Patent · US Active

Systems and methods for an integrated solar driven chemical plant

US8378151B2 · kind B2 · utility

10Cited by
20References
17Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 8, 2010
Grant dateFeb 19, 2013
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 23, 2031

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02T50/678
  • WIPO fieldBasic materials chemistry
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

A method, apparatus, and system for an integrated solar-driven chemical plant that manages variations in solar energy are disclosed. In some embodiments, a chemical reactant, including particles of biomass, are converted in a solar driven chemical reactor into synthesis gas containing carbon monoxide and hydrogen using concentrated solar energy to drive the conversion of the chemical reactant. The synthesis gas is supplied for a catalytic conversion of the synthesis gas in a methanol synthesis plant to methanol. Cycling occurs between an operational state and an idle state for a number of methanol trains in the methanol synthesis plant depending upon an amount of synthesis gas generated in the solar driven chemical reactor. A control system for the chemical reactor sends control signals to and receives feedback from a control system for the methanol synthesis plant.

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