The Gravity Pressure Vessel

It uses a Gravity Pressure Vessel (GPV) a diagram of which is shown to the left. The GPV is a series of concentric pipes suspended over a shaft drilled to the correct depth determined by the pressure requirements of the reaction process.

In order to convert (de-polymerize) cellulose to glucose it has to be treated by a cooking process. GeneSyst accomplishes this in a heat exchanger which is held vertically to take advantage of the pressure developed at the bottom of the closed pipe. As in any pressure cooker, the response is faster and it cooks more thoroughly. Carbonic acid, with a trace of sulfuric acid, aids the process. For acid, the system uses carbon dioxide from a later stage in the process namely fermentation.

The mix of cellulose fiber and water is converted to glucose and water. This chemical reaction is engineered to be complete within three seconds and will range from 50% to 75% efficiency.

The Gravity Pressure Vessel does not require pumps to develop pressure. It is simple and direct and has no moving parts. Of all the equipment used in this process this continuous pressure cooker has the highest on-line reliability and the greatest efficiency. It can recover over 90% of the steam energy used to sustain the chemical process.

The water which enters the vessel is preheated as it goes down and gains pressure wherein the reaction is then started and fixed. The finished mix then rises and loses pressure whilst it is cooled.

No materials escape the cooking process. The process pipe hangs in a vacuum chamber over its full height.

Unlike conventional ethanol production which uses more heat than represented by the finished ethanol, the GeneSyst process uses less heat. After emerging from the GPV the mix will be sterile, and ready for the introduction of carefully selected fungi (yeast) and enzymes to enhance fermentation.