Method and apparatus for production of bio-ethanol and other fermentation products

Abstract

A method for converting organic material into hydrocarbon fuel, such as ethanol, the method comprising a fermentation process fermenting the organic material thereby providing a fermentation broth, a separation process separating the fermented material into a hydrocarbon fuel and a residual product, a conversion process at least partly converting the residual product into energy, and a energy distribution process distributing at least some of the energy provided by the conversion process to the fermentation process.

1 . A method for converting organic material into bio-ethanol, the method comprising
 a fermentation process fermenting the organic material, thereby providing a fermentation broth comprising bio-ethanol,   a separation process separating the fermented material into bio-ethanol and a residual product   a conversion process at least partly converting the residual product into energy,   energy distribution process distributing at least some of the energy provided by the conversion process to the fermentation process,   wherein   the fermentation process, the conversion process, and the separation process are conducted in a bio-ethanol production chemical plant,   said conversion process is conducted in a high pressure fluid at a pressure of at least 50 bar, wherein said fluid is/are selected among: water and/or alcohols,   said conversion process includes a hydrothermal and/or solvothermal conversion.   
   
   
       2 . A The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said conversion into energy includes a conversion into thermal energy such as heat. 
   
   
       3 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising one or more pre-treatment process producing a mash from the organic material for the fermentation process. 
   
   
       4 . The method according  claim 1 , wherein said pre-treatment process further comprises a liquefaction step, wherein enzymes are added to the pulp in the liquefaction process. 
   
   
       5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said pre-treatment process further comprises a saccharification step, wherein enzymes are added. 
   
   
       6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein at least 50% of the energy required for said pre-treatment process being supplied by said energy distribution process. 
   
   
       7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the fermentation process takes place in a fluid, preferably being water. 
   
   
       8 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the fermentation process comprises converting sugar(s) by use and/or addition of micro organism(s), such as yeast, and/or bacterias such as thermolabile bacterias directly and/or indirectly into the fermentation broth comprising hydrocarbon fuel(s). 
   
   
       9 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the fermentation process takes place at a temperature between 24-36° C. for 24-96 hours in an environment with a pH around 4-5. 
   
   
       10 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the separation process comprises distilling the fermentation broth whereby at least a part of the hydrocarbon fuel is separated from the fermentation broth. 
   
   
       11 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein substantially all of the hydrocarbon fuel and residual products present in the fermentation broth is separated subsequent to the fermentation process, and wherein substantially all of the hydrocarbon fuel present in the fermentation broth is distilled off. 
   
   
       12 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein at least 50% of the energy required for said separation process is being supplied by said energy distribution process. 
   
   
       13 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein at least 50% of the energy required for said pre-treatment process, fermentation process, and separation process is being supplied by said energy distribution process. 
   
   
       14 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the conversion process involves a combustion process. 
   
   
       15 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the said conversion process is conducted in a high pressure fluid such as in a fluid at a pressure of at least 100 bar and preferably at a pressure of at least 150 bar such at a pressure of at least 200 bar such as at a pressure of at least 250 bar. 
   
   
       16 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one homogeneous and/or heterogeneous catalyst is present in said high pressure fluid.