Abstract:
The present invention provides a process for producing jet fuel components from syngas. Syngas is converted to methanol and ethanol, and, optionally, higher alcohols. The methanol is separated from the ethanol and higher alcohols, and converted to C5-9 paraffins and aromatics via a dimethyl ether intermediate. The dimethyl ether is reacted over a catalyst to form jet fuel range hydrocarbons and aromatics. The ethanol and higher alcohols are dehydrated to form olefins, which are then oligomerized and, optionally, hydrogenated and/or isomerized, to form products in the jet fuel range. All or part of the two separate product streams can be combined, to provide jet fuel components which include aromatics and paraffins, ideally isoparaffins, in the jet fuel range. The syngas is in one embodiment derived from biomass or another renewable carbon-containing feedstock, thereby providing a biorefining process for producing renewable jet fuel.
Abstract:
Compositions and methods for forming hexane, and, optionally, gasoline and/or components of a gasoline composition, from fermentable sugars are disclosed. The sugars are fermented using a bacteria or yeast that predominantly forms butyric acid. The butyric acid is subjected to Kolbe or photo-Kolbe electrolysis to form hexane. The hexane can be subjected to catalytic, reforming and/or isomerization steps to form higher octane products, which are or can be included in gasoline compositions. In one aspect, the fermentable sugars are derived from lignocellulosic materials such as wood products, switchgrass, or agricultural wastes. These materials are delignified to form lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose. The cellulose and hemicellulose are depolymerized to form glycose and xylose, either or both of which can be fermented by the bacteria. The lignin can be used to generate heat energy and/or electric energy for use in one or more process steps, such as the fermentation, product isolation, Kolbe electrolysis, catalytic reforming and/or isomerization steps. Alternatively, the lignin can be converted to synthesis gas, which can then be subjected to Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, or converted to methanol and/or ethanol. Thus, the methods described herein can convert biomass to a fuel composition or fuel additive, which can be used in a conventional gasoline engine, unlike traditional fuels such as ethanol or biodiesel.
Abstract:
Processes for producing jet fuel are disclosed. In one embodiment, syngas is converted to methanol, and a first portion of the methanol is converted to olefins using a methanol-to-olefins catalyst. The olefins are then oligomerized under conditions that provide olefins in the jet fuel range. The olefins can then optionally be isomerized and/or hydrotreated. A second portion of the methanol is converted to dimethyl ether, which is then reacted over a catalyst to form jet fuel-range hydrocarbons and aromatics. All or part of the two separate product streams can be combined, to provide jet fuel components which include isoparaffins and aromatics in the jet fuel range. The syngas is preferably derived from biomass or another renewable carbon-containing feedstock, thereby providing a biorefining process for the production of renewable jet fuel. In another embodiment, the process starts with methanol, rather than producing the methanol from syngas.
Abstract:
Methods for forming hydrocarbon products from bacteria, namely, bacteria which produce fatty acids, are disclosed. The methods involve the bacterial production of fatty acids, the thermal decarboxylation of the resulting fatty acids, the hydrocracking and isomerization of the decarboxylation product, and the distillation to yield the desired hydrocarbon fractions. The products can be isolated in the gasoline, jet and/or diesel fuel ranges. Thus, bacteria can be used to produce products in the gasoline, jet and/or diesel fuel ranges which are virtually indistinguishable from those derived from their petroleum-based analogs.
Abstract:
Compositions and methods for forming hydrocarbon products from triglycerides are disclosed. In one aspect, the methods involve the thermal decomposition of fatty acids, which can be derived from the hydrolysis of triglycerides. The thermal decomposition products can be combined with low molecular weight olefins, such as Fischer-Tropsch synthesis products, and subjected to molecular averaging reactions. Alternatively, the products can be subjected to hydrocracking reactions, isomerization reactions, and the like. The products can be isolated in the gasoline, jet and/or diesel fuel ranges. Thus, vegetable oils and/or animal fats can be converted using water, catalysts, and heat, into conventional products in the gasoline, jet and/or diesel fuel ranges. These products are virtually indistinguishable from those derived from their petroleum-based analogs, except that they can have virtually no aromatic, sulfur or nitrogen content, they are derived, in whole or in part, from renewable resources, and can also be derived from domestically available coal and/or natural gas.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a process for producing jet fuel components from syngas. Syngas is converted to methanol and ethanol, and, optionally, higher alcohols. The methanol is separated from the ethanol and higher alcohols, and converted to C5-9 paraffins and aromatics via a dimethyl ether intermediate. The dimethyl ether is reacted over a catalyst to form jet fuel range hydrocarbons and aromatics. The ethanol and higher alcohols are dehydrated to form olefins, which are then oligomerized and, optionally, hydrogenated and/or isomerized, to form products in the jet fuel range. All or part of the two separate product streams can be combined, to provide jet fuel components which include aromatics and paraffins, ideally isoparaffins, in the jet fuel range. The syngas is in one embodiment derived from biomass or another renewable carbon-containing feedstock, thereby providing a biorefining process for producing renewable jet fuel.
Abstract:
Processes for forming propylene from methanol are disclosed. The processes involve converting methanol to a product mixture comprising ethylene and propylene, separating the ethylene from the propylene, dimerizing a first portion of the ethylene to form a product mixture comprising 1-butylene, isomerizing the 1-butylene to form a mixture of cis and trans 2-butylene, and performing olefin metathesis on a second portion of the ethylene and the mixture of cis and trans 2-butylene. In one embodiment, the methanol is produced by converting syngas to methanol, and in one aspect of this embodiment, the syngas, or a portion thereof, is produced from renewable feedstocks. In this aspect, renewable propylene is produced. The propylene can be polymerized to form polypropylene or co- or terpolymers thereof, and when the propylene is made from renewable resources, the resulting polymer is a renewable polymer.
Abstract:
Compositions and methods for forming hexane, and, optionally, gasoline and/or components of a gasoline composition, from fermentable sugars are disclosed. The sugars are fermented using a bacteria or yeast that predominantly forms butyric acid. The butyric acid is subjected to Kolbe or photo-Kolbe electrolysis to form hexane. The hexane can be subjected to catalytic, reforming and/or isomerization steps to form higher octane products, which are or can be included in gasoline compositions. In one aspect, the fermentable sugars are derived from lignocellulosic materials such as wood products, switchgrass, or agricultural wastes. These materials are delignified to form lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose. The cellulose and hemicellulose are depolymerized to form glycose and xylose, either or both of which can be fermented by the bacteria. The lignin can be used to generate heat energy and/or electric energy for use in one or more process steps, such as the fermentation, product isolation, Kolbe electrolysis, catalytic reforming and/or isomerization steps. Alternatively, the lignin can be converted to synthesis gas, which can then be subjected to Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, or converted to methanol and/or ethanol. Thus, the methods described herein can convert biomass to a fuel composition or fuel additive, which can be used in a conventional gasoline engine, unlike traditional fuels such as ethanol or biodiesel.
Abstract:
Compositions and methods for forming hydrocarbon products from triglycerides are disclosed. In one aspect, the methods involve the thermal decomposition of fatty acids, which can be derived from the hydrolysis of triglycerides. The thermal decomposition products can be combined with low molecular weight olefins, such as Fischer-Tropsch synthesis products, and subjected to molecular averaging reactions. Alternatively, the products can be subjected to hydrocracking reactions, isomerization reactions, and the like. The products can be isolated in the gasoline, jet and/or diesel fuel ranges. Thus, vegetable oils and/or animal fats can be converted using water, catalysts, and heat, into conventional products in the gasoline, jet and/or diesel fuel ranges. These products are virtually indistinguishable from those derived from their petroleum-based analogs, except that they can have virtually no aromatic, sulfur or nitrogen content, they are derived, in whole or in part, from renewable resources, and can also be derived from domestically available coal and/or natural gas.
Abstract:
Processes for producing hydrocarbons in the gasoline and jet fuel range. The processes involve the thermal decarboxylation of fatty acids, which can be derived from the hydrolysis of triglycerides, which triglycerides can be vegetable oils, animal fats, or combinations thereof. The resulting hydrocarbons can be hydrocracked, and, optionally, isomerized and/or hydrotreated, to yield hydrocarbons in the jet fuel or gasoline range. Where the resulting hydrocarbons include olefinic double bonds, they can alternatively be combined with low molecular weight olefins, and subjected to olefin metathesis to yield hydrocarbons in the jet fuel or gasoline range.