California Hydrogasifies, and Recycles, Even More Carbon

United States Patent Application: 0050256212

We have previously cited two of the University of California scientists, and the Coal and Carbon conversion technologies they have developed, named in this report, as in, from late last year:

California Hydrogasifies Coal & Carbon-Recycling Wastes | Research & Development | News; "US Patent 7,500,997 - Steam Pyrolysis ... to Enhance the Hydro-Gasification of Carbonaceous Materials; 2009; Inventors: Joseph Norbeck and Collin Hackett, Riverside, CA; Assignee: The Regents of the University of California; Abstract: A process and apparatus for producing a synthesis gas for use as a gaseous fuel or as feed into a Fischer-Tropsch reactor to produce a liquid fuel in a substantially self-sustaining process. (And) wherein the carbonaceous material (utilized as raw material) comprises municipal waste, biomass, wood, coal, or a natural or synthetic polymer."

 

General Electric Recycles CO2 to Liquid Fuels

United States Patent Application: 0070149392

We've previously documented that the venerable General Electric Corporation has been at work developing technologies for the conversion of Coal into more versatile hydrocarbons.

An example would include: General Electric Hydrogenates Coal | Research & Development | News; wherein is detailed: ""United States Patent 3,556,749 - Apparatus and Method for the Hydrogenation of Coal; 1971;

Assignee: General Electric Company, NY; Abstract: The conversion of coal into methane".

USDOE Hydrogenates More Coal with Methane

United States Patent: 4563197

In a report last year: USDOE Hydrogenates Coal with Methane | Research & Development | News; we recorded the USDOE-developed technology: United States Patent: 4687570 -  "Direct Use of Methane in Coal Liquefaction; 1987; Inventors: Muthu Sundaram and Meyer Steinberg, NY; Assignee: The USA; Abstract: This invention relates to a process for converting solid carbonaceous material, such as coal, to liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons utilizing methane.".

Herein, we learn that such USDOE- patented Coal conversion technology, utilizing Methane, was actually predated by one similar, developed in the same National Laboratory by one of USP 4,687,570's co-inventors.

 

And, Even More 1940 CO2 + H2O + CH4 = Syngas

Method of preparing mixtures of carbon monoxide and hydrogen

We've sent you a number of reports concerning the former New York company, M.W. Kellogg, and their development, before and during WWII, of technologies that would have enabled, even then, the productive recycling of Carbon Dioxide in the synthesis of hydrocarbon fuels.

Two of those have included:

1940 CO2 + H2O + CH4 = Hydrocarbon Syngas | Research & Development | News; in which is disclosed:

"US Patent 2,198,553 - Making a Synthesis Gas Mixture of Carbon Monoxide and Hydrogen; April, 1940; Assignee: The M.W. Kellogg Company, NY; Abstract: Our invention relates to a method of making synthesis gas ... from methane, steam and carbon dioxide."; and:

 

USDOE Pays Utah to Liquefy Coal

United States Patent: 5308477

As in: USDOE Funds Utah Coal Liquefaction Catalyst Improvements | Research & Development | News; which concerns: "US Patent 4,134,822 - Minimizing ... Catalyst Requirements for Coal Hydrogenation-Liquefaction; 1979; Inventors: Ralph Wood, Wendell Wiser, et. al.; Assignee: University of Utah; Abstract: A process for reducing the amount of catalyst required for coal hydrogenation-liquefaction"; we have previously reported on the USDOE-funded development, by the University of Utah, of Coal conversion technology.

A number of other reports concerning their work are to follow, but we wanted to get this one out of the way first, since it poses some technical conundrums for us.