Systems and methods for cyclic operations in a fuel synthesis process

Abstract

A method, apparatus, and system for a fuel synthesis system including a multiple methanol reactor train, operated in parallel from a common input of 1) synthesis gas from a solar driven chemical reactor and 2) synthesis gas from a storage tank. In some embodiments, the multiple methanol reactor trains are idled as needed based on a variable amount of synthesis gas fed into the process. Additionally, some embodiments may include a controller to control operation of the multiple methanol trains by potentially idling one or more of the methanol reactor trains, switching to an operational state, or altering the output from the reactor trains, based on the amount of synthesis gas being generated by the solar driven chemical reactor, which is subject to marked variations in volume of synthesis gas output based on a seasonal, diurnal and weather effects.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of both U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 248,282, filed Oct. 2, 2009 and entitled “VARIOUS METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR SUN DRIVEN PROCESSES,” and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No 61 / 185,492, entitled “VARIOUS METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR SOLAR-THERMAL GASIFICATION OF BIOMASS TO PRODUCE SYNTHESIS GAS” filed Jun. 9, 2009.NOTICE OF COPYRIGHT[0002]A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the software engine and its modules, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office Patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0003]Embodiments of the invention generally relate to systems, methods, and apparatus for refining biomass and other materials. More particularly, an aspect of an embodiment of the inve...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The patent describes a solar-driven chemical plant that can produce fuel using a multiple methanol reactor train. The system can use solar energy from a solar thermal receiver or from a storage tank to produce synthesis gas. The system can also control the operation of the methanol reactor trains based on the amount of synthesis gas generated by the solar reactor and the amount of gas stored in the tank. The control algorithms allow for rapid and efficient reactor cycling, and the system can recycle synthesis gas and methanol product gas to maintain the reactors at maximum throughput. The technical effects of the patent include efficient and flexible production of fuel using solar energy and control algorithms for reactor operation."

Problems solved by technology

Between 30% and 40% of the biomass must be consumed to drive the process, and at the temperatures which the process is generally limited to (for efficiency reasons), conversion is typically limited, giving still lower yields.

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