Integrated thermochemical and biocatalytic energy production system
OwnerJerry Warner, Michael Ladisch +1inventors
InventorsJerry Warner, Michael Ladisch, Nathan Mosier
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for treating organic wastes is provided. Organic wastes are separated into high and low moisture content organic waste streams. The low moisture content organic waste stream is subjected to a gasification process and generates a producer gas. The high moisture content organic waste is subjected to a fermentation process and produces a mixture of ethanol and water. Waste heat from the gasification process is subjected to a distillation column. Vapors recovered from the distillation column are mixed in a hydrous vapor form with the producer gas and produce fuel that can be used as an energy source.
Claims22
An apparatus for the processing organic waste into an energy source, comprising:
- a fermenter adapted to receive organic waste;
- a distillation column in fluid communication with the fermenter and adapted to recover alcohol produced by the fermenter;
- and
- a gasifier adapted to receive solid portions of the organic waste, the gasifier being configured to produce a producer gas adapted to be used for generating electricity.
A method of treating an organic waste comprising:
- separating an organic waste stream into high and low moisture content organic waste streams;
- subjecting the low moisture content organic waste stream to a gasification process to generate a producer gas;
- and
- subjecting the high moisture content organic waste to a fermentation process to produce a mixture of ethanol and water.
A method of treating an organic waste comprising:
- subjecting the organic waste stream to a fermentation process to produce an ethanol and water mixture;
- separating any residual solids from the fermentation step from the ethanol and water mixture;
- and
- subjecting the any residual solids to a gasification process to generate a producer gas.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.