Biogenic Carbon Dioxide Recovery for Fuel Yield
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Solution Overview
Problem
Biofuels face challenges in widespread adoption due to low yield and high production costs, particularly in converting non-edible cellulose and hemicellulose from plant material to fuels, and the environmental impact of fossil fuels is significant due to carbon dioxide emissions.
Innovation Solution
A process that collects and utilizes biogenic carbon dioxide produced during fuel production as a carbon source to increase yield and reduce costs, combining it with fossil-derived hydrogen to form biogenic carbon-based fuels, which are then used to produce more fuel, while introducing fossil carbon dioxide underground to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If biogenic carbon dioxide is collected and used as a carbon source to produce fuel, then the yield of biogenic carbon-based fuel is increased by 10-30%, but the process complexity increases due to additional collection and conversion steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent recovers biogenic carbon dioxide that would otherwise be discarded during fermentation processes. By capturing this waste stream and converting it back into fuel through microbial fermentation, the system transforms a low-value byproduct into a valuable resource, thereby increasing overall fuel yield without requiring entirely new process infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the biogenic carbon dioxide produced during fermentation to feed back into the same fermentation process, creating a self-sustaining cycle. The carbon dioxide generated by microbial metabolism is recaptured and reused as a carbon source for additional fuel production, allowing the system to service itself and reduce external input requirements
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional fermentation processes are used to produce ethanol from non-fossil organic material, then the production process is relatively simple, but the yield of fuel from starting material is low due to carbon loss as carbon dioxide
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful aspect of carbon dioxide emission (which represents lost carbon and reduced yield) into a beneficial resource. By treating the carbon dioxide byproduct as a valuable feedstock for additional fuel synthesis, the system turns what was previously a waste stream into a source of increased productivity, effectively making the yield loss beneficial to the overall process
3Reliability
If fossil fuels are used for energy production, then energy supply is reliable and consistent, but carbon dioxide emissions increase atmospheric greenhouse gas levels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of carbon source origin from fossil (non-renewable) to biogenic (renewable). By using microorganisms to convert biogenic carbon dioxide into fuel, the system produces biofuels that, when combusted, release carbon that was recently fixed by photosynthesis rather than ancient stored carbon, thereby maintaining energy supply reliability while eliminating net greenhouse gas emissions
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This process enhances the yield of biogenic carbon-based fuels by at least 10-30% and reduces life cycle greenhouse gas emissions by at least 20% compared to conventional biofuel production, while using a low-cost hydrogen source and minimizing atmospheric carbon dioxide contributions.
Implementation Method 1
a production process comprising a step of fermentation, the production process producing a first product derived from the non-fossil organic material... wherein biogenic carbon dioxide is generated during the production process
Implementation Method 2
converting the biogenic carbon dioxide and hydrogen to a second product by a process comprising at least one chemical or biological conversion, wherein the second product so produced is a biogenic carbon-based fuel or fuel intermediate
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a process for forming a biogenic carbon-based fuel or a fuel intermediate from biogenic carbon dioxide and hydrogen. At least a portion of the biogenic carbon dioxide and hydrogen is subjected to a reverse water gas shift reaction that produces at least carbon monoxide. The carbon monoxide so produced, the biogenic carbon dioxide and the hydrogen are introduced, together or separately, to a biologic or chemical conversion process to produce the fuel or fuel intermediate.