In one aspect, the invention relates to a method of converting byproducts of a fermentation process into oxygen and biomass. Related methods, systems, and other aspects are also described.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating various aspects of the invention; and
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating various aspects of the invention.
Claims
1. A method of creating oxygen and biomass, comprising:
fermenting corn to produce ethanol and a gaseous byproduct;recovering the gaseous byproduct; andusing the gaseous byproduct to generate the oxygen and biomass.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the gaseous byproduct comprises CO2.
3. The method of claim 1, further including using the biomass created to produce the gaseous byproduct.
4. The method of claim 1, further including fermenting the biomass.
5. The method of claim 1, further including extracting oil from the biomass.
6. The method of claim 1, further including hydrolyzing the biomass.
7. The method of claim 1, further including milling corn, and wherein the fermenting step uses the milled corn.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the dry milling step includes cooking the milled corn using a boiler, and the method further includes using the boiler exhaust to generate the biomass.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein using the gaseous byproduct to generate the biomass includes delivering the gas to a bioreactor including a biological agent for promoting biomass growth.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the biological agent comprises cyanobacteria or algae.
11. The method of claim 9, further including the step of harvesting at least some of the biomass from the bioreactor.
12. The method of claim 1, wherein the fermentation process produces ethanol and stillage, and the method further includes recovering oil from the stillage.
13. The method of claim 12, further including the step of using the oil as fuel.
14. A method of creating biomass, comprising:
producing substantially pure CO2 using a fermentation process;recovering the CO2 from the fermentation process; andusing the CO2 to generate the biomass.
15. The method of claim 14, further including the step of using the biomass in the fermentation process.
16. The method of claim 14, wherein the fermentation process is a first fermentation process, and further including the step of using the biomass in a second fermentation process.
17. A method for producing ethanol, biomass, and oxygen from ground corn, comprising:
cooking the ground corn;fermenting the ground cooked corn to produce ethanol and CO2; andusing the CO2 to create biomass and oxygen.
18. The method of claim 17, further including the step of fermenting the biomass.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein the step of fermenting the ground cooked corn and fermenting the biomass are performed simultaneously.
20. The method of claim 18, further including the step of using the CO2 from the step of fermenting the biomass to create additional biomass and oxygen.
21. The method of claim 17, further including the step of recovering oil from the biomass.
22. A method of recycling CO2 resulting from fermentation, comprising:
fermenting a first biomass to produce CO2;using the CO2 to produce a second biomass; andfermenting the second biomass to produce CO2.
23. The method of claim 22, further including the step of fermenting the first and second biomass together.
24. A system for generating biomass, comprising:
a fermenter for producing alcohol and CO2; anda bioreactor operatively connected to the fermenter and including a biological agent capable of processing the CO2 received from the fermenter to create the biomass.
25. The system of claim 24, wherein the fermenter receives cooked ground corn and the alcohol comprises ethanol.
26. The system of claim 24, further including a boiler for cooking the ground corn and creating an exhaust gas, and a delivery line for delivering the exhaust gas to the bioreactor.
27. A system for generating biomass, comprising:
means for producing alcohol and CO2; andmeans for creating the biomass and oxygen from the CO2.
Patent Application
20070196892
