A method of synthesizing fuel from an aqueous solution includes pumping the aqueous solution, containing dissolved inorganic carbon, from a body of water into a carbon extraction unit. The method further includes extracting the dissolved inorganic carbon from the aqueous solution to create CO.sub.2 by changing a pH of the aqueous solution in the carbon extraction unit. The CO.sub.2 derived in the carbon extraction unit is received by a fuel synthesis unit, and the CO.sub.2 is converted into fuel including at least one of a hydrocarbon, an ether, or an alcohol using the fuel synthesis unit.

A method of synthesizing fuel from an aqueous solution includes pumping the aqueous solution, containing dissolved inorganic carbon, from a body of water into a carbon extraction unit. The method further includes extracting the dissolved inorganic carbon from the aqueous solution to create CO.sub.2 by changing a pH of the aqueous solution in the carbon extraction unit. The CO.sub.2 derived in the carbon extraction unit is received by a fuel synthesis unit, and the CO.sub.2 is converted into fuel including at least one of a hydrocarbon, an ether, or an alcohol using the fuel synthesis unit.

A method of synthesizing fuel from an aqueous solution includes pumping the aqueous solution, containing dissolved inorganic carbon, from a body of water into a carbon extraction unit. The method further includes extracting the dissolved inorganic carbon from the aqueous solution to create CO.sub.2 by changing a pH of the aqueous solution in the carbon extraction unit. The CO.sub.2 derived in the carbon extraction unit is received by a fuel synthesis unit, and the CO.sub.2 is converted into fuel including at least one of a hydrocarbon, an ether, or an alcohol using the fuel synthesis unit.

A process for the acid-catalyzed dehydration of ethanol, the process comprising the steps of distilling an ethanol feedstock (101) comprising at least one nitrogen-containing contaminant to form an overhead stream (102) and a bottom stream comprising ethanol (103), wherein the distillation has a reflux ratio of at least 20:1; and reacting the bottom stream in the presence of an acid catalyst to form a product stream comprising ethylene.

A process for the acid-catalyzed dehydration of ethanol, the process comprising the steps of distilling an ethanol feedstock (101) comprising at least one nitrogen-containing contaminant to form an overhead stream (102) and a bottom stream comprising ethanol (103), wherein the distillation has a reflux ratio of at least 20:1; and reacting the bottom stream in the presence of an acid catalyst to form a product stream comprising ethylene.

Polyglycerol compositions comprise no more than about 5% by weight of monoglycerol based on non-water ingredients of the polyglycerol composition, and have a combined tetraglycerol and higher polyglycerol content of at least about 55%. Methods of making such compositions from a crude glycerin comprising from 0.01 to 5 wt % of glycerol-containing compounds comprising acetate ester moieties are described.

Polyglycerol compositions comprise no more than about 5% by weight of monoglycerol based on non-water ingredients of the polyglycerol composition, and have a combined tetraglycerol and higher polyglycerol content of at least about 55%. Methods of making such compositions from a crude glycerin comprising from 0.01 to 5 wt % of glycerol-containing compounds comprising acetate ester moieties are described.

The present invention relates to products that are derived from renewable biobased 1,3-propanediol (“1,3-PDO”). In this regard, aspects of the present invention involve the use of “green chemistry” in that products of the present invention are capable of being made from a renewable source of raw material.

The present invention relates to products that are derived from renewable biobased 1,3-propanediol (“1,3-PDO”). In this regard, aspects of the present invention involve the use of “green chemistry” in that products of the present invention are capable of being made from a renewable source of raw material.

Integrated methods and systems are disclosed for the production of dimethyl ether. The method may include reforming natural gas to syngas in a first reactor; contacting the syngas produced in the first reactor with a catalyst system in a second reactor to produce dimethyl ether and carbon dioxide; and supplying steam as a cofeed to at least one of the first reactor and the second reactor in an amount sufficient to achieve a M.sub.m value of 1.4 to 1.8 or to improve the hydrocarbon or oxygenate selectivity.