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

[0006]In some embodiments, 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. 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 or reducing output of the trains based on a lower amount of synthesis gas being generated by the solar driven chemical reactor, or switching an idle train to an operational state or increasing output of a train when the amount of syngas gas is higher, both of which are subject to marked variations in volume of synthesis gas output based on a seasonal, diurnal and weather effects. Additionally, in some embodiments the multiple methanol reactor trains are idled as needed based on a variable amount of synthesis gas fed into the process.

[0007]In some embodiments, a fuel synthesis system can include control algorithms on reactor operation. The control algorithms may specifically allow rapid and efficient reactor cycling. This can be by using synthesis gas from a solar driven chemical reactor. Additionally, synthesis gas from a storage tank may provide for rapid and efficient reactor cycling, e.g., by maintaining reactor temperature. Recycling synthesis gas and methanol product gas from the outlet of the reactor trains can also be used to keep at least one of the trains operating at some percent of its maximum throughput.

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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