公开(公告)号：US20240372112A1

公开(公告)日：2024-11-07

申请号：US18654330

申请日：2024-05-03

Applicant: Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Inventor： Andrew R. Teixeira ,  Ravindra Datta ,  Pratap Rao ,  Ari Athair ,  Cameron Armstrong ,  Muntasir Shahabuddin

IPC: H01M4/90 ,  H01M4/86 ,  H01M8/18 ,  H01M50/497

Abstract: A low temperature, liquid metal approach provides a metal-air battery at room temperature or slightly above for high current density, using ambient oxygen as an electrode without the need for high heat for an opposed metal electrode. A metal-air battery employs a low melting point metal such as gallium for an all-fluid battery having a flowing aqueous electrolyte for maintaining a large volume of electrical storage capacity separate form a relatively small reactor or cell for powering an electrical load. Reversibility of the forward discharge (load powering) reaction provides a recharging capability well suited for grid storage to moderate supply and demand variations. The result is an ultra-high density, rechargeable, safe, grid-scale electricity storage technology as an alternative to lithium-ion and solvent-based flow batteries.

公开(公告)号：US20240218271A1

公开(公告)日：2024-07-04

申请号：US18540345

申请日：2023-12-14

Applicant: Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Inventor： Michael Timko ,  Alex R. Maag ,  Elizabeth Belden ,  Geoffrey A. Tompsett ,  Andrew R. Teixeira ,  Aidin Panahi ,  Andrew Charlebois ,  Skyler Kauffman

IPC: C10G69/06 ,  C02F11/06 ,  C10B53/02 ,  C10B53/07

CPC classification number: C10G69/06 ,  C02F11/06 ,  C10B53/02 ,  C10B53/07 ,  C10G2300/1003 ,  C10G2300/80

Abstract: A waste stream of organic matter such as sewage, plant and plastic matter is received for recycling and treated with high temperature and pressure to generate useful organic products such as bio-oil and gas. Byproducts such as char and an aqueous phase including water can be selectively recycled or beingly discarded. An oxidant added to a reactor containing waste from the waste stream facilitates an autothermal reaction under the temperature and pressure applied to the reactor, boosting the temperature slightly from the reactions therein. The reactor generates useful hydrocarbons such as bio-oil resulting from disruption of organic bonds. A combination of oxidation and radical initiation results from the oxidant, and provides an increased yield of bio-oil while decreasing char when compared to temperature and pressure alone. A stoichiometric quantity of the oxidant limits complete conversion of carbon into carbon dioxide by limiting available oxygen and therefore favoring hydrocarbon formation.

公开(公告)号：US20240409427A1

公开(公告)日：2024-12-12

申请号：US18736950

申请日：2024-06-07

Applicant: Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Inventor： Andrew R. Teixeira ,  Michael T. Timko ,  David Kenney

IPC: C01F11/18

Abstract: A recycling and waste management process receives municipal solid waste (MSW) with substantial organic content to form a self-sustaining Hydrothermal Mineralization (HTM) process based on Supercritical Water Oxidation (SCWO) to receive supercritical steam and carbon dioxide with potential for electrical generation before forming calcium carbonate suitable for concrete production. Hydrothermal mineralization (HTM) provides a rapid elimination of organic wastes while simultaneously producing a non-emissive and thermally stable cement additive to act as a carbon sink. Hydrothermal mineralization (HTM) provides a rapid disposal pathway for organic wastes, a green source of electricity and a final product that can be coupled with traditional and alternative cement productions to reduce carbon footprints of cement production.

公开(公告)号：US20230348792A1

公开(公告)日：2023-11-02

申请号：US18140275

申请日：2023-04-27

Applicant: Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Inventor： Michael Timko ,  Heather LeClerc ,  Geoffrey A. Tompsett ,  Alex R. Maag ,  Andrew R. Teixeira

IPC: C10G3/00

CPC classification number: C10G3/50 ,  C10G2300/1003 ,  C10G2300/1014 ,  C10G2300/1018 ,  C10G2400/06 ,  C10G2300/4006

Abstract: Methods for obtaining a biocrude intermediate by hydrothermal liquefaction of plant wastes are provided. Using a waste feed having a high cellulose content, the method involves grinding the waste feed to obtain a pulverized waste feed, and subjecting the pulverized waste feed to hydrothermal liquefaction at a temperature at or greater than at about 250° C. At this temperature or greater a catalyst is not necessary to obtain the biocrude. A lower temperature can be used, such as greater than about 150° C. in presence of a catalyst. The step of grinding the plant material, for example ball grinding, reduces particle size and crystallinity, and combined with the high temperature treatment improves the yield of biocrude. Biocrude can be upgraded to biofuel by high temperature hydrodeoxygenating in the presence of hydrogen. Plant wastes that would otherwise contribute green house gases are instead converted to fuels.