Cellulosic Ethanol vs. Biomass Gasification
Posted by Robert Rapier on Thursday October 26, 2006 at 9:20 AM EST
Topic: Alternative energy
Tags: ethanol, cellulose, biomass gasification, BTL, Vinod Khosla, Kergy (all tags)
Introduction
I have this neat new cellulose conversion process. I am looking for funding and working on a patent application. The invention is a personal cellulosic biomass reactor. In the first reaction step, the cellulose is partially converted to CO and H2 (syngas). In the second step, one could do many things with the syngas: produce methanol, ethanol, Fischer-Tropsch diesel, or combust it for heat or electricity. I chose the combustion for heat route, which occurs very rapidly following the 1st step. The combustion products are CO2 and water, but the CO2 that is released is equivalent to the CO2 that was taken up by the biomass while it was growing. It is therefore neutral with respect to Greenhouse Gas emissions. I am hoping to get some government subsidies, or possibly Silicon Valley startup money for my invention. You can see a picture of it below.
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