel
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/36 Hydrogen production from non-carbon containing sources, e.g. by water electrolysis
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 20/133 Renewable energy sources, e.g. sunlight
• CPC Class Codes: Y02W 10/33 using wind energy
• CPC Class Codes: Y02W 10/37 using solar energy

Abstract

System and method for sustainable economic development which includes hydrogen extracted from substances, for example, sea water, industrial waste water, agricultural waste water, sewage, and landfill waste water. The hydrogen extraction is accomplished by thermal dissociation, electrical dissociation, optical dissociation, and magnetic dissociation. The hydrogen extraction further includes operation in conjunction with energy addition from renewable resources, for example, solar, wind, moving water, geothermal, or biomass resources.

Claims

1. A process for producing carbon or hydrogen from a water-based solution comprising:

collecting solar energy at least part of which is received by a reaction zone, the reaction zone including a carbon source and a microorganism to promote production of said carbon or said hydrogen from said water-based solution, wherein said reaction zone includes an electrode surface capable of enhancing growth of said microorganism;

anaerobically digesting said carbon source in said reaction zone; and

dissociating at least a portion of said water-based solution into at least hydrogen and another substance by electrolysis.

2. A process as in claim 1, further comprising separating said other substance and said hydrogen by a selective membrane.

3. A process as in claim 1 wherein said process is for producing methane.

4. A process as in claim 1 wherein hydrogen is produced, and wherein said hydrogen exerts higher pressure than an initial pressure of said water-based solution.

5. A process as in claim 1 wherein hydrogen is produced, and wherein said process further comprises pressurizing said hydrogen by pumping said water-based solution.

6. A process as in claim 1 wherein anaerobically digesting the carbon source includes generating an electrolyte that releases hydrogen at a lower voltage than the voltage required to dissociate water.

7. A process as in claim 1 wherein anaerobically digesting the carbon source in the reaction zone includes catalyzing an acid to hydrogen and carbon dioxide.

8. A process as in claim 1, further comprising delivering organic substances to said microorganism by pumping said water-based solution, wherein pumping occurs from low-density gasses escaping from said water-based solution.

9. A process as in claim 1 wherein said microorganism is a purple non-sulfur bacteria.

10. A sustainable economic development process comprising:

extracting carbon or hydrogen from a water-based resource;

digesting organic matter in a reaction zone with anaerobic microorganisms to generate an electrolyte liquor, the reaction zone including an electrode surface capable of enhancing growth of said microorganisms;

wherein extracting carbon or hydrogen includes dissociating hydrogen and another substance from said water-based resource or from said electrolyte liquor by electrolysis; and

wherein extracting carbon or hydrogen includes applying energy to a reaction zone, the energy derived from a renewable resource.

11. A process as in claim 10 wherein said hydrogen is pressurized hydrogen and a portion of said pressurized hydrogen is combusted with air to produce water and nitrogen and wherein said nitrogen is reacted with another portion of said pressurized hydrogen to produce substances selected from a group consisting of ammonia and substances derived from ammonia.

12. A process as in claim 10 wherein said water-based solution is at a first pressure and said carbon or said hydrogen is extracted at a second pressure greater than the first pressure.

13. A process as in claim 10 wherein said hydrogen is pressurized hydrogen, and wherein the process further comprises:

combusting a portion of said pressurized hydrogen with air in an engine to produce water; and

reacting nitrogen with another portion of said pressurized hydrogen.

14. A process as in claim 10 wherein hydrogen is extracted, and wherein the process further comprises reacting said hydrogen with a carbon donor to produce a substance containing carbon and hydrogen.

15. A process as in claim 10 wherein hydrogen is extracted, and wherein the process further comprises reacting said hydrogen with an oxide of carbon to produce a compound containing at least hydrogen and carbon.

16. A process as in claim 10 wherein the water-based resource is selected from a group consisting of sea water, industrial waste water, agricultural waste water, sewage, and landfill waste water.

17. A process as in claim 10 wherein said renewable resource is selected from a group consisting of solar, wind, moving water, geothermal, and biomass resources.

18. An electrolytic process for producing hydrogen comprising:

supplying a water-based solution having a carbon source to an electrolyzer;

anaerobically digesting the carbon source with a microorganism present in said electrolyzer;

providing hydrogenase to said electrolyzer;

dissociating at least a portion of said water-based solution into at least hydrogen ions and oxygen ions by electrolysis; and

catalyzing hydrogen production according to equation

2H⁺+2e⁻

→

H₂,

wherein said equation is catalyzed by said hydrogenase.

19. A process as in claim 18, further comprising culturing microorganisms in said electrolyzer.

20. A process as in claim 18 wherein said electrolyzer includes an electrode surface capable of enhancing growth of said microorganism.