Abstract:
Isobutanol may be converted into predominantly C12+ olefin oligomers under specified conditions. Such methods may comprise: contacting a feed comprising isobutanol with a zeolite solid acid catalyst having a MWW framework under conditions effective to convert the isobutanol into a product comprising C4n olefin oligomers, wherein n is an integer having a value of two or greater and about 80 wt. % or greater of the C4n olefin oligomers are larger than C8.
Abstract:
A method for producing pitch can include: hydroprocessing a challenged feed from a refinery operation to produce a hydroprocessed product; distilling the hydroprocessed product to yield one or more upgraded fractions and a resid fraction; and solvent deasphalting the resid fraction to yield a deasphalted oil stream and a hydroprocessed pitch stream. The resultant pitch can have a micro carbon residue (MCR) of 50 wt% or greater, a solubility in toluene of 95 wt% or greater, and a softening point of 200°C or less. The pitch can optionally be fluxed with a fluxing solvent.
Abstract:
Systems and methods are provided for dewaxing a distillate fuel oil by subjecting an at least partially hydroprocessed distillate fuel oil to cavitation to reduce the pour point, reduce the cloud point, reduce the cold filter plugging point, or a combination thereof of the distillate fuel oil.
Abstract:
Methods are provided herein for co-processing of biocomponent feeds as well processing of mineral feeds in a reaction system at hydrogen partial pressures of about 500 psig (3.4 MPag) or less. The methods include using stacked beds of both CoMo and NiMo catalysts. The stacked catalyst beds provided unexpectedly high catalyst activity as the input feed to a reaction system was switched between a mineral feed and a feed containing both mineral and biocomponent portions. Additionally, use of stacked catalyst beds can allow for maintenance of the activity for the catalyst system in a reaction system while still achieving a desired activity for both types of feeds.
Abstract:
This invention provides processes for producing fuel, particularly transportation fuel, from biological material, e.g., lipid material. One aspect of the invention involves hydroprocessing a feedstock in a hydroprocessing zone that is maintained at conditions that promote the efficiency of converting the lipid-containing feedstock into transportation fuel. Such conditions include one or more of maintaining CO content of the hydroprocessing zone at a predetermined amount and recycling or providing a hydrogen-containing gas to the hydroprocessing zone that has been treated to remove CO.
Abstract:
This invention relates to methods and apparatus for harvesting by-product oxygen from algae ponds or bioreactors (collectively, "algal biofuel production") for use in an oxygen-requiring process that requires oxygen as a reactant such as syngas, hydrogen, or power production processes, which optionally can be integrated with the algal biofuel production. In some embodiments, the invention provides methods that include a method comprising: collecting oxygen from an algal biofuel production process; and using the collected oxygen in an oxygen- requiring process that requires oxygen as a reactant. In some embodiments, the invention provides systems that include an integrated system comprising: an algal bioreactor that produces biodiesel and oxygen, a pipeline for transporting oxygen to an oxygen-requiring process unit so that the oxygen can be used as reactant in the oxygen-requiring process unit, and the oxygen-requiring process unit.
Abstract:
A method for producing pitch can include: hydroprocessing a challenged feed from a refinery operation to produce a hydroprocessed product; distilling the hydroprocessed product to yield one or more upgraded fractions and a resid fraction; and solvent deasphalting the resid fraction to yield a deasphalted oil stream and a hydroprocessed pitch stream. The resultant pitch can have a micro carbon residue (MCR) of 50 wt% or greater, a solubility in toluene of 95 wt% or greater, and a softening point of 200°C or less. The pitch can optionally be fluxed with a fluxing solvent.
Abstract:
Systems and methods are provided for converting resids to oil streams useful as fuel oils by utilizing hydrodynamic cavitation. The cavitated fuel oils are more suitable for subsequent conversion to lighter products (e.g., through fluid catalytic cracking) or they can be blended to produce heating oils or bunker fuels.
Abstract:
Provided are processes for making hydrocarbons from renewable feed sources. In an embodiment, there is provided a method for co-producing lube basestock and transportation fuel from a feedstock of biological origin, the method including: a) converting a feedstock of biological origin to a ketone or a dimer acid in the presence of a first catalyst; and b) hydrogenating the ketone or the dimer acid to produce a hydrocarbon in the presence of a second catalyst comprising a hydrogenation catalyst and a hydrothermally stable binder.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a method for forming an at least partially renewable diesel product, comprising: hydrodeoxygenating a feedstock comprising about 0.1 wt% to about 50 wt% of a fresh biocomponent portion with a relatively pure hydrogen treat gas in the presence of a hydrodeoxygenation catalyst under relatively low total pressure to form a hydrodeoxygenated product; and separating the hydrodeoxygenated product into a vapor effluent and a liquid effluent, at least a first portion of the latter being recycled to the hydrodeoxygenation step, and at least a second portion of the latter being a diesel product. Advantageously, the hydrodeoxygenation catalyst can have a relatively low catalytic activity (about 50% or less of fresh HDS/HDN activity).