Methods for sequestering carbon dioxide into alcohols via gasification fermentation

Abstract

The present invention is directed to improvements in gasification for use with synthesis gas fermentation. Further, the present invention is directed to improvements in gasification for the production of alcohols from a gaseous substrate containing at least one reducing gas containing at least one microorganism.

1 . An apparatus for sequestration of carbon dioxide from a gaseous stream by improving syngas production via gasification of carbonaceous material to increase carbon monoxide production comprising: a moving bed or fixed bed gasifier wherein carbon dioxide gas, oxygen, and carbonaceous material is injected; wherein up to 50 lb-moles carbon dioxide per DT of said carbonaceous material is injected in one or more chambers of said gasifier; optionally, wherein at least a portion of the 50 lb-moles carbon dioxide per DT of said carbonaceous material is provided from waste gases from a variety of industrial methods; creating syngas comprising carbon monoxide and hydrogen; wherein said syngas comprises a hydrogen to carbon monoxide ratio of one or less; wherein increasing said carbon monoxide production at least 2.5%; wherein further comprising sequestration of carbon dioxide from a gaseous stream for carbon dioxide conversion to alcohol;
 contacting said syngas with biocatalyst to produce an alcohol product mixture comprising methanol, ethanol, propanol or butanol or their combinations; selectively recovering alcohol from the product mixture; wherein the process provides a volumetric ethanol productivity.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said carbonaceous material is selected from the group consisting of carbonaceous material, carbonaceous liquid product, industrial carbonaceous liquid recycle, carbonaceous municipal solid waste, carbonaceous agricultural material, carbonaceous forestry material, carbonaceous wood waste, carbonaceous construction material, carbonaceous vegetative material, carbonaceous petrochemical coproducts, carbonaceous coal, tires and their combinations. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said gasifier comprises one or more chambers. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said gasifier comprises two chambers. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said gasifier comprises two chambers; further comprising injecting carbon dioxide and oxygen gas in first of said two chambers; comprising injecting carbon dioxide and oxygen gas in second of said two chambers. 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein said gasifer comprises two chambers; further comprising injecting up to 50 lb-moles carbon dioxide per DT of said carbonaceous material in second of said two chambers. 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 .- 25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the ratio of CO2 added to (CO2 product—CO2 added) is greater than 0.33. 
     
     
         29 . An apparatus for sequestration of carbon dioxide from a gaseous stream by improving syngas production by using carbonaceous material to increase carbon monoxide production comprising injecting carbon dioxide gas, oxygen, and carbonaceous material into said apparatus; wherein up to 50 lb-moles carbon dioxide per DT of said carbonaceous material is injected in one or more chambers of said apparatus; optionally, wherein at least a portion of the 50 lb-moles carbon dioxide per DT of said carbonaceous material is provided from waste gases from a variety of industrial methods; said syngas comprising carbon monoxide and hydrogen; wherein said syngas comprises a hydrogen to carbon monoxide ratio of one or less; wherein increasing said carbon monoxide production at least 2.5%; wherein further comprising sequestration of carbon dioxide from a gaseous stream for carbon dioxide conversion to alcohol; contacting said syngas with biocatalyst to produce an alcohol product mixture comprising methanol, ethanol., propanol or butanol or their combinations; selectively recovering alcohol from the product mixture; wherein a volumetric ethanol productivity is provided.