This invention discloses systems and methods for conversion of high moisture waste materials to dry or low moisture products for recycle or reuse. The equipment systems comprise a gas turbine generator unit (preferred heat source), a dryer vessel and a processing unit, wherein the connection between the gas turbine and the dryer vessel directs substantially all the gas turbine exhaust into the dryer vessel and substantially precludes the introduction of air into the dryer vessel and wherein the processing unit forms the dried material from the dryer vessel into granules, pellets or other desired form for the final product. Optionally, the systems and methods further provide for processing ventilation air from manufacturing facilities to reduce emissions therefrom.

Process and system for drying and heat treating materials

This invention features methods and apparatus for producing syngas from any carbon-containing feed material. In some embodiments, a substoichiometric amount of oxygen is used to enhance the formation of syngas. In various embodiments, both oxygen and steam are added during the conversion of the feed material into syngas. The syngas can be converted to alcohols, such as ethanol, or to other products.

Methods and apparatus for producing syngas

A remedial pollution control system for treating volatile organic compounds that may include a vapor concentrator connected to a line that is laden with volatile organic compounds, the concentrator has an organic condensate output line and a vapor output line; a mixing chamber adapted to receive air provided from an air supply line, combustible fuel from an alternate fuel supply line, and a vapor stream from the vapor output line to produce a mixed fuel supplied to an internal combustion engine, a control mixing system with a controller for producing a proper air to fuel ratio in the mixed fuel supply, and power generated to operate other devices used to more efficiently abate volatile organic compounds and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Remedial system: a pollution control device for utilizing and abating volatile organic compounds

Methods are disclosed for forming heptan-4-one, and, optionally, heptan-4-ol, from fermentable sugars. The sugars are fermented using a bacteria or yeast that predominantly forms butyric acid. The butyric acid is subjected to catalytic ketonization conditions to form heptan-4-one, with concomitant loss of water and carbon dioxide. The heptan-4-one can be subjected to catalytic hydrogenation to form heptan-4-ol, an either of these can be included in gasoline compositions. In one aspect, the fermentable sugars are derived from lignocellulosic materials such as wood products, switchgrass, or agricultural wastes, which are delignified to form lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose. The cellulose and hemicellulose can be depolymerized to form glycose and xylose, either or both of which can be fermented by the bacteria. Thus, the methods described herein can convert biomass to a fuel composition or fuel additive, which can be used in a conventional gasoline engine, unlike traditional fuels such as ethanol or biodiesel.

Production of gasoline from fermentable feedstocks

Systems and methods of operating an engine with a varying fuel composition. In one example, a split injection is performed during engine cranking with at least some fuel injected in the intake stroke and some fuel injected in the compression stroke. Further, a split ratio of the injection is adjusted based on the alcohol content of the injected fuel.

Fuel-based injection control

Mixed alcohol formulas can be used as a fuel additive in gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, aviation gasoline, heating oil, bunker oil, coal, petroleum coke or as a neat fuel in and of itself. The mixed alcohols formulations can contain Cl-C5 alcohols, or in the alternative, C1-C8 alcohols or higher C1-Clo alcohols in order to boost energy content. The C1-C5 mixed alcohols contain more ethanol than methanol with declining amounts of propanol, butanol and pentanol. C1-C8 mixed alcohols contain the same, with declining amounts of hexanol, heptanol and octanol. C1-C10 mixed alcohols contain the same, with declining amounts of nananol and decanol. Synthetically produced mixed alcohol formulas feature higher octane and energy densities than either MTBE or fermented grain ethanol; more stable Reid Vapor Pressure blending characteristics; and increased soluablizing effects on condensate water. The primary benefits of mixed alcohols are increased combustion efficiencies, reduced emissions profiles and low production costs.

Mixed alcohol fuels for internal combustion engines, furnaces, boilers, kilns and gasifiers

Mixed alcohols can be used as a fuel additive in gasoline, diesel, jet fuel or as a neat fuel in and of itself. The mixed alcohols can contain C 1 -C 5 alcohols, or in the alternative, C 1 -C 8 , or higher, alcohols in order to boost energy content. The C 1 -C 5 mixed alcohols contain more ethanol than methanol with amounts of propanol, butanol and pentanol. C 1 -C 8 mixed alcohols contain the same, with amounts of hexanol, heptanol and octanol. A gasoline-based fuel includes gasoline and the mixed alcohols. A diesel based fuel includes diesel and the mixed alcohols. A jet fuel includes kerosene and the mixed alcohols. The neat fuel of the mixed alcohols has an octane number of at least 109 and the Reid Vapor Pressure is no greater than 5 psi. The gross heat of combustion is at least 12,000 BTU's/lb.

Fuels for internal combustion engines

Mixed alcohol formulas can be used as a fuel additive in petroleum-based hydrocarbon liquid fuels, synthetic or bio-derived gasoline, diesel fuels, jet fuel, aviation gasoline, heating oil, bunker oil, coal, petroleum coke, heavy crude oil, bitumen, or as a neat fuel in and of itself. The mixed alcohol formulations can be blended with ground petroleum coke, coal, heavy crude oil, or bitumen to form a thixotropic slurry for ease of transportation. The mixed alcohol formulations can also be used to shurry transport ground biomass. The mixed alcohol formulations can contain a blend of C 1 -C 5 alcohols, or C 1 -C 8 alcohols or higher C 1 -C 10 alcohols in order to further boost energy content.

Robert M. Jimeson

Papers

Mixed alcohol fuels for internal combustion engines, furnaces, boilers, kilns and gasifiers

Fuels for internal combustion engines

Mixed alcohol fuels for internal combustion engines, furnaces, boilers, kilns and gasifiers and slurry transportation