Abstract:
The present invention relates to the processing of hydrocarbon-containing feedstreams in the presence of an interstitial metal hydride containing catalyst and hydrogen at process conditions of at least 400 psig pressure and temperatures of at least 200° C. These processes use interstitial metal hydrides that possess significant hydrogen capacities and high hydrogen kinetics rate properties. The catalysts and processes of the present invention may be used with or without radio frequency or microwave energy and are preferably run under conditions of high hydrogen partial pressure above about 350 psia. The catalysts and processes of the present invention can improve overall hydrogenation, product conversion, as well as sulfur reduction in hydrocarbon feedstreams as compared to processes of the prior art operated under similar conditions.
Abstract:
A reverse phase extraction method for the recovery of triglycerides from aqueous slurries of algae is described herein. The present invention discloses the use of immobilized anion exchange and lipid binding resins. As the algae flows past the resin, triglycerides adhere while the bulk of the algae flows through. The lipids, useful for generating biofuels are then are eluted off the resin. The method of the present invention does not require prior drying of the algae, is inexpensive, and does not destroy the algal biomass which can be used for other purposes.
Abstract:
Disclosed is a process for removing solids, metals, phosphorus compounds and other impurities from low quality triglyceride containing feedstock. The final treated triglyceride containing feedstock may be converted to fuel range hydrocarbons via hydrotreating process.
Abstract:
Processes are provided for producing a diesel fuel product having a sulfur content of 15 wppm or less (e.g., 10 wppm or less) from feed sources that include a biocomponent feedstock. The biocomponent feedstock can be initially co-processed with a mineral feed in a fluidized bed stage, such as an ebullating bed processing stage. Ebullating bed processing can mitigate the impact of the biocomponent feed on other hydrotreatment aspects of a diesel boiling range feed. Challenged biocomponent feeds can be handled by introducing the biocomponent feed into the ebullating bed reactor in a manner that reduces the fouling impact of the feed.
Abstract:
A nanocatalyst, dual catalyst and methods for improving the efficiency and output of a biomass gasification process are provided where the catalysts comprise a volatile organometallic compound(s) and/or a nanoalloy catalyst. By the catalyst and method, a very high biomass gasification conversion efficiency of over 85% can be achieved. The subject nanocatalyst cracks and gasifies lignin, which is generally inert in conventional gasification, at relatively low gasification temperatures. The subject disclosure also provides a means to increase gas yields and lower lignin content in the resulting product relative to conventional gasification. Alternatively, oil production may be increased, if desired. Moreover, the resulting gas may achieve a Fischer-Tropsch reactor favorable H2:CO ratio of about 9:1. The energy input to the gasification is correspondingly reduced to reduce costs and the environmental impact associated with the gasification process.
Abstract:
Processes are provided for producing a diesel fuel product having a sulfur content of 10 ppm by weight or less from feed sources that include up to 50% by weight of a biocomponent feedstock. The biocomponent feedstock is co-processed with a heavy oil feed in a severe hydrotreating stage. The product from the severe hydrotreatment stage is fractionated to separate out a diesel boiling range fraction, which is then separately hydrotreated.
Abstract:
A method of creating a multi-phase fuel wherein said fuel comprises a gas, a solid, a liquid solvent phase and an aqueous phase from animal waste comprising the combination of the animal waste, a solvent, and a water/alcohol solution into a fluid mixture, placing the mixture into a closed reactor, heating said reactor between about 245° C. and 385° C. for between about 5 and 70 minutes and cooling said resulting multi-phase fuel. The animal waste may be manure, mortalities, municipal waste, or chicken litter. The preferred solvent is petroleum with the preferred petroleum being diesel fuel. The final multi-phase fuel can be separated into four separate fuels: a solid fuel, an emulsified solid in the liquid solvent phase by blending the solid, the solvent and a surfactant, an aqueous phase, and the recovered liquid solvent phase. Petroleum is the preferred solvent and the separation may be any conventional means. The mixture preferably consists of 1 part by weight animal waste, about 1.5 parts by weight diesel and between about 0.11 to about 1.86 parts by weight a water/alcohol solution. The water/alcohol solution is between about 5% to about 85% alcohol before heating. Additionally, an alkali base may be added to increase waste solubility.
Abstract:
A method is provided of recycling and decontaminating oil-based waste drilling mud and cuttings contaminated with oil-based waste drilling mud. A facility for performing the method is also provided. The method includes removing the coarse solids from the mud, breaking the emulsion, and separating the hydrophobic phase from the water phase and the solid phase. The solids may then be treated by either or both of two approaches. One approach involves vaporizing all residual oil and water from the solids, and burning off the vaporized oil. Another approach involves at least partially vaporizing the residual oil from the solids and recondensing the oil. The method produces a solid “soil” product that is free from oil contamination (or is sufficiently decontaminated to allow reuse), an oil product that is fit for reuse, and clean air emissions. A thermal desorber or a soil dryer can be used to efficiently vaporize the oil at low temperature. Optionally the water fraction of the mud can be vaporized, solutes and salts can be captured as evaporite and then be mixed with the soil product. The method has the unique advantage of producing no persistent hazardous waste. The method has the further advantage of requiring no external input of energy if the reclaimed oil is used to provide energy for the process. The method has the further advantage of recycling portions of the drilling mud that would otherwise be subject to disposal.
Abstract:
Synthesis methods are provided using electro-chemical catalysis. In one method, diesel fuel is made by (1) flowing a mixture of a triglyceride source and an alcohol through a high voltage electrical field, effective to convert the triglyceride into saturated mono alkyl esters; and (2) adding the saturated mono alkyl esters to a petroleum-derived diesel fuel to form a diesel fuel blend. In another method, a high temperature, oxidatively stable lubricant is made by (1) flowing a renewable oil including unsaturated fatty acids through a high voltage electrical field effective to convert the unsaturated fatty acids into saturated fatty acids; and (2) adding one or more functional additives to the saturated fatty acid-containing renewable oil to form a synthetic lubricant. In another method, ethanol is made by flowing a liquid which comprises a simple sugar through a high voltage electrical field effective to convert the sugar into ethanol without fermentation.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a method for producing a fuel from vegetable oil in order to operate of diesel internal combustion engines. In said method, the oleaginous fruit is pressed, and the dripping oil is filtered. According to the invention, the dripping vegetable oil containing the cloudy matter is mixed with a clay material in a first step before being filtered and is filtered in a second step.