Methods and systems for producing bio-methanol can include anaerobic digestion of a biomass feedstock to produce biogas including methane and carbon dioxide, partial oxidation of the biogas with oxygen from water electrolysis to produce syngas, synthesizing bio-methanol from the syngas and hydrogen from the water electrolysis, storing the bio-methanol, intermittently using battery based electricity to power the electrolysis during peak electricity demand, and intermittently using renewable electricity from another source during off-peak demand. Electricity can also optionally be obtained by periodically combusting a portion of the bio-methanol. The techniques provide a route for the production of bio-methanol without the engagement of fossil fuels as feedstocks and mitigating fossil fuel derived greenhouse gas emissions from processing and utilization of transportation fuels and commercial or industrial alcohols.

The present disclosure is related to systems and methods for the biological processing of hydrocarbon-containing substances. In particular embodiments, the systems and methods herein relate to pre-digestion of hydrocarbon containing substances and further processing of the same to produce hydrocarbon fuels, fertilizer, and other products.

The invention provides for the integration of a gas fermentation process with a gasification process whereby effluent downstream from the gas fermentation process is recycled to the gasification process. The invention is capable of recycling one or more effluents including biogas generated from a wastewater treatment process, tail-gas generated from the fermentation process, unused syngas generated by the gasification process, microbial biomass generated from the fermentation process, microbial biomass generated from a wastewater treatment process, crude ethanol from the product recovery process, fusel oil from the product recovery process, microbial biomass depleted water, wastewater generated from the fermentation process, and clarified water from a wastewater treatment process to a gasification process.

A biogas treatment process is integrated with a water treatment process to adjust the pH level of the water and to provide more effective disinfection of the water. A water wash process is utilized to separate methane and carbon dioxide present in the biogas. During the water wash process, the biogas is mixed with water and the carbon dioxide is absorbed into the water. Because the process typically occurs at an elevated pressure and reduced temperature to enhance the solubility of carbon dioxide in water, the water stream becomes supersaturated with carbon dioxide. This water stream, which is supersaturated with carbon dioxide, is provided to the water treatment process to adjust the pH level of the water treatment process. The pH level is regulated to a desired level such that an increased relative concentration of hypochlorous acid is produced when sodium hypochlorite is added to the treatment process.

A multi-stage system comprising a digester, a bioreactor, a scrubber, a biofilter, and a membrane filter extracts and purifies biogas from a wastewater feed. The digester separates raw biogas from wastewater, the wastewater is then purified with a three-stage bacterial process in a bioreactor. The scrubber receives raw biogas from the digester under pressure, dissolving waste gases and purifying the methane, which can be further condensed and purified in the membrane filter. The bioreactor receives waste gases from the scrubber and membrane filter, with the ammonia portion of the waste gases rising through water from the bioreactor and being converted by annamox bacteria into nitrogen gas. The multiply recycled gas and water feeds produce a biogas having high purity and reduced atmospheric emissions of waste gases.

Methods for generating methane from animal waste by anaerobic digestion using bacteria. A screen separator removes suspended solids greater in size than a predetermined size ranging from about 50 μ to about 150 μ. An electrocoagulation unit electrochemically hydrolyses the waste, causing particles to settle out. A dissolved carbon air flotation has a CO.sub.2 bubbler for separating large particles from small particles by flotation. An anaerobic digester produces biogas. The digester has a biocurtain for growing the bacteria and a heat exchanger for heating the bacteria. The biocurtain surface is convoluted to retain the bacteria. A membrane module removes CO.sub.2. A knock out pot for removes droplets of water. A scrubber removes water vapor, particulates, and contaminant gas. A compressor boosts pressure. A gas chromatograph monitors the biogas composition. A flare skid lowers excess pressure for safety. Biogas is injected into a local pipeline system. A process control is used for controlling the anaerobic waste digestion system.

A method of processing enhanced biosolids from a wastewater treatment plant to produce an output mixture. The method includes providing one or more volumes of an input mixture that has an input mixture viscosity. The input mixture includes the enhanced biosolids, which have been subjected to shear forces and mixed in a mixing vessel. The enhanced biosolids are partially hydrolyzed biosolids with an input solids content between 4% and 16% by weight of the input mixture. The input mixture also includes sufficient process liquid to result in the output mixture having an output solids content between 3% and 13% by weight of the output mixture. The input mixture is stored in a storage vessel in which the input mixture is subjected to anaerobic conditions and hydrolysis over a predetermined tie period, to form the output mixture having an output mixture viscosity that is less than the input mixture viscosity.

The present disclosure is related to systems and methods for the biological processing of hydrocarbon-containing substances. In particular embodiments, the systems and methods herein relate to pre-digestion of hydrocarbon containing substances and further processing of the same to produce hydrocarbon fuels, fertilizer, and other products.

A waste treatment system 100 for performing a hydrothermal treatment of wastes includes a hydrothermal treatment device 10 for performing the hydrothermal treatment by bringing steam into contact with the wastes, a storage facility 8, 9 for storing a fuel produced from a reactant of the hydrothermal treatment, and a heat recovery steam generator 18 for generating the steam to be supplied to the hydrothermal treatment device 10. The heat recovery steam generator 18 is configured to generate the steam by using a combustion energy generated by combustion of the fuel stored in the storage facility 8, 9.

The present disclosure relates to methods of reducing nitrogen and phosphorus recycled back to a liquid stream by subjecting digested sludge to post aerobic digestion (PAD) in the presence of at least one alkaline compound containing calcium.