Systems, methods and apparatus for producing sustainable aviation fuel from coal

Systems, methods and apparatus are provided through which in some implementations an apparatus to produce SAF from coal includes a coal-reforming-area that receives the coal and that produces synthetic gas from the coal, a Fischer-Tropsch conversion area that is operably coupled to the coal-reforming-area and that receives the synthetic gas and produces a hydrocarbon chain from the synthetic gas and a product-upgrading-area that is operably coupled to the Fischer-Tropsch conversion area that receives the hydrocarbon chain and that produces the SAF from the hydrocarbon chain.

FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to environmentally sustainable biofuel, and more particularly to sustainable aviation fuel, sustainable aircraft fuel or synthesized isoparaffinic kerosene.

BACKGROUND

Several principal emissions result from combustion of coal, including sulfur dioxide (SO2). nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulates, carbon dioxide (CO2), mercury and other heavy metals and fly ash. Each of those emissions brings harm. SO2 contributes to acid rain and respiratory illnesses. NOx contributes to smog and respiratory illnesses. Particulates contribute to smog, haze, and respiratory illnesses and lung disease. CO2 is the primary greenhouse gas produced from burning fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas). Mercury and other heavy metals have been linked to both neurological and developmental damage in humans and other animals. Fly ash and bottom ash are residues created when power plants burn coal.

Furthermore, coal is usually stored in large open-air piles, from which large clouds of coal dust are blown during high wind.

Because conventional SAF is not as combustible as conventional hydrocarbon aviation jet fuel, the conventional SAF is typically admixed as approximately 10% of the fuel, with conventional hydrocarbon aviation jet fuel being the remaining 90% of the fuel, in the same way that Ethanol is admixed with gasoline, thus providing only a 10% reduction in carbon emissions over the lifecycle of the fuel compared to conventional hydrocarbon aviation jet fuel that conventional SAF replaces.

Conventional SAF is a fuel that is produced from livestock feeds. Because not all of the livestock feed is completely processed during the processing of the livestock feed, the conventional SAF includes some amount of the unprocessed livestock feed, which can coat the interior of jet engines during combustion of the conventional SAF, thus increasing maintenance costs of the jet engines.

For the reasons stated above, and for other reasons stated below which will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the present specification, there is a need in the art for an even greater reduction in emissions in comparison to conventional SAF that is produced from livestock feeds.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

The above-mentioned shortcomings, disadvantages and problems are addressed herein, which will be understood by reading and studying the following specification.

One solution is stop burning coal and convert the coal into “Green Jet fuel” or “Green Diesel” while reducing emissions.

In one aspect, systems, methods and apparatus are provided through which in some implementations an apparatus to produce SAF from coal includes a coal-reforming-area that receives a batch of coal and that produces synthetic gas from the batch of coal, a Fischer-Tropsch conversion area that is operably coupled to the coal-reforming-area and that receives the synthetic gas and produces a hydrocarbon chain from the synthetic gas and a product-upgrading-area that is operably coupled to the Fischer-Tropsch conversion area that receives the hydrocarbon chain and that produces the SAF from the hydrocarbon chain.

In yet another aspect, a SAF apparatus produces SAF from coal in which the SAF apparatus includes a SAF system which produces SAF from coal, a coal plant which is operably coupled to the SAF system via a coal transport.

In some implementations a method to produce a SAF from a batch of coal includes receiving the batch of coal by a coal-reforming-area, and the coal-reforming-area producing synthetic gas from the batch of coal, receiving the synthetic gas into a Fischer-Tropsch conversion area, the coal-reforming-area producing a hydrocarbon chain from the synthetic gas; and receiving the hydrocarbon chain into a product-upgrading-area, and the product-upgrading-area producing the SAF from the hydrocarbon chain. In further implementations, the method further includes exchanging steam, power, glycol, instrument air and nitrogen from a utility area between the coal-reforming-area, the Fischer-Tropsch conversion area and the product-upgrading-area.

In some implementations, a method to produce a SAF from a batch of coal includes moving coal from a coal plant through a coal transport, thus lowering inventory of the batch of coal at the coal plant, and processing the batch of coal at a SAF system. In further implementations, the processing of the batch of coal at the SAF system includes receiving coal by a coal-reforming-area of the SAF system, and the coal-reforming-area producing synthetic gas from the batch of coal, receiving the synthetic gas into a Fischer-Tropsch conversion area, and the coal-reforming-area producing a hydrocarbon chain from the synthetic gas, and receiving the hydrocarbon chain into a product-upgrading-area, and the product-upgrading-area producing the SAF from the hydrocarbon chain. In further implementations, the method includes exchanging steam, power, glycol, instrument air and nitrogen from a utility area between the coal-reforming-area, the Fischer-Tropsch conversion area and the product-upgrading-area.

Livestock feeds are not used in the production of the SAF, thus there is no trace of livestock feed in the output SAF. In addition, the SAF that is provided by the systems, methods and apparatus produces less emissions when combusted in comparison to combustion of coal because some of the molecules in the coal that cause some of the noxious emissions described in the Background section above are removed by the systems, methods and apparatus that produce the SAF.

Apparatus, systems, and methods of varying scope are described herein in which coal is moved from a coal plant to a SAF system when the SAF system has capacity to receive more coal. In addition to the aspects and advantages described in this summary, further aspects and advantages will become apparent by reference to the drawings and by reading the detailed description that follows.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific implementations which may be practiced. These implementations are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the implementations, and it is to be understood that other implementations may be utilized and that logical, mechanical, electrical and other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the implementations. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.

The local economy benefits from the information disclosed herein because local businesses and personnel benefit e.g.: fabricators, construction and operations; unwanted coal in the area can be developed and delivered to a local facility at profitable prices; there is no need for high cost, high risk, long distance transportation; modular system can be built at reasonable cost in a short timeframe; area industry and economy gets a local supply of high-quality jet fuel or diesel, plus electricity; and the systems can be used as a model in other areas, providing a leader in green fuel production.

The environment wins because the systems remove harmful chemicals at the source, an initial plant can repurpose ˜2,700,000 tons of CO2 annually and trucking and stockpiling of area fuel supplies will be drastically reduced. The local area near where the systems and apparatus are built benefit from a local supply of electricity.

The detailed description is divided into five sections. In the first section, a system level overview is described. In the second section, apparatus of implementations are described. In the third section, implementations of methods are described. In the fourth section, hardware and operating environments in conjunction with which implementations may be practiced are described. Finally, in the fifth section, a conclusion of the detailed description is provided.

System Level Overview

FIG. 1is a block diagram of an overview of a SAF system100to produce SAF from coal, according to an implementation. SAF system100provides an economical and ecological system to reduce hydrocarbon combustion. SAF system100includes a coal plant110from which coal120is transported by a coal transport130, thus lowering the inventory of coal120at the coal plant110. The batch of coal120is transported to a coal receipt bin140of a SAF apparatus150, and later, the batch of coal120is moved to the SAF apparatus150in which the batch of coal120is transformed into a SAF product160. One example of the SAF apparatus150is shown in the SAF apparatus200. The SAF product160is about 80% SAF, about 10% diesel and about 10% naphthalene. The SAF product160that is produced by the SAF system100has less emissions when combusted in comparison to combustion of the batch of coal120because some of the molecules in the batch of coal120that cause some of the noxious emissions described in the Background section above are removed by the SAF system100that produces the SAF product160. In addition, SAF system100reduces stockpiles of coal and thus reduces the wind-blown coal dust.

Apparatus Implementations

In the previous section, a system level overview of the operation of an implementation was described. In this section, the particular apparatus of such an implementation are described by reference to a series of diagrams.

FIG. 2is a block diagram of a SAF apparatus200to produce SAF from coal, according to an implementation. SAF apparatus200provides an economical and ecological system to reduce hydrocarbon combustion by jet engines of aircraft. SAF apparatus200is one example of SAF apparatus1150inFIG. 1.

SAF apparatus200includes coal120that is input to a coal-reforming-area210. The coal-reforming-area210produces synthetic gas215which is input to a Fischer-Tropsch conversion area220. The Fischer-Tropsch conversion area220produces a hydrocarbon chain225from the synthetic gas215that is input into a product-upgrading-area230, and the product-upgrading-area produces the SAF product160from the hydrocarbon chain225. A utility area240is operably coupled to the coal-reforming-area210, the Fischer-Tropsch conversion area220and the product-upgrading-area230. The utility area240exchanges steam245, power250, glycol255, instrument air260and nitrogen265with the coal-reforming-area210, the Fischer-Tropsch conversion area220and the product-upgrading-area230.

While the SAF apparatus200is not limited to any particular type of coal120, coal-reforming-area210, synthetic gas215, Fischer-Tropsch conversion area220, hydrocarbon chain225, product-upgrading-area230, SAF product160, utility area240, steam245, power250, glycol255, instrument air260and nitrogen265, for sake of clarity a simplified coal120, coal-reforming-area210, synthetic gas215, Fischer-Tropsch conversion area220, hydrocarbon chain225, product-upgrading-area230, SAF product160, utility area240, steam245, power250, glycol255, instrument air260and nitrogen265are described. SAF apparatus200does not use livestock feed in the production of the SAF product160. Except in the production of SAF product160from coal120, one of ordinary skill in the art would have no reason to combine the coal-reforming-area210, the Fischer-Tropsch conversion area220and the product-upgrading-area230. The SAF product160that is produced by the SAF apparatus150has less emissions when combusted in comparison to combustion of the batch of coal120because some of the molecules in the batch of coal120that cause some of the noxious emissions described in the Background section above are removed by the SAF apparatus150that produce the SAF product160. In addition, SAF apparatus150reduces stockpiles of coal and thus reduces the wind-blown coal dust.

FIG. 3is a block diagram of a SAF production apparatus300to produce SAF from coal, according to an implementation. SAF production apparatus300provides an economical and ecological apparatus to reduce hydrocarbon combustion by jet engines of aircraft.

SAF production apparatus300includes coal120that is input to a coal-reforming-area210. The coal-reforming-area210produces synthetic gas215which is input to a Fischer-Tropsch conversion area220. The coal-reforming-area210includes a desulphuriser302that is operably coupled to a saturator304that is operably coupled to a pre former306that is operably coupled to a reformer308that is operably coupled to a heat exchanger309that is operably coupled to a SynGas KO drum310that is operably coupled to a syngas compressor312. The Fischer-Tropsch conversion area220produces a hydrocarbon chain225from the synthetic gas215that is input into a product-upgrading-area230. The Fischer-Tropsch conversion area220includes a membrane separator314that is operably coupled to a guard bed316that is operably coupled to a Fischer-Tropsch converter318that is operably coupled to a steam drum320, and the Fischer-Tropsch converter318is operably coupled to a wax trap322which is operably coupled to a heat exchanger324which is operably coupled to a converter separator326that outputs tail gas328. The converter separator326is also operably coupled to an oil/water cyclone330which is operably coupled to a condenser from the332which is operably coupled to a condensate pump334which outputs synthetic water336. The converter separator326also outputs light hydrocarbon225. The converter separator326and the wax trap322are both operably coupled to tank340which storage which is operably coupled to a wax degasser342which is operably coupled to a wax pump344which outputs wax346. The product-upgrading-area produces a SAF product160from the light hydrocarbon chain225. The product-upgrading-area includes a PSA348that receives synthetic as215and that is operably coupled to an H2 compressor350which is operably coupled to a hydrocracker352which is operably coupled to product separation drums354,356,358and360, which is operably coupled to a production pump362. The utility area240is operably coupled to the coal-reforming-area210, the Fischer-Tropsch conversion area220and the product-upgrading-area230. The utility area240exchanges steam245, power250, glycol255, instrument air260and nitrogen265with the coal-reforming-area210, the Fischer-Tropsch conversion area220and the product-upgrading-area230. SAF production apparatus300does not use livestock feeds in the production of the SAF product160. The SAF product160that is produced by the SAF production apparatus300has less emissions when combusted in comparison to combustion of the batch of coal120because some of the molecules in the batch of coal120that cause some of the noxious emissions described in the Background section above are removed by the SAF production apparatus300that produce the SAF product160. In addition, SAF production apparatus300reduces stockpiles of coal and thus reduces the wind-blown coal dust.

The systems and apparatus disclosed inFIG. 1-4provide a modular and scalable design allowing for faster expansion and portability and that allow each facility to be expanded, contracted or relocated as source products diminish or economic conditions change.

Method Implementations

In the previous section, apparatus of the operation of an implementation was described. In this section, the particular methods performed by system200and apparatus300of such an implementation are described by reference to a series of flowcharts.

FIG. 4is a flowchart of a method400to produce SAF from coal, according to an implementation. Method400provides an economical and ecological method to reduce hydrocarbon combustion by jet engines of aircraft.

Method400includes a coal-reforming-area receiving410the batch of coal120, and the coal-reforming-area producing synthetic gas from the batch of coal120.

Method400includes receiving420the synthetic gas into a Fischer-Tropsch conversion area, and the coal-reforming-area producing a hydrocarbon chain from the synthetic gas.

Method400includes receiving430the hydrocarbon chain into a product-upgrading-area, and the product-upgrading-area producing the SAF product160from the hydrocarbon chain.

Method400does not use livestock feeds in the production of the SAF product160. The SAF product160that is produced by the method400has less emissions when combusted in comparison to combustion of the batch of coal120because some of the molecules in the batch of coal120that cause some of the noxious emissions described in the Background section above are removed by the method400that produces the SAF product160. In addition, method400reduces stockpiles of coal and thus reduces the wind-blown coal dust.

In some implementations, method400is implemented as a sequence of instructions which, when executed by a processor, such as processorFIG. 502inFIG. 5or main processor702inFIG. 7, cause the processor502inFIG. 5or main processor702inFIG. 7to perform the respective method. In other implementations, method400is implemented as a computer-accessible medium having executable instructions capable of directing a processor, such as processorFIG. 502inFIG. 5or main processor702inFIG. 7to perform the respective method. In varying implementations, the medium is a magnetic medium, an electronic medium, or an optical medium.

Hardware and Operating Environment

FIG. 5is a block diagram of a SAF production control computer500, according to an implementation. The SAF production control computer500includes a processor502(such as a Pentium III processor from Intel Corp. in this example) which includes dynamic and static ram and non-volatile program read-only-memory (not shown), operating memory504(SDRAM in this example), communication ports506(e.g., RS-232 COM1/2508or Ethernet510), a data acquisition circuit512with analog inputs514, analog output516and digital I/O port(s)518.

In some implementations of the SAF production control computer500, the processor502and the operating memory504are coupled through a bridge520. In some implementations of the SAF production control computer500, the bridge520includes a video port524having display outputs526and LCD528.

In some implementations of the SAF production control computer500, the communication ports506are coupled through a bridge530and a bus522to the bridge520. In some implementations of the SAF production control computer500, communication ports506also include an integrated drive electronics (IDE) port532such as an ultra direct memory access 33 (UDMA33) port, and universal serial bus (USB) ports534, and a PS/2 keyboard and mouse port536. In some implementations of the SAF production control computer500, a port538for audio, microphone, line and auxiliary devices is coupled through a coder/decoder (CODEC)540to the bridge530.

In some implementations of the SAF production control computer500, the data acquisition circuit512is also coupled to counter/timer ports542and watchdog timer ports544. In some implementations of the SAF production control computer500, an RS-232 port546is coupled through a universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter (UART)548to the bridge530.

In some implementations of the SAF production control computer500, an industry standard architecture (ISA) bus expansion port550is coupled to the bridge530. In some implementations of the SAF production control computer500, the Ethernet port510is coupled to the bus522through an Ethernet controller552and a magnetics554.

FIG. 6is a block diagram of a data acquisition circuit600of a SAF production control computer, according to an implementation. The data acquisition circuit600is one example of the data acquisition circuit512inFIG. 5above. Some implementations of the data acquisition circuit600provide 16-bit A/D performance with input voltage capability up to +/−10V, and programmable input ranges.

The data acquisition circuit600includes a bus602, such as a conventional PC/104 bus. The data acquisition circuit600is operably coupled to a controller chip604. Some implementations of the controller chip604include an analog/digital first-in/first-out (FIFO) buffer606that is operably coupled to controller logic608. In some implementations of the data acquisition circuit600, the FIFO606receives signal data from and analog/digital converter (ADC)610, which exchanges signal data with a programmable gain amplifier612, which receives data from a multiplexer614, which receives signal data from analog inputs616.

In some implementations of the data acquisition circuit600, the controller logic608sends signal data to the ADC610and a digital/analog converter (DAC)618. The DAC618sends signal data to analog outputs620. In some implementations of the data acquisition circuit600, the controller logic608receives signal data from an external trigger622.

In some implementations of the data acquisition circuit600, the controller chip604includes a 24-bit counter/timer624that receives signal data from a +10 component626and exchanges signal data with a “CTR 0”628. In some implementations of the data acquisition circuit600, the controller chip604includes a 16-bit counter/timer630that receives signal data from a +100 component632and exchanges signal data with a “CTR 1”628. The 24-bit counter/timer624, the +10 component626, the 16-bit counter/timer630and the +100 component632all receive signal data from a oscillator (OSC)636.

In some implementations of the data acquisition circuit600, the controller chip604includes a digital input/output (I/O) component638that sends digital signal data to “port C”640, “port B”642and “port A”644.

In some implementations of the data acquisition circuit600, the controller logic608sends signal data to the bus602via a control line646and an interrupt line648. In some implementations of the data acquisition circuit600, the controller logic608exchanges signal data to the bus602via a transceiver650. In some implementations of the data acquisition circuit600, the bus supplies +5 volts of electricity to a DC-to-DC converter652, that in turn supplies +15V and −15V of electricity.

Some implementations of the data acquisition circuit600include 4 6-bit D/A channels, 24 programmable digital I/O lines, and two programmable counter/timers. Placement of the analog circuitry away from the high-speed digital logic ensures low-noise performance for important applications. Some implementations of the data acquisition circuit600are fully supported by operating systems that can include, but are not limited to, DOS™, Linux™, RTLinux™ QNX™, Windows 98/NT/2000/XP/CE™, Forth™, and VxWorks™ to simplify application development.

FIG. 7is a block diagram of a SAF production control mobile device700, according to an implementation. The SAF production control mobile device700includes a number of components such as a main processor702that controls the overall operation of the SAF production control mobile device700. Communication functions, including data and voice communications, are performed through a communication subsystem704. The communication subsystem704receives messages from and sends messages to a wireless network706. In this exemplary implementation of the SAF production control mobile device700, the communication subsystem704is configured in accordance with the Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM), General Packet Radio Services (GPRS) standards, 3G, 4G, 5G and/or 6G. It will also be understood by persons skilled in the art that the implementations described herein are intended to use any other suitable standards that are developed in the future. The wireless link connecting the communication subsystem704with the wireless network706represents one or more different Radio Frequency (RF) channels, operating according to defined protocols specified for GSM/GPRS communications. With newer network protocols, these channels are capable of supporting both circuit switched voice communications and packet switched data communications.

Although the wireless network706associated with SAF production control mobile device700is a GSM/GPRS, 3G, 4G, 5G and/or 6G wireless network in one exemplary implementation, other wireless networks may also be associated with the SAF production control mobile device700in variant implementations. The different types of wireless networks that may be employed include, for example, data-centric wireless networks, voice-centric wireless networks, and dual-mode networks that can support both voice and data communications over the same physical base stations. Combined dual-mode networks include, but are not limited to, Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) or CDMA2000 networks, GSM/GPRS networks, 3G, 4G, 5G and/or 6G. Some other examples of data-centric networks include WiFi 802.11, Mobitex™ and DataTAC™ network communication systems. Examples of other voice-centric data networks include Personal Communication Systems (PCS) networks like GSM and Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) systems.

The main processor702also interacts with additional subsystems such as a Random Access Memory (RAM)708, a flash memory710, a display712, an auxiliary input/output (I/O) subsystem714, a data port716, a keyboard718, a speaker720, a microphone722, short-range communications724and other device subsystems726.

Some of the subsystems of the SAF production control mobile device700perform communication-related functions, whereas other subsystems may provide “resident” or on-device functions. By way of example, the display712and the keyboard718may be used for both communication-related functions, such as entering a text message for transmission over the wireless network706, and device-resident functions such as a calculator or task list.

The SAF production control mobile device700can send and receive communication signals over the wireless network706after required network registration or activation procedures have been completed. Network access is associated with a subscriber or user of the SAF production control mobile device700. To identify a subscriber, the SAF production control mobile device700requires a SIM/RUIM card728(i.e. Subscriber Identity Module or a Removable User Identity Module) to be inserted into a SIM/RUIM interface730in order to communicate with a network. The SIM card or RUIM728is one type of a conventional “smart card” that can be used to identify a subscriber of the SAF production control mobile device700and to personalize the SAF production control mobile device700, among other things. Without the SIM card728, the SAF production control mobile device700is not fully operational for communication with the wireless network706. By inserting the SIM/RUIM card728into the SIM/RUIM interface730, a subscriber can access all subscribed services. Services may include: web browsing and messaging such as e-mail, voice mail, Short Message Service (SMS), and Multimedia Messaging Services (MMS). More advanced services may include: point of sale, field service and sales force automation. The SIM/RUIM card728includes a processor and memory for storing information. Once the SIM/RUIM card728is inserted into the SIM/RUIM interface730, it is coupled to the main processor702. In order to identify the subscriber, the SIM/RUIM card728can include some user parameters such as an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI). An advantage of using the SIM/RUIM card728is that a subscriber is not necessarily bound by any single physical mobile device. The SIM/RUIM card728may store additional subscriber information for a mobile device as well, including datebook (or calendar) information and recent call information. Alternatively, user identification information can also be programmed into the flash memory710.

The SAF production control mobile device700is a battery-powered device and includes a battery interface732for receiving one or more rechargeable batteries734. In one or more implementations, the battery734can be a smart battery with an embedded microprocessor. The battery interface732is coupled to a regulator736, which assists the battery734in providing power V+ to the SAF production control mobile device700. Although current technology makes use of a battery, future technologies such as micro fuel cells may provide the power to the SAF production control mobile device700.

The SAF production control mobile device700also includes an operating system738and modules740to752which are described in more detail below. The operating system738and the modules740to752that are executed by the main processor702are typically stored in a persistent store such as the flash memory710, which may alternatively be a read-only memory (ROM) or similar storage element (not shown). Those skilled in the art will appreciate that portions of the operating system738and the modules740to752, such as specific device applications, or parts thereof, may be temporarily loaded into a volatile store such as the RAM708. Other modules can also be included.

The subset of modules740to752that control basic device operations, including data and voice communication applications, will normally be installed on the SAF production control mobile device700during its manufacture. Other modules include a message application742that can be any suitable software program that allows a user of the SAF production control mobile device700to send and receive electronic messages. Various alternatives exist for the message application742as is well known to those skilled in the art. Messages that have been sent or received by the user are typically stored in the flash memory710of the SAF production control mobile device700or some other suitable storage element in the SAF production control mobile device700. In one or more implementations, some of the sent and received messages may be stored remotely from the SAF production control mobile device700such as in a data store of an associated host system with which the SAF production control mobile device700communicates.

The modules can further include a device state module744, a Personal Information Manager (PIM)746, and other suitable modules (not shown). The device state module744provides persistence, i.e. the device state module744ensures that important device data is stored in persistent memory, such as the flash memory710, so that the data is not lost when the SAF production control mobile device700is turned off or loses power.

The PIM746includes functionality for organizing and managing data items of interest to the user, such as, but not limited to, e-mail, contacts, calendar events, voice mails, appointments, and task items. A PIM application has the ability to send and receive data items via the wireless network706. PIM data items may be seamlessly integrated, synchronized, and updated via the wireless network706with the mobile device subscriber's corresponding data items stored and/or associated with a host computer system. This functionality creates a mirrored host computer on the SAF production control mobile device700with respect to such items. This can be particularly advantageous when the host computer system is the mobile device subscriber's office computer system.

The SAF production control mobile device700also includes a connect module748, and an IT policy module750. The connect module748implements the communication protocols that are required for the SAF production control mobile device700to communicate with the wireless infrastructure and any host system, such as an enterprise system, with which the SAF production control mobile device700is authorized to interface.

The connect module748includes a set of APIs that can be integrated with the SAF production control mobile device700to allow the SAF production control mobile device700to use any number of services associated with the enterprise system. The connect module748allows the SAF production control mobile device700to establish an end-to-end secure, authenticated communication pipe with the host system. A subset of applications for which access is provided by the connect module748can be used to pass IT policy commands from the host system to the SAF production control mobile device700. This can be done in a wireless or wired manner. These instructions can then be passed to the IT policy module750to modify the configuration of the SAF production control mobile device700. Alternatively, in some cases, the IT policy update can also be done over a wired connection.

The IT policy module750receives IT policy data that encodes the IT policy. The IT policy module750then ensures that the IT policy data is authenticated by the SAF production control mobile device700. The IT policy data can then be stored in the flash memory710in its native form. After the IT policy data is stored, a global notification can be sent by the IT policy module750to all of the applications residing on the SAF production control mobile device700. Applications for which the IT policy may be applicable then respond by reading the IT policy data to look for IT policy rules that are applicable. The IT policy module750can include a parser752, which can be used by the applications to read the IT policy rules. In some cases, another module or application can provide the parser. Grouped IT policy rules, described in more detail below, are retrieved as byte streams, which are then sent (recursively) into the parser to determine the values of each IT policy rule defined within the grouped IT policy rule. In one or more implementations, the IT policy module750can determine which applications are affected by the IT policy data and send a notification to only those applications. In either of these cases, for applications that are not being executed by the main processor702at the time of the notification, the applications can call the parser or the IT policy module750when they are executed to determine if there are any relevant IT policy rules in the newly received IT policy data.

All applications that support rules in the IT Policy are coded to know the type of data to expect. For example, the value that is set for the “WEP User Name” IT policy rule is known to be a string; therefore the value in the IT policy data that corresponds to this rule is interpreted as a string. As another example, the setting for the “Set Maximum Password Attempts” IT policy rule is known to be an integer, and therefore the value in the IT policy data that corresponds to this rule is interpreted as such.

After the IT policy rules have been applied to the applicable applications or configuration files, the IT policy module750sends an acknowledgement back to the host system to indicate that the IT policy data was received and successfully applied.

Other types of modules can also be installed on the SAF production control mobile device700. These modules can be third party applications, which are added after the manufacture of the SAF production control mobile device700. Examples of third party applications include games, calculators, utilities, etc.

The additional applications can be loaded onto the SAF production control mobile device700through at least one of the wireless network706, the auxiliary I/O subsystem714, the data port716, the short-range communications subsystem724, or any other suitable device subsystem. This flexibility in application installation increases the functionality of the SAF production control mobile device700and may provide enhanced on-device functions, communication-related functions, or both. For example, secure communication applications may enable electronic commerce functions and other such financial transactions to be performed using the SAF production control mobile device700.

The data port716enables a subscriber to set preferences through an external device or software application and extends the capabilities of the SAF production control mobile device700by providing for information or software downloads to the SAF production control mobile device700other than through a wireless communication network. The alternate download path may, for example, be used to load an encryption key onto the SAF production control mobile device700through a direct and thus reliable and trusted connection to provide secure device communication. The data port716can be any suitable port that enables data communication between the SAF production control mobile device700and another computing device. The data port716can be a serial or a parallel port. In some instances, the data port716can be a USB port that includes data lines for data transfer and a supply line that can provide a charging current to charge the battery734of the SAF production control mobile device700.

The short-range communications subsystem724provides for communication between the SAF production control mobile device700and different systems or devices, without the use of the wireless network706. For example, the subsystem724may include an infrared device and associated circuits and components for short-range communication. Examples of short-range communication standards include standards developed by the Infrared Data Association (IrDA), Bluetooth, and the 802.11 family of standards developed by IEEE.

In use, a received signal such as a text message, an e-mail message, or web page download will be processed by the communication subsystem704and input to the main processor702. The main processor702will then process the received signal for output to the display712or alternatively to the auxiliary I/O subsystem714. A subscriber may also compose data items, such as e-mail messages, for example, using the keyboard718in conjunction with the display712and possibly the auxiliary I/O subsystem714. The auxiliary subsystem714may include devices such as: a touch screen, mouse, track ball, infrared fingerprint detector, or a roller wheel with dynamic button pressing capability. The keyboard718is preferably an alphanumeric keyboard and/or telephone-type keypad. However, other types of keyboards may also be used. A composed item may be transmitted over the wireless network706through the communication subsystem704. For voice communications, the overall operation of the SAF production control mobile device700is substantially similar, except that the received signals are output to the speaker720, and signals for transmission are generated by the microphone722. Alternative voice or audio I/O subsystems, such as a voice message recording subsystem, can also be implemented on the SAF production control mobile device700. Although voice or audio signal output is accomplished primarily through the speaker720, the display712can also be used to provide additional information such as the identity of a calling party, duration of a voice call, or other voice call related information.

In some implementations, the SAF production control mobile device700includes a camera754receiving a plurality of images756from and examining pixel-values of the plurality of images756.

CONCLUSION

A SAF apparatus, system and method are described. A technical effect of the SAF system100, SAF apparatus150, SAF production apparatus300and method400is production of SAF that does not involve or is sourced from livestock feed. Although specific implementations are illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that any arrangement which is calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific implementations shown. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations. For example, although described in general terms, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that implementations can be made in coal or any other coal that provides the required function.

In particular, one of skill in the art will readily appreciate that the names of the methods and apparatus are not intended to limit implementations. Furthermore, additional methods and apparatus can be added to the components, functions can be rearranged among the components, and new components to correspond to future enhancements and physical devices used in implementations can be introduced without departing from the scope of implementations. One of skill in the art will readily recognize that implementations are applicable to future Fischer-Tropsch conversion areas, different coal-reforming-areas, and new product-upgrading-areas. In particular, the batch of coal120can be mixed with other portions of coal, and reduced or increased in size during the methods and in the systems and apparatus described herein. The terminology used in this application meant to include all coal and alternate technologies which provide the same functionality as described herein.