Methods and systems for converting waste into complex hydrocarbons
AssigneeInnoventor Renewable Power, Inc.
InventorsRichard P. Lux, Christopher M. Reeves, Gary Eugene Winkler
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method for receiving animal waste from animal confinements or other concentrated animal waste sources and for converting the waste into a complex hydrocarbon is described. The waste contains both liquids and solids. The method includes separating the liquids and solids into separate waste streams, controlling an amount of moisture in the solids waste stream such that the amount of moisture in the solid waste stream is compatible with a selected energy conversion process, and feeding the moisture controlled solid waste into the energy conversion process. The complex hydrocarbon may be suitable for use as a substitute or additive to petroleum-based asphalt binder.
Claims22
A system for processing a waste stream from animal production confinements and other sources of concentrated wastes into a complex hydrocarbon, said system comprising:
- a solids/liquids separator receiving the waste stream and configured to separate the waste stream into a solid waste stream and a liquid waste stream, the solid waste stream having a lower percentage of liquid than the liquid waste stream;
- a control system for selectively controlling an amount of moisture in the solid waste stream;
- and
- an energy conversion processor for receiving the moisture controlled solid waste stream and converting the solid waste stream into the complex hydrocarbon;
- wherein the complex hydrocarbon has a specific gravity, pour point, viscosity and a heat of combustion similar to that of petroleum-based asphalt binder;
- whereby the complex hydrocarbon is suitable for use as an additive to, or substitute for, bitumen and petroleum-based asphalt binder in an asphalt mixture.
An asphalt binder mixture comprising:
- a complex hydrocarbon produced from a waste stream from animal production confinements and other sources of concentrated waste;
- a polymer-based asphalt binder additive;
- and
- a petroleum-based asphalt binder.
An asphalt mixture comprising:
- an asphalt binder produced from animal waste subjected to an energy conversion process;
- an aggregate;
- and
- a polymer-based asphalt binder additive.
An asphalt mixture comprising:
- an asphalt binder produced from animal waste subjected to an energy conversion process;
- an aggregate;
- and
- a petroleum-based asphalt binder.
An asphalt binder comprising:
- a complex hydrocarbon produced from animal waste,
- wherein the complex hydrocarbon has a specific gravity, pour point, viscosity and a heat of combustion similar to that of petroleum-based asphalt binder and is therefore suitable for use as an additive to, or substitute for, bitumen and petroleum-based asphalt binder in an asphalt mixture.
A complex hydrocarbon generated from an animal waste system and other sources of concentrated wastes, wherein the complex hydrocarbon generated has material properties similar to that of petroleum-based asphalt binder, thereby rendering the complex hydrocarbon suitable for use as a portion of an asphalt binder mixture.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.