New patents awarded for production of mixed-alcohols from methanol

Maverick Biofuels, a provider of biofuels production technology, has been awarded three US patents for producing a mixed-alcohol fuel from synthesis gas (syngas) via a methanol intermediate.

Maverick develops and commercialises technology for producing renewable clean transportation fuels and bio-based chemicals using combinations of proven technologies to produce high-value products by manufacturing saleable and transportable chemical intermediates.

Its Olefinity process involves converting feedstocks, such as landfill waste, biomass and natural gas into syngas, a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen gases.

Syngas is converted to an olefin intermediate, either directly or by initially producing methanol and converting the methanol to olefins. Olefins are the building blocks of a number of useful products, including mixed-alcohol fuels, diesel fuel and polymers.

‘The increasing concern over foreign energy supplies, greenhouse gas emissions, and waste has driven national interest in using local waste streams, as well as sustainable biomass production, as feedstocks for bio-based products,’ said Sam Yenne, CEO of Maverick Biofuels. ‘Our new patents open up a range of chemical processing and product options that help convert waste into petroleum-free fuels and chemicals.’

Previously, Maverick was awarded a patent in South Africa for producing an alcohol blend usable in flexible fuel vehicles via Fischer-Tropsch synthesis. Additional patents on related process steps and technology are pending in the U.S., Brazil, India, Europe, and the Philippines.