Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110056124 | Algal Coal and Process for Preparing Same - Algae-derived synthetic coal and filtrates. The invention described herein provides an algae-derived synthetic coal product and filtrates and process for preparing the same using an improved hydrothermal carbonization process. The synthetic coal product is similar to natural bituminous coal in terms of percent carbon content and energy equivalency while at the same time containing relatively low levels of sulfur and contaminant heavy metals. Unlike natural coal and other fossil fuels, because the carbon of the biomass is formed through photosynthesis, carbon dioxide formed during combustion is a “carbon neutral” event with little or no “new” carbon dioxide being added to the earth's atmosphere. The algae-derived filtrates contain useful constituents. | 03-10-2011 |
20110271588 | SYNTHETIC COAL AND METHODS OF PRODUCING SYNTHETIC COAL FROM FERMENTATION RESIDUE - Synthetic coal, methods of producing synthetic coal, produced from fermentation residue, such as the residue from ethanol production, by subjecting the fermentation residue to hydrothermal carbonization in an aqueous solution at a temperature and a pressure sufficient to form a synthetic coal solid and a liquid component. The solid synthetic coal component has a low ash content and may be used as a carbon source for energy production, such as for combustive thermal energy generation, or for gassification for the production of synthesis gas. | 11-10-2011 |
20130206571 | PROCESS FOR OBTAINING OILS, LIPIDS AND LIPID-DERIVED MATERIALS FROM LOW CELLULOSIC BIOMASS MATERIALS - The present invention concerns low energy requiring methods for processing low cellulosic biomass materials into oil, char and liquid components. One method comprises the steps of subjecting the biomass to hydrothermal carbonization under specified reaction conditions for producing a combined char and oil fraction as well as an aqueous fraction, separating the combined oil and char fraction from the aqueous fraction by filtration; separating the combined oil and char fraction into individual oil and char fractions using an organic solvent for forming an oil depleted char fraction and a liquid oil and solvent solution, and separating the liquid oil and solvent solution into individual oil and solvent fractions by distillation. | 08-15-2013 |
20140033777 | Methods of Producing Coal and Fertilizers from Fermentation Residues - The present invention concerns a process for producing synthetic coal and aqueous liquid plant fertilizing solution products from a fermentation residue such as is left over from the corn based process of producing ethanol. The synthetic coal has a high heat value commensurate with naturally occurring coals and is lower in ash and sulfur content and thus has value as a clean burning energy source. The aqueous fertilizer includes commercially useful amounts of phosphorous, potassium and nitrogen in solution. The process of the invention is also energy efficient in that the products produced thereby involve the use of substantially less energy as compared to the traditional methods of processing fermentation residues in the corn based ethanol production industry. | 02-06-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090148800 | Furnace panel leak detection system - A furnace panel leak monitoring and control system for fluid-cooled panels in high temperature industrial furnaces such as, for example, smelting furnaces, blast furnaces and electric arc furnaces. The system performs at least two and up four functions simultaneously. At minimum, the system includes one or more temperature sensors received within the body of the panel to monitor temperature within the metal of the panel itself, and pressure sensors installed proximate the inlet and outlet of each panel coolant fluid circuit, which circuits are preferably periodically automatically tested, to check for leaks in the coolant circuits. In addition, the system preferably includes temperature and flow sensors for monitoring the furnace panel coolant circuit(s) for temperature and flow fluctuations, respectively, which may be indicative of leaking cooling circuits. The system triggers visual and/or audible alarm means to alert a human operator of an apparent coolant fluid leak situation. | 06-11-2009 |
20110017437 | FURNACE PANEL LEAK DETECTION SYSTEM - A furnace panel leak monitoring and control system for fluid-cooled panels in high temperature industrial furnaces such as, for example, smelting furnaces, blast furnaces and electric arc furnaces. The system performs at least two and up four functions simultaneously. At minimum, the system includes one or more temperature sensors received within the body of the panel to monitor temperature within the metal of the panel itself, and pressure sensors installed proximate the inlet and outlet of each panel coolant fluid circuit, which circuits are preferably periodically automatically tested, to check for leaks in the coolant circuits. In addition, the system preferably includes temperature and flow sensors for monitoring the furnace panel coolant circuit(s) for temperature and flow fluctuations, respectively, which may be indicative of leaking cooling circuits. The system triggers visual and/or audible alarm means to alert a human operator of an apparent coolant fluid leak situation. | 01-27-2011 |