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A Glimpse into Patent Technologies in Bioenergy

2008-01-07View Original

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An Overview of Patent Technologies in Bioenergy: Bioenergy refers to a new type of energy that is obtained by artificially extracting, concentrating, and processing the chemical energy stored in biological materials – energy that green plants, algae, bacteria, etc. capture through photosynthesis by absorbing solar energy and storing it via metabolic processes. It is a renewable energy source. As non-renewable resources such as oil become increasingly depleted, bioenergy is gradually emerging as an alternative energy source that countries and enterprises are focusing on developing. For example, in January 2006, the U.S. President’s State of the Union address stated that the United States intended to make bioethanol a fuel for vehicles on par with gasoline within six years. Germany plans to replace nuclear energy entirely with bioenergy, and ultimately replace non-renewable energy sources as well. In 2005, Germany’s biodiesel consumption exceeded 1.2 million tons, making it one of the countries in the world that uses the most biodiesel. Brazil is even a model for the global development and utilization of bioenergy. Currently, bioenergy accounts for about 13.6% of the global energy consumption structure, while in Brazil it makes up over 40%; the country’s annual consumption of bioethanol alone is around 11 billion liters.   China has decades of technical expertise in the field of bioenergy; its overall technical capabilities rank among the top three in the world, with leadership in many key areas. Its capacity for industrial development in this sector also ranks among the top two globally. Due to the persistently high international oil prices, and as the central and local governments in our country have successively introduced policies to promote the use of bioenergy, China’s bioenergy industry is about to enter a new phase of rapid development. Currently, large bioenergy plants with a design capacity of over 100,000 tons have been established in regions such as Sichuan and Anhui in China, and their technical level and manufacturing capabilities rank among the best in the world.   In order to further improve the level of development and industrialization of bioenergy technology in our country, the Ministry of Science and Technology has issued the \"Research Plan for ‘Bioenergy Technology Development and Industrialization’ within the 863 Program’s fields of biology and modern agriculture,\" calling on enterprises and institutions across the country to carry out innovative research in five key areas: fuel ethanol, biodiesel, biogas technology, equipment for processing agricultural and forestry waste into cold-formed pellet fuels, and the production of ethylene from bioethanol. Among them, the guiding research directions for fuel ethanol projects are: the key technologies for producing fuel ethanol based on starchy raw materials, sugary raw materials, and lignocellulosic raw materials, as well as the key common supporting technologies for fuel ethanol production. The guiding research directions for biodiesel projects are: to examine the impact of acid value, fatty acid distribution, and fatty acid unsaturation in the raw materials on the reaction process; to develop new processing techniques suitable for raw materials of various qualities; and to explore technologies for the purification or further processing of glycerol as a by-product ; Development of highly active solid catalysts and technologies for their large-scale production ; Conduct pilot-scale studies on the new process to address various engineering issues that arise during scale-up, and evaluate the technical and economic viability of the new process ; Research on Mobile Biodiesel Production Equipment and Associated Processes ; Design, construction, and operation of process package for industrial demonstration production units of 20,000 to 50,000 tons scale. As the related projects under the 863 Program advance, there will be a significant increase in bioenergy technologies with independent intellectual property rights in China.   Distribution of bioenergy patent technologies in our country: First, the technology for producing ethylene from bioethanol. For example, reference 01822680.9 relates to a method for converting oxidized compounds into olefin products. It brings the molecular sieve catalyst into contact with oxygen-containing compounds in the oxygen-containing compound conversion zone, causing a portion of these compounds to be converted into olefin products ; Secondly, it separates the catalyst from the olefin products and sends a portion of the separated catalyst to the regenerator ; Once again, it brings the regenerated catalyst into contact with an alcohol selected from methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol, 1-butanol, or mixtures thereof in the alcohol contact zone ; Finally, it transfers the catalyst that has been in contact with alcohol from the alcohol contact zone to the oxide conversion zone, thereby producing ethylene, propylene, and butylene.   Second, biogas production technology. For example, document number 200510037108.9 relates to a method and device for producing biogas from the residues of water hyacinth plants. The steps include: spraying the leaves of water hyacinth with herbicides to cause the roots to rot, resulting in the plants losing water and collapsing; once the water hyacinth has lost weight due to water loss, the remaining plant debris is collected ; The residues of water hyacinth plants are placed in a soaking tank and mixed with domestic wastewater for soaking; the plants are then crushed using a double shear mixer, and an appropriate amount of fermenting agent is added to produce a fermented material made from those plant residues ; The fermented material is then sent to a fermentation tank containing water hyacinth plant residues for anaerobic fermentation, to produce biogas. Water hyacinth is a typical invasive species with an extremely high reproductive capacity, posing a serious threat to freshwater ecosystem security. Moreover, water hyacinth cannot be used as feed for poultry and livestock, nor is it suitable for paper production; it has little value for industrial or agricultural use. This technology can turn waste into treasure, turning water hyacinths into an important source of fuel.   Third, fuel ethanol production technology. For example, document No. 02145503.1 relates to azeotropic distillation process and apparatus for fuel ethanol heat pumps. It consists of an ethanol dehydration tower, a entrainer recovery tower, and an alcohol recovery tower. The steam from the tops of these three towers is pressurized and heated before being used directly as a heat source for the reboilers at the bottom of the towers. No condenser is required at the tower tops, nor are any utility systems such as boiler heating systems or circulation pumps needed; the entire material flow system operates in a fully closed manner. Document 03127107.3 relates to an improved process for the wet production of fuel ethanol. Document No. 200410034454.7 relates to a saccharification and nutrition complex enzyme specific for alcohol and fuel ethanol, as well as its applications. Document 200410094085.0 relates to a method for producing fuel ethanol.   Fourth, the production technology of biofuel. For example, document number 01138935.4 relates to a method for producing propane liquefied gas and high-octane gasoline using plant fibers. It includes the following steps: Plant fibers such as corn straw, rice straw, and reed are subjected to a vacuum dry distillation and pyrolysis reaction to produce a mixture of carbon monoxide and propane; this mixture is separated using PSA pressure swing adsorption to yield hydrogen gas, which is then produced and purified, while carbon dioxide is recovered to produce propane liquefied gas. The CO, CO2, and H2 obtained in these steps are used in an ICI low-pressure process to synthesize methanol; finally, methanol is converted into gasoline using the MTG process.   Fifth, the preparation technology of microbial oil. For example, reference 01814301.6 relates to a process for separating microbial oil; for instance, the cell walls of microbial cells are first lysed to release the oil ; Secondly, isolate oils from cell wall fragments. Furthermore, document 03814383.6 relates to a preparation process for microbial oil containing polyunsaturated fatty acids.   Sixth, the invention of biodiesel. For example, reference 01805562.1 relates to a fuel composition containing biodiesel and a surfactant, characterized in that the surfactant comprises a mixture of an alkanolamide, an alkoxylated alcohol, and an alkoxylated fatty acid or its derivatives. Document No. 02813303.X relates to biodiesel and Fischer-Tropsch synthesized hydrocarbon blend oils, as well as to blending components for use as fuel in compression-ignition engines and to methods for adjusting the density of hydrocarbon fuels.   Seventh, the preparation method of biodiesel. For example, document number 200410038292.4 relates to a method for preparing biodiesel using solid acid or base catalysis. It is characterized by the production of biodiesel through an ester exchange reaction between soybean oil and methanol in the presence of a solid acid or solid base catalyst. After the reaction is complete, the catalyst is first separated from the reaction solution using a centrifuge, after which the mixture is allowed to settle; the upper layer contains the crude product, while the lower layer consists of a mixture of glycerol and methanol. Biodiesel is obtained by water-bath distillation of the upper layer of crude ester, while pure glycerin is obtained by water-bath distillation of the lower layer; the methanol distilled off can be recycled. Document 200510036639.6 relates to a method for producing biodiesel through the transesterification of bio-catalyzed oils with high acid values. Document No. 03114294.X relates to a method for producing biodiesel via biocatalytic transesterification of oils and fats. Document 01107895.2 relates to a method for producing biodiesel. It is made from acidified vegetable oil, sewage oil, and recycled frying oil; after esterification, the methyl ester is distilled under vacuum. An appropriate amount of polymerization inhibitor is added during the distillation of the methyl ester to prevent further polymerization, thereby increasing the yield of the methyl ester. During the distillation process after the esterification reaction, the distillate is cooled to zero degrees Celsius; after filtering out the precipitates, the resulting liquid is biodiesel. Document No. 200480007538.X relates to a method and apparatus for refining biodiesel. Document 200510073176.0 relates to a method for producing biodiesel using microalgae oils. Furthermore, document 200310117290.X relates to a new method for producing biodiesel from vegetable oil. It is characterized in that plant oils and small-molecule alcohols are used as reactants, a cosolvent is added, and an ester exchange reaction is carried out under supercritical conditions to convert fatty acid glycerides into fatty acid small-molecule alcohol esters, namely biodiesel. Document No. 200510131852.5 relates to a new process for producing biodiesel from swill oil with a high acid value. It is characterized by using waste animal and plant fats and oils as well as small-molecule alcohols as reactants; a catalyst is added, and an ester exchange reaction takes place at normal pressure to convert fatty acid glycerides into fatty acid small-molecule alcohol esters, namely biodiesel. In this process, the molar ratio of small molecular alcohols to vegetable and animal oils is 3 to 9 to 1, and bio-diesel is produced after a reaction period of 5 to 7 hours. Document 200410013796.0 relates to a production process for biodiesel obtained through the fermentation of rapeseed. It consists of the following steps: raw material pretreatment, strain cultivation, neutralization, followed by washing, drying, and fractionation. Using this process, an average of 245 kilograms of biodiesel can be produced per ton of rapeseed, with 10% by-product in the form of glycerin and feed yeast. Document 200510123492.4 relates to the application of using high erucic acid rapeseed oil as a raw material for the production of biodiesel and methyl erucate. Document 200610055167.3 relates to a method for preparing biodiesel using microwaves. Document No. 200610055172.4 relates to a method for producing biodiesel using a medium-temperature and low-pressure process. Document 200510043766.9 relates to a method for preparing biodiesel using salt-tolerant plants as raw materials.   Eighth, inventions in biodiesel catalysts, additives, and stabilizers. For example, document number 200510040898.6 relates to a biodiesel catalyst and a method for synthesizing biodiesel using this catalyst. Document 03825109.4 relates to a method for improving the storage stability of biodiesel. Document 98811315.5 relates to an additive for biodiesel and biofuel oils.   Ninth, the preparation method of bio-oil. For example, document number 02145154.0 relates to a method for catalytic cracking and refining bio-oil. Document 02111779.9 relates to a method for preparing biooil from biomass hydrolysis residues. Document No. 200510033827.3 relates to a method for producing liquid bioenergy using monosaccharides, oligosaccharides, and their sugar alcohols. The method includes the following steps: using monosaccharides, oligosaccharides, and their sugar alcohols as raw materials, adding methanol, a dehydrating agent, and concentrated sulfuric acid to carry out a reflux reaction in order to etherify the sugars ; Distill at 70 to 70 degrees Celsius, and collect the condensate ; Or add dry calcium hydroxide to remove concentrated sulfuric acid, filter, and collect the filtrate ; The resulting condensate or filtrate is the etherified bioenergy.   Tenth, inventions in devices and equipment. For example, document number 200510009735.1 relates to a boiler that is capable of pyrolyzing biomass fuel to simultaneously produce bio-oil, combustible gas, activated carbon, thermal energy, steam, or hot water. It consists of a feeding system, an external heating pyrolysis unit, a heat-exchange pyrolysis unit, a boiler, etc. Its feeding system is capable of dehydrating, degassing, and heating biomass fuel to maximize its energy density ; An external heating pyrolysis device can rapidly pyrolyze the prepared fuel in a high-temperature environment to produce pyrolysis gas. A heat-exchange type pyrolysis device uses the high-temperature pyrolysis gas at 900°C generated by the external heating pyrolysis device to pyrolyze biomass materials under anaerobic conditions, thereby producing activated carbon; it can also generate biooil, combustible gases, activated carbon, thermal energy, etc., either as by-products or as the main output.   Furthermore, document 03825289.9 relates to a method and apparatus for manufacturing biodiesel. Document 200610024679.3 relates to a method and apparatus for manufacturing biodiesel. It adds a certain amount of a mixture of fatty acids, oleic acid, acidified oil, and gutter oil, or one of these substances, into the reaction tank. Methanol is then added in a ratio of 5%–10%, and the mixture is heated and stirred for 15 minutes. Butanol is added in a ratio of 5%–10%, polyethylene-vinyl acetate is added at a ratio of 0.1%, octyl nitrate is added at a ratio of 0.1%, and alkyl naphthalene is added at a ratio of 0.05%. The mixture is then heated and stirred for another 5 minutes ; Then, ethylenediamine and calcium cyclohexanecarboxylate with a concentration of 0.1%–0.2% are added, and after heating and stirring for 5 minutes, biodiesel is obtained. Its device consists of a reaction tank, a high-speed stirring unit, an operation platform, a frame, and a PLC control system. Document 01134142.4 relates to a low-cost, pollution-free biomass liquefaction process and apparatus. Document No. 200510011104.3 relates to a method and apparatus for preparing liquid fuel through the pyrolysis of steam-explosion straw fermentation residues. Document No. 200410064280.9 relates to a production device for vehicle biodiesel and its manufacturing method. The production unit includes: a reactor, a first flash tower, a heater, a heat exchanger, a second flash tower, a sedimentation separator, a vacuum distillation tower, a neutralization washer, and a desulfurization and refining tower. It is characterized in that the reactor is divided into a first tubular reactor and a second tubular reactor, and a first flash tower and a heater are provided between the first tubular reactor and the second tubular reactor. Document No. 200510057215.8 relates to a process method for the pyrolytic liquefaction of biomass and its double-tower device system.   The trend in patent deployment abroad is worth learning from. In China, patent applications focus on process methods; there are few patents related to equipment, and even fewer patents for bioenergy products. Patents related to \"petro-biotechnology\", which have a wide industrial application scope and strong market monopoly power, are even rarer. China’s major scientific research programs such as 863 also focus on process and equipment research, without giving sufficient attention to more fundamental research on new products, new applications, and new petroleum biotechnologies.   For example, petroleum organisms are organisms that can be used as fuel oil or petroleum products after processing such as purification or fermentation. To date, many oil-producing organisms have been discovered worldwide, mainly some plants from the families Apocynaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Asteraceae, and Fabaceae, such as rapeseed, castor bean, Jatropha, Sapium sebiferum, soybean, peanuts, etc. In addition, there are more than 300 types of shrubs and over 400 types of flowers worldwide that belong to petroleum organisms. In addition to plants, microorganisms can also serve as petroleum organisms. For example, Japanese scientists have discovered that a type of freshwater algae belongs to petroleum organisms. It has a high carbon dioxide absorption rate and strong capacity for biofuel extraction. Its algae mass, weighing about two grams, can grow to ten grams within ten days, containing approximately five grams of biofuel. In principle, all such research achievements can be protected by patents.   In addition to newly discovered uses for biological products and newly isolated and purified organisms, petroleum-based organisms that have been improved through breeding and quality enhancement can also be patented. Currently, the West **is working on breeding and improving the quality of the over forty species of oil-producing organisms that have been discovered, while also striving to register patents for them. For example, the document with publication number JP2006055127 relates to a method and apparatus for culturing microorganisms, microorganisms prepared by this method, and a method for producing hydrogen fuel using such microorganisms. In fact, the oil-producing organisms used in the future are likely to be limited to a few selected organisms with high efficiency. Obtaining patents for the relevant organisms themselves is very important for enhancing the global patent competitiveness of our country’s industries. However, parties in our country have not yet paid attention to deploying such foundational patents. Under the 863 Program, China also did not carry out any related research.   In addition, some genetically modified organisms can also be used to improve the efficiency of bioenergy production, offering broad industrial prospects. For example, the document with publication number NZ506792 relates to a gene fragment and a microorganism into which this fragment is introduced. The gene fragment of the present invention can promote the synthesis of β-glucosidase, thereby increasing the yield of fuel ethanol. In this way, as a bioproduction facility, new genetically modified organisms can **increase the production of fuel ethanol**. Through thorough research, it was found that the West **attaches great importance to the patenting of such genetic modification technologies, with patent protection covering nucleotide molecules, vectors, cells, and the organisms themselves. It is also very important for the development of related industries in our country to extract and clone useful genes from existing petroleum organisms, and to establish a patent network first.   Furthermore, there are also many patent documents abroad aimed at protecting fundamental inventions such as biofuel cells and biofuels themselves. For example, the document with publication number JP2006085911 relates to a general-purpose biofuel cell. The document with publication number UA68591 relates to a biofuel mixture. In contrast, there are very few relevant patent documents made public by parties in our country.   In short, in order to improve the efficiency and quality of scientific research planning in our country, to prevent enterprises from engaging in repetitive, low-quality research activities that have no market prospects and lack technical and commercial competitiveness, and to enhance the ability of our country’s researchers to draw on, absorb, avoid, and surpass foreign patent technologies, both our government and enterprises need to conduct extensive searches for and analyses of patent information in the field of bioenergy, in order to create high-quality patent strategy maps. According to patent maps, key enterprises in related industries in our country need to rapidly establish patent barriers, aiming to gain a solid technical and commercial competitive advantage through hundreds or thousands of patents.

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