United States Patent Application: 0020072109
This will be an overly-long dispatch, and we apologize for it's extent. But, there is a lot of ground to cover.
We have, over the past several years, presented many reports documenting the genuine potentials which exist for the productive, and profitable, recycling of Carbon Dioxide: whether naturally-occurring, such as the vast quantities of it emitted by volcanoes; or, human-derived, such as the CO2 generated in the processes of cement-making.
We have focused, in those reports, primarily on the direct, industrial recycling and usage of Carbon Dioxide, as seen more recently in:
ConocoPhillips Recycles Even More CO2 | Research & Development; which includes the details of: "United States Patent 7,273,893 - Process for Converting Carbon Dioxide to Oxygenates; 2007; Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company, Houston; Abstract: A catalyst and process for converting ... a feed comprising carbon dioxide and hydrogen into methanol and dimethyl ether"; and, in:
More USDOE CO2 "Syntrolysis" | Research & Development; wherein is disclosed some facts concerning:
"Co-Electrolysis of Steam and Carbon Dioxide for Production of Syngas; 2007; Idaho National Laboratory; USDOE; Abstract: An experimental study ... of ... simultaneously electrolyzing steam and carbon dioxide for the direct production of syngas".
However, we have as well documented the potentials which exist for utilizing biological agents, such as certain types of ancient bacteria, which appear to be responsible in any case, as we have earlier documented, for at least some commercially-developed Natural Gas deposits.
Those "archeao"- bacteria can survive in extreme environments, without the need for sunlight; and, they derive the energy they need to exist by facilitating and promoting rather complex reactions of chemical reduction, some of which involve the conversion of Carbon Dioxide, and other Carbon sources, into Methane and related hydrocarbon compounds.
More familiar to most of us, though, are the photosynthetic processes of "green" plants, which capture the energy of sunlight and use it to power the conversion of Carbon Dioxide, extracted from the environment, into various sugars and carbohydrates, which the plants then use in their own processes of metabolism and growth.
We have reported on some developments that have been underway around the world to utilize the power of photosynthesis, especially as it is expressed in and utilized by fast-growing algae, in the recycling of Carbon Dioxide, as, for instance, in:
Honeywell Recycles CO2 with Algae | Research & Development; concerning: "Honeywell's UOP Awarded Funding for Carbon Dioxide Reuse Through Algae Biofuel Production; Honeywell ... announced today that it has been awarded a $1.5 million cooperative agreement from the U.S. Department of Energy for a project to demonstrate technology to capture carbon dioxide and produce algae for use in biofuel and energy production.Algal oil can ... be extracted from the algae for conversion to biofuels"; and, in:
USDOE Biotechnology Converts CO2 to Diesel Fuel | Research & Development; which details: "CO2 Sources for Microalgae-based Liquid Fuel Production; Researchers ... are developing species of microalgae that have high percentages of lipids, or oils. These lipids can be extracted and converted to diesel fuel".
Herein, via the initial link in this dispatch, and a few more to follow, we learn that our USDOE has been financing similar efforts fairly close to the Ohio Valley main artery of US Coal Country.
In this case, in addition to Algae, certain strains of, perhaps more hardy and even faster-growing, pigmented "cyano-bacteria" are also employed as the harvesters and processors of power plant Carbon Dioxide.
Comments, and additional references, follow excerpts from that initial link to:
"US Patent Application 20020072109 - Enhanced Practical Photosynthetic CO2 Mitigation
Date: June, 2002
Inventors: David Bayless, et. al., Ohio
(Though not published in the Application, Bayless and his co-inventors, as we will further document via references to follow, are on the faculty of Ohio University, in Athens, OH.)
Abstract: This process is unique in photosynthetic carbon sequestration. An on-site biological sequestration system directly decreases the concentration of carbon-containing compounds in the emissions of fossil generation units. In this process, photosynthetic microbes are attached to a growth surface arranged in a containment chamber that is lit by solar photons. A harvesting system ensures maximum organism growth and rate of CO2 uptake. Soluble carbon and nitrogen concentrations delivered to the cyanobacteria are enhanced, further increasing growth rate and carbon utilization.
Government Interests: The U.S. Government has a paid up license in this invention and the right in limited circumstances to require the patent owner to license others on reasonable terms as provided for by the terms of Program Solicitation Number DE-PS26-99FT40613 awarded by the U.S. Department of Energy.
Claims: A method for removing a carbon-containing compound from a flowing gas stream, the method comprising: interposing at least one membrane in the gas stream; and, depositing on the membrane a photosynthetic microbe selected from the group of algae and cyanobacteria.
(And) wherein said carbon-containing compound is carbon dioxide.
Background and Field: This invention generally relates to gas cleaning systems, and more specifically to a biologically-based absorbing apparatus and method to reduce emissions from fossil burning units.
Clearly, other approaches (aside from those specified and being publicly discussed) for CO2 control are needed. Research to develop a robust portfolio of carbon management options, including safe and effective photosynthetic carbon recycling, will enable continued use of coal in electrical power generation.
Summary: A method for removing a carbon-containing compound from a flowing gas stream is performed by interposing in the stream a membrane having photosynthetic microbes, such as algae and cyanobacteria, deposited thereon. Applying water and nutrients to the membrane sustains the growth of the microbes, and increasing the volume of water harvests the microbes from the membrane.
The invention is suitable for application at existing and future fossil units.
With photosynthetic carbon recycling, useful carbon-containing biomass and oxygen are produced from the carbon dioxide. As described, biomass has a number of beneficial uses, including as a fuel to offset the use of fossil fuels, as a soil stabilizer, fertilizer, or in the generation of biofuels (such as ethanol or biodiesel) for transportation use."
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Though not reflected in our excerpts, the inventors note that any dry biomass, remaining after the extraction of the Algal oils, i.e., "biodiesel", can be recycled back into the feed of Coal, for combustion in the power plant, an option that would help us to conserve our Coal resources and provide an additional route of Carbon Dioxide recycling.
As in the above statement of "Government Interests", this CO2-recycling invention did result from research performed by Ohio University for our United States Department of Energy.
Following is direct documentation of that research effort, which could provide more details of the Carbon Dioxide utilization technology represented by US Patent Application 20020072109:
Energy Citations Database (ECD) - - Document #888741
View Document or Access Individual Pages; DOI:10.2172/888741
"OSTI ID: 888741; DOE Contract Number: FC26-00NT40932
Title: Enhanced Practical Photosynthetic CO2 Mitigation
Date: January, 2006
Authors: Gregory Kremer, David Bayless, et. al.
Research Organization: Ohio University; Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
Abstract: This final report highlights significant achievements in the Enhanced Practical Photosynthetic CO2 Mitigation Project during the period from 10/1/2001 through 01/02/2006. As indicated in the list of accomplishments below, our efforts during this project were focused on the selection of candidate organisms and growth surfaces and initiating long-term tests in the bench-scale and pilot-scale bioreactor test systems. Specific results and accomplishments for the program (are specified)."
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By way of supplemental information, we note that the lead named inventor of Application 20020072109, David Bayless, as learned via: Homepage of David Bayless (Dr. David J. Bayless); is the Director of the Ohio Coal Research Center, as accessible via:
OHIO : Ohio Coal Research Center at Ohio University; "One of the nation’s leading academic energy research organizations, the Ohio Coal Research Center is committed to providing innovative solutions to maintain our nation’s fuel diversity in the production of environmentally safe and reliable electric power. The center creates new technologies for the clean use of coal in existing power plants and develops more efficient processes for converting coal to electricity, liquid fuels, and even biofuels. The center’s work is funded by major governmental agencies, foundations, and industry partners. The leader of the State of Ohio’s Coal Research Consortium and part of Ohio University’s Consortium for Energy, Economics and the Environment (CE3), the center provides critical public policy input and integrates cutting edge energy developments with watershed restoration efforts and air pollution monitoring, as well as economic development issues. The result is a strong voice that supports the development of Appalachian energy resources and protects the health and well-being of the environment."
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We close this extended report here, although there is actually quite a lot more, we discovered in the course of researching the origins and background of our subject US Patent Application 20020072109, concerning the use of Algae, and other micro-organisms, for the practical recycling of Carbon Dioxide.
We will make effort to bring some of that information to you in the near future, since, as indicated to a certain extent by the information we've presented herein, the use of Algae, or Bacteria, to process Carbon Dioxide, can result in the evolution of a range of products, in addition to just more liquid hydrocarbon fuels, and, we believe those potentials should not be ignored.
However, it is clear, from the work of Bayless and his colleagues, that technologies are available which would enable us to undertake, as Ohio University states, practical "photosynthetic carbon recycling" wherein "useful" and needed products are generated, including "biofuels (such as ethanol or biodiesel) for transportation use."