Bio-digestion: The processing of a variety of organic wastes in bio-digesters—closed tanks utilizing anaerobic bacteria—has long been an efficient method of waste conversion and wastewater cleanup.  In these oxygen-free systems, specific bacterial colonies at controlled temperatures and acidity consume organic waste and generate biogas as a primary byproduct. Several tons of biosolids from the digestion process are harvested from a typical large volume digester every few days and are sold as valuable organic fertilizer.

Creating Synthesis Gas: In the Novus system, methane-rich biogas flows continuously from the bio-digester, is scrubbed of contaminants and is converted in a novel “dual-reforming” reactor to synthesis gas (syngas—hydrogen & carbon monoxide) employing an economical and efficient gas reforming process that uses carbon dioxide in addition to methane and water as reactants.  Using dual reforming, all of the carbon in the biogas is available for syngas production—not just the methane—increasing alcohol yields while minimizing greenhouse gas emissions.

Alcohol Synthesis: The final stage of Novus Energy’s proprietary technology is in the alcohol synthesis process.  Syngas from the dual-reforming unit flows under specific temperatures and pressures through catalytic alcohol reactors.  After exiting the reactors, gaseous alcohols are removed by condensation, while un-reacted syngas is recycled for added conversion efficiency .