Turbine power generation using lignin-based fuel

Abstract

A method of generating power and a fuel for use in a gas turbogenerator power system are disclosed. The method comprises injecting lignin residue derived from the enzymatic hydrolysis of a biomass feedstock and natural gas into a combustor of a gas turbine power generator; combusting the lignin residue and natural gas with compressed air; inputting the resultant gases into a gas turbine to rotate a turbine shaft and generate rotational energy; and converting the rotational energy into electrical energy. The lignin residue is preferably derived from a process of simultaneous sachrification and fermentation of the biomass feedstock. The lignin residue is preferably transported to the combustor in a pipeline with pressurized air. The fuel comprises a mixture of lignin residue derived from the enzymatic hydrolysis of a biomass feedstock and natural gas. Preferably, the lignin residue is derived from a process for the simultaneous sachrification and fermentation of the biomass feedstock. The lignin residue comprises about 2 to about 70 percent, preferably about 25 to about 65 percent, most preferably about 40 to about 60 percent, by weight of the total amount of lignin residue and natural gas in the mixture.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.