Patent · US Active

Conversion systems for biomass

US8318453B2 · kind B2 · utility

28Cited by
4References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJul 20, 2007
Grant dateNov 27, 2012
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 30, 2029

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02W30/40
  • WIPO fieldBiotechnology
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

The efficient production of ethanol from low-cost biomass (e.g., corn, sugar beets, sugar cane, switchgrass and/or paper) has become increasingly important in making ethanol competitive with gasoline and decreasing the United States' dependence on foreign oil. For example, to reduce the cost of transporting biomass to ethanol production facilities, mobile systems for producing ethanol from biomass are provided. Also provided are small-scale ethanol production facilities. For example, instead of transporting biomass to the production facility, the facility is transported to the biomass or is located nearby the source of the biomass. The ethanol production facilities or components thereof may be transported via land, water, or air. Production of other products, such as hydrocarbons, natural gas, hydrogen gas, plastics, polymers, and proteins, can also be made by the methods and facilities. Any product described herein can be made in finished form or un-finished form and moved, e.g., to a fixed facility, e.g., fixed production facility.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.