- Email: [email protected]
03658 Metabolic engineering of bacteria for ethanol production
02
Liquid
fuels
(derived
liquid
fuels)
98lQ3654
Liquefaction of Victorian brown coal with continuous reactors. IV. Effect of preheating conditions on liquefaction yields
Method and apparatus for manufacture of fuels 90lO3660 from waste plastics Go, K. Jpn. Kokai Tokkyo Koho JP 09,286,991 [97,286,991] (C1. ClOGli
Okuma, 0. et al. Nippon Enenrgi Gakkaishi, 1998, 77, (2), 139-147. (In Japanese) Using a process development unit (PDU) with three stirred tank reactors and three preheaters connected in series, the effect of pre-heating conditions on the liquefaction reaction of Victorian brown coal (Yallourn) was investigated. Four kinds of solvents were used for liquefaction to examine the relationship between the solvent properties and the effect of the preheating conditions. RS, CLE, HDAO were the recycled solvent fraction, heavy liquefaction product derived from the brown coal and coal liquid product further hydrogenated over nickel-molybdenum catalyst, respectively. For all experiments, the liquefaction was carried out in the presence of iron-sulfur catalyst at 450°C and 14.7 MPa. Based on the results, it is concluded that the usual preheating conditions of the liquefaction process decreased the liquefaction performance. This indicates that the distillate yield increases if the retrogressive reaction at the preheating stage is suppressed by controlling the preheating conditions and solvent quality such as hydrogen donor ability and catalyst activity.
lo), 4 Nov 1997, KR Appl. 9,666,845, 17 Dee 1996, 5 pp. (In Japanese) A method and apparatus for manufacture of low-boiling hydrocarbon oils by catalytic cracking process from waste plastic raw materials are presented. Included in the manufacturing apparatus are a raw material supply apparatus, a raw material screw feeder, a cracking furnace, a heating furnace, a rectifier, a volatile oil cooler, a diesel oil cooler, a refining apparatus for volatile oil and a refining apparatus for diesel oil. Environmental pollution can be avoided and energy regeneration is possible with this method.
Liquid fuel by thermochemical municipal refuse in Shellsol AB
96103655
conversion
of 98103662
El-Gayar, M. S. Egvpf. J. Chem., 1997, 40, (4), 271-280. A batch autoclave system was used to study the liquefaction of municipal refuse in the presence of various nickel catalysts under inert or hydrogen atmosphere. The feedstock was slurried in Shellsol AB, a low vapour pressure aromatic processing liquid. GC was used to analyse the gaseous products. High conversion of refuse into gases, mainly CO and CO* and oil, were achieved. The oxygen content of the produced oils was lower than that of the feed. At a temperature 13OO”C, the refuse conversion process was thermal while at higher temperatures, hydrogenation was catalytic.
Liquid fuels from natural gas 96103656 Fouda, S. A. Sci. Am., 1998, 278, (3), 92-95. Studies on the conversion of natural gas into liquid fuels are reviewed for making full use of natural gas resources. Processes reviewed are steam reforming, partial oxidation, Fischer-Tropsch reaction, synthesizing methanol from natural gas, etc. 98103657
98lO3661 Method of processing of waste plastics Takada, T. et al. Jpn. Kokai Tokkyo Koho JP 10 72,587 [98 72,587] (Cl. ClOGl/lO), 17 Mar 1998, JP Appl. 96/139,712, 10 May 1996, 6 pp. (In Japanese) Awaste plastics treatment method comprises mixing waste plastics, chlorine fixing agent, and at least one from a selection of petroleum-derived heavy oils, coal-derived heavy oils, waste oils and vegetable oils, and heating at 350-460°C under a non-oxidizing atmosphere.
Manufacture method of high-concentration porous
coal slurry Gkuma, 0. et al. Jpn. Kokai Tokkyo Koho JP 10 46,163 [98 46.1631 (Cl. ClOL1/32), 17 Feb 1998, Appl. 96/210,122, 8 Aug 1996, 7 pp. (In Japanese) A manufacturing method for high-concentration porous coal slurries is introduced. Porous coal is fed to a heated oil medium, of which the temperature is kept above the boiling point of water and below its initial boiling point. The porous coal is then dewatered by settling through a hot oil medium and the fraction of high-concentration coal slurries is separated.
Oil manufacture
bv thermal
decomoosition
of
plastics Shimamoto, K. et al. Jpn. Kokai Tokkyo Koho JP 10 08,067 [98 08,067] (Cl. ClOGlIlO), 13 Jan 1998, Appl. 961164,838, 25 Jun 1996, 6 pp. (In Japanese) Oiiy products are given with thermal decomposition of plastics with HzO. The process may be done in the presence of solid acid catalysts such as SiOz.AlzOs catalysts. The process is highly efficient and the resultant plastics may contain polyolefins and polystyrene.
Oil-producing apparatus for waste plastics and resin thermal decompositron method
98103663
Nishio, M. Jpn. Kokai Tokkyo Koho JP 09,291,289 [97,291,289] (Cl. ClOGlIlO), 11 Nov 1997, Appl. 961108,267, 26 Apr 1996, 7 pp. (In Japanese) The apparatus comprises a pyrolysis tank, an inert gas generating means inside the tank bodv for generating an inert zas flow against the aravitv direction, a plastic feeding means lfor supplying at least ~1 mm3 plastic particles or plastics having < 1 mm thickness to the pyrolysis tank, a heater for keeping the temperature above the pyrolysis temperature of the waste plastics, a condenser for recovery of oil fractions from the gas generated, and a screw feeder disposed at the bottom of the pyrolysis tank body for discharging the residues generated from the pyrolysis. The process facilitates waste plastics pyrolysis with improved efficiency and easy separation of residues. 98lO3664
Pilot production of biodiesel on the Nez Perce Tribe
reservation 98103658 production
Metabolic
engineering
of bacteria
for ethanol
Ingram, L. 0. et al. Biotechnol. Bioeng., 1998, 58, (2/3), 204-214. Although technologies exist that allow the conversion of lignocellulose into fuel ethanol using genetically engineered bacteria, assembling these into a cost-effective process remains a challenge. The focus of this work is mainly the genetic engineering of enteric bacteria using a portable ethanol production pathway. The general approach for the genetic engineering of new biocatalysts has thus far been most successful with enteric bacteria. However, this approach may also prove useful with Gram-positive bacteria, which have other important traits for lignocellulose conversion. Many opportunities remain for further improvements in the biomass to ethanol processes including: the development of enzyme-based systems which eliminate the need for diluted acid hydrolysis or other pre-treatments, improvements in existing pre-treatments for enzymatic hydrolysis, process improvements to increase the effective use of cellulase and hemicellulase enzymes, improvements in rates of ethanol production, decreased nutrient costs, increases in ethanol concentrations achieved in biomass beers, increased resistance of the biocatalysts to lignocellulosic-derived toxins, etc. Each of these improvements must result in a decrease in the cost for ethanol production in order to be of any use.
Methanol-mediated extraction of coal liquid. Ex98103659 traction yields and partition coefficients of phenols Sato, S. et al. Nippon Enerugi Gakkaishi, 1997, 76, (ll), 1054-1062. (In Japanese) The kerosene fraction of Wyoming coal liquid was used to develop the estimation method for the extraction yield of PhOH on MeOH-mediated extraction. The extraction yield was estimated by (M + W)I(M + W + K); M, W = the amounts of charged MeOH and water, respectively, K = a partition coefficient dependent on the percentage of water in the charged MeOH and water (Xw), but independent of the amount of charged oil. At Xw 145 wt%, a high extraction yield was expected, while it increased at Xw ~45 wt%, suggesting a decrease of the extraction yield. Similar results were obtained for cresols and ethylphenols extraction. The contamination of neutral oil was very low at Xv 260 wt%. Several preliminary experiments are sufficient to estimate the extraction ratio using K, and the range of Xw = 45-60 wt% was adequate for practical processing. This estimation method is very useful for planning an extraction process.
344
Fuel and Energy Abstracts
September 1998
Cruz, R. 0. et al.
Bioenergy
‘96, Proc. Natl. Bioenergy
Conf.,
7th. 1996, 1,
364-371.
Located at Lapwai, Idaho, the pilot project described relates to a renewable fuel from vegetable oil or animal fat and alcohol. Termed as biodiesel, the fuel is produced through a modified transesterification process and is comparable to diesel fuel with respect to chemical and physical attributes and combustion characteristics. Biodiesel is also biodegradable, cleaner burning and safer and has environmentally friendly attributes. Up to 1150 I of biodiesel is produced by the unit per batch, with initial batches of methanol and used cooking oil as raw materials. For demonstration purposes, both biodiesel and diesel are used in diesel powered vehicles and small engines. The raw materials and biodiesel are analysed and the vehicles/engines are tested for emissions and performance.
Plastic treatment apparatus and oil-producing ap98lO3665 paratus for waste plastics Nishio, M. and Kumochi, K. Jpn. Kokai Tokkyo Koho JP 09,291,290 [97,291,290] (Cl. ClOGlIlO), 11 Nov 1997, Appl. 96/108,268, 26 Apr 1996, 17 pp. (In Japanese) This apparatus produces oil by melting-pyrolysing vinyl chloride-containing waste plastics. The process comprises heating-melting the waste plastics in a first heating-melting zone at 20&27O”C to decompose phthalic acid-series plasticizer of waste plastics and not to decompose vinyl chloride. The waste plastics from the first zone are subjected to heating-melting in a second heating-melting zone at 280-300°C to decompose vinyl chloride and not the waste plastics.
Preliminary operational experience from the Bio98iO3666 mass Gasification Facility (BGF) in Pala, Hawaii Trenka, A. R. Bioenergy ‘96, Proc. Natl. Bioenergy Conf., 7th, 1996, 1, 3743. As a multi-phase effort, the BGF programme will initially demonstrate the direct gasification of bagasse for the production of hot, unprocessed gas. It will install a specially designed gasifier, based on the Institute of Gas Technology’s (IGT) patented RENUGAS process, capable of gasifying over 100 t/d of biomass. Once completed, the BGF was subjected to three test runs were conducted during 1995. The preliminary results on the operational experience with the key subsystems of the BGF, as well as the overall system performance, are presented. Bagasse handling problems
Liquid
fuels
(derived
liquid
fuels)
98lQ3654
Liquefaction of Victorian brown coal with continuous reactors. IV. Effect of preheating conditions on liquefaction yields
Method and apparatus for manufacture of fuels 90lO3660 from waste plastics Go, K. Jpn. Kokai Tokkyo Koho JP 09,286,991 [97,286,991] (C1. ClOGli
Okuma, 0. et al. Nippon Enenrgi Gakkaishi, 1998, 77, (2), 139-147. (In Japanese) Using a process development unit (PDU) with three stirred tank reactors and three preheaters connected in series, the effect of pre-heating conditions on the liquefaction reaction of Victorian brown coal (Yallourn) was investigated. Four kinds of solvents were used for liquefaction to examine the relationship between the solvent properties and the effect of the preheating conditions. RS, CLE, HDAO were the recycled solvent fraction, heavy liquefaction product derived from the brown coal and coal liquid product further hydrogenated over nickel-molybdenum catalyst, respectively. For all experiments, the liquefaction was carried out in the presence of iron-sulfur catalyst at 450°C and 14.7 MPa. Based on the results, it is concluded that the usual preheating conditions of the liquefaction process decreased the liquefaction performance. This indicates that the distillate yield increases if the retrogressive reaction at the preheating stage is suppressed by controlling the preheating conditions and solvent quality such as hydrogen donor ability and catalyst activity.
lo), 4 Nov 1997, KR Appl. 9,666,845, 17 Dee 1996, 5 pp. (In Japanese) A method and apparatus for manufacture of low-boiling hydrocarbon oils by catalytic cracking process from waste plastic raw materials are presented. Included in the manufacturing apparatus are a raw material supply apparatus, a raw material screw feeder, a cracking furnace, a heating furnace, a rectifier, a volatile oil cooler, a diesel oil cooler, a refining apparatus for volatile oil and a refining apparatus for diesel oil. Environmental pollution can be avoided and energy regeneration is possible with this method.
Liquid fuel by thermochemical municipal refuse in Shellsol AB
96103655
conversion
of 98103662
El-Gayar, M. S. Egvpf. J. Chem., 1997, 40, (4), 271-280. A batch autoclave system was used to study the liquefaction of municipal refuse in the presence of various nickel catalysts under inert or hydrogen atmosphere. The feedstock was slurried in Shellsol AB, a low vapour pressure aromatic processing liquid. GC was used to analyse the gaseous products. High conversion of refuse into gases, mainly CO and CO* and oil, were achieved. The oxygen content of the produced oils was lower than that of the feed. At a temperature 13OO”C, the refuse conversion process was thermal while at higher temperatures, hydrogenation was catalytic.
Liquid fuels from natural gas 96103656 Fouda, S. A. Sci. Am., 1998, 278, (3), 92-95. Studies on the conversion of natural gas into liquid fuels are reviewed for making full use of natural gas resources. Processes reviewed are steam reforming, partial oxidation, Fischer-Tropsch reaction, synthesizing methanol from natural gas, etc. 98103657
98lO3661 Method of processing of waste plastics Takada, T. et al. Jpn. Kokai Tokkyo Koho JP 10 72,587 [98 72,587] (Cl. ClOGl/lO), 17 Mar 1998, JP Appl. 96/139,712, 10 May 1996, 6 pp. (In Japanese) Awaste plastics treatment method comprises mixing waste plastics, chlorine fixing agent, and at least one from a selection of petroleum-derived heavy oils, coal-derived heavy oils, waste oils and vegetable oils, and heating at 350-460°C under a non-oxidizing atmosphere.
Manufacture method of high-concentration porous
coal slurry Gkuma, 0. et al. Jpn. Kokai Tokkyo Koho JP 10 46,163 [98 46.1631 (Cl. ClOL1/32), 17 Feb 1998, Appl. 96/210,122, 8 Aug 1996, 7 pp. (In Japanese) A manufacturing method for high-concentration porous coal slurries is introduced. Porous coal is fed to a heated oil medium, of which the temperature is kept above the boiling point of water and below its initial boiling point. The porous coal is then dewatered by settling through a hot oil medium and the fraction of high-concentration coal slurries is separated.
Oil manufacture
bv thermal
decomoosition
of
plastics Shimamoto, K. et al. Jpn. Kokai Tokkyo Koho JP 10 08,067 [98 08,067] (Cl. ClOGlIlO), 13 Jan 1998, Appl. 961164,838, 25 Jun 1996, 6 pp. (In Japanese) Oiiy products are given with thermal decomposition of plastics with HzO. The process may be done in the presence of solid acid catalysts such as SiOz.AlzOs catalysts. The process is highly efficient and the resultant plastics may contain polyolefins and polystyrene.
Oil-producing apparatus for waste plastics and resin thermal decompositron method
98103663
Nishio, M. Jpn. Kokai Tokkyo Koho JP 09,291,289 [97,291,289] (Cl. ClOGlIlO), 11 Nov 1997, Appl. 961108,267, 26 Apr 1996, 7 pp. (In Japanese) The apparatus comprises a pyrolysis tank, an inert gas generating means inside the tank bodv for generating an inert zas flow against the aravitv direction, a plastic feeding means lfor supplying at least ~1 mm3 plastic particles or plastics having < 1 mm thickness to the pyrolysis tank, a heater for keeping the temperature above the pyrolysis temperature of the waste plastics, a condenser for recovery of oil fractions from the gas generated, and a screw feeder disposed at the bottom of the pyrolysis tank body for discharging the residues generated from the pyrolysis. The process facilitates waste plastics pyrolysis with improved efficiency and easy separation of residues. 98lO3664
Pilot production of biodiesel on the Nez Perce Tribe
reservation 98103658 production
Metabolic
engineering
of bacteria
for ethanol
Ingram, L. 0. et al. Biotechnol. Bioeng., 1998, 58, (2/3), 204-214. Although technologies exist that allow the conversion of lignocellulose into fuel ethanol using genetically engineered bacteria, assembling these into a cost-effective process remains a challenge. The focus of this work is mainly the genetic engineering of enteric bacteria using a portable ethanol production pathway. The general approach for the genetic engineering of new biocatalysts has thus far been most successful with enteric bacteria. However, this approach may also prove useful with Gram-positive bacteria, which have other important traits for lignocellulose conversion. Many opportunities remain for further improvements in the biomass to ethanol processes including: the development of enzyme-based systems which eliminate the need for diluted acid hydrolysis or other pre-treatments, improvements in existing pre-treatments for enzymatic hydrolysis, process improvements to increase the effective use of cellulase and hemicellulase enzymes, improvements in rates of ethanol production, decreased nutrient costs, increases in ethanol concentrations achieved in biomass beers, increased resistance of the biocatalysts to lignocellulosic-derived toxins, etc. Each of these improvements must result in a decrease in the cost for ethanol production in order to be of any use.
Methanol-mediated extraction of coal liquid. Ex98103659 traction yields and partition coefficients of phenols Sato, S. et al. Nippon Enerugi Gakkaishi, 1997, 76, (ll), 1054-1062. (In Japanese) The kerosene fraction of Wyoming coal liquid was used to develop the estimation method for the extraction yield of PhOH on MeOH-mediated extraction. The extraction yield was estimated by (M + W)I(M + W + K); M, W = the amounts of charged MeOH and water, respectively, K = a partition coefficient dependent on the percentage of water in the charged MeOH and water (Xw), but independent of the amount of charged oil. At Xw 145 wt%, a high extraction yield was expected, while it increased at Xw ~45 wt%, suggesting a decrease of the extraction yield. Similar results were obtained for cresols and ethylphenols extraction. The contamination of neutral oil was very low at Xv 260 wt%. Several preliminary experiments are sufficient to estimate the extraction ratio using K, and the range of Xw = 45-60 wt% was adequate for practical processing. This estimation method is very useful for planning an extraction process.
344
Fuel and Energy Abstracts
September 1998
Cruz, R. 0. et al.
Bioenergy
‘96, Proc. Natl. Bioenergy
Conf.,
7th. 1996, 1,
364-371.
Located at Lapwai, Idaho, the pilot project described relates to a renewable fuel from vegetable oil or animal fat and alcohol. Termed as biodiesel, the fuel is produced through a modified transesterification process and is comparable to diesel fuel with respect to chemical and physical attributes and combustion characteristics. Biodiesel is also biodegradable, cleaner burning and safer and has environmentally friendly attributes. Up to 1150 I of biodiesel is produced by the unit per batch, with initial batches of methanol and used cooking oil as raw materials. For demonstration purposes, both biodiesel and diesel are used in diesel powered vehicles and small engines. The raw materials and biodiesel are analysed and the vehicles/engines are tested for emissions and performance.
Plastic treatment apparatus and oil-producing ap98lO3665 paratus for waste plastics Nishio, M. and Kumochi, K. Jpn. Kokai Tokkyo Koho JP 09,291,290 [97,291,290] (Cl. ClOGlIlO), 11 Nov 1997, Appl. 96/108,268, 26 Apr 1996, 17 pp. (In Japanese) This apparatus produces oil by melting-pyrolysing vinyl chloride-containing waste plastics. The process comprises heating-melting the waste plastics in a first heating-melting zone at 20&27O”C to decompose phthalic acid-series plasticizer of waste plastics and not to decompose vinyl chloride. The waste plastics from the first zone are subjected to heating-melting in a second heating-melting zone at 280-300°C to decompose vinyl chloride and not the waste plastics.
Preliminary operational experience from the Bio98iO3666 mass Gasification Facility (BGF) in Pala, Hawaii Trenka, A. R. Bioenergy ‘96, Proc. Natl. Bioenergy Conf., 7th, 1996, 1, 3743. As a multi-phase effort, the BGF programme will initially demonstrate the direct gasification of bagasse for the production of hot, unprocessed gas. It will install a specially designed gasifier, based on the Institute of Gas Technology’s (IGT) patented RENUGAS process, capable of gasifying over 100 t/d of biomass. Once completed, the BGF was subjected to three test runs were conducted during 1995. The preliminary results on the operational experience with the key subsystems of the BGF, as well as the overall system performance, are presented. Bagasse handling problems