Process for the production of alcohols
US9051585B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 12, 2008 |
| Grant date | Jun 9, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 10, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E50/30
- WIPO fieldBiotechnology
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Process for producing C2+ alcohols from a methane-containing feedstock, by passing the methane-containing feedstock and CO2 to a non-oxidative reforming process to produce a product stream containing CO, H2 and CO2, optionally in the presence of steam, provided that where steam is present in the feed to the reforming process, the steam and CO2 are present in a molar ratio of less than 5:1. The CO, H2 and CO2 stream is passed to a bacterial fermentation step where it is converted to a liquid product stream containing one or more C2+ alcohols and a gaseous product stream containing CO, H2 and CO2. The fermentation step is operated to provide a conversion of CO of at least 60%. CO, H2 and CO2 are recycled from the gaseous product stream to the reforming process such that the H2 reacts with carbon dioxide in the reforming process.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.