Wood, Sawdust Or Paper Patents (Class 44/606)
  • Patent number: 11819820
    Abstract: Provided herein are an adsorbent and method of treating water using the adsorbent. The adsorbent includes thermally- and chemically-treated lignite coal. The method includes contacting wastewater with the treated lignite coal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Mississippi State University
    Inventors: Todd Mlsna, Sita Warren
  • Patent number: 10011798
    Abstract: A process for converting waste fibers to solid fuel is provided, including providing a supply of animal waste including the waste fibers in a predetermined quantity; washing the supply of animal waste for a predetermined washing period; dewatering the supply of animal waste by separating water from the waste fibers for a predetermined dewatering period; shedding the waste fibers for separating liquids from solids; compressing the dewatered and shed waste fibers to generate a plurality of briquettes; torrefying at least one of the plurality of briquettes in a torrefaction reactor using a heat source at a predetermined torrefying temperature for a predetermined torrefying period; removing the at least one of the plurality of briquettes from the reactor; and cooling the torrefaction reactor to reach a predetermined cooling temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: QUALITY FLOW, INC.
    Inventor: Peter M. Kennedy
  • Patent number: 9732299
    Abstract: Method and device implemented in a reactor for the plasma treatment of carried fragmented material or of pulverized elements by a support gas where the main element is an intermediate temperature plasma (PIT) generator fed by a source of electric pulses, the amplitude of whose current is limited and for which the generating frequency, the duration of the pulses and the duration of the time spans between the pulses are determined in such a way as to generate a nonthermal plasma (PIT) of large extent, the plasma and the carrier gas flux (4) laiden with the fragments of material or of pulverized elements to be treated (5) moving along helical trajectories coaxial with the axis of the reactor at controlled angles a and B respectively relative to the plane perpendicular to the axis of the reactor, the angles a and B being able to vary in a given manner according to the properties of the material to be treated and the technological parameters and the dimensions of the reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: ABENZ 81-40
    Inventors: Pavel Koulik, Anatoly Saychenko
  • Patent number: 9347011
    Abstract: A treatment of biomass comprises supplying biomass which contains an amount of moisture to a first treatment device of a torrefaction system where the biomass is heated to a torrefaction temperature and substantially completely dried by evaporating the moisture to form a torrefied biomass. The at least partially torrefied biomass is removed from the first treatment device after a first time period and transferred to a second treatment device where it is kept for a longer second time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: TOPELL ENERGY B.V.
    Inventor: Peter Christiaan Albert Bergman
  • Patent number: 9067827
    Abstract: During the production of cement clinker by preheating cement raw meal in a preheater and calcining and sintering the preheated cement raw meal, the exhaust gases which are produced during the calcination and the sintering process are used for preheating and are subsequently cleaned in an SCR catalytic convertor. There are used during the clinker production replacement fuels which contain carbon-containing odorous substances and/or ammonia-containing compounds which are previously dried, wherein a drying exhaust gas which is produced during the drying operation and/or exhaust vapor condensate being used at least partially for exhaust gas quenching upstream of the SCR catalytic convertor, and the carbon-containing odorous substances and/or ammonia-containing compounds in the drying exhaust gas and/or exhaust vapor condensate being converted on the SCR catalytic convertor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: ThyssenKrupp Industrial Solutions AG
    Inventors: Timo Stender, Anna Dinkova
  • Publication number: 20150143742
    Abstract: A method for the torrefaction of biomass comprises receiving biomass having a given moisture content. The biomass is heated in a generally inert environment by indirect contact. The biomass is subsequently torrefied by exposing the biomass to a flow of combustion gases in the generally inert environment. The biomass is outlet with a reduced moisture content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventor: Guy Prud'Homme
  • Publication number: 20150143809
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an environmentally friendly and high efficiency solid fuel production method using high-water-content organic waste, and, more specifically, relates to a solid fuel production method using high-water-content organic waste, the method comprising: (a) a waste mixing step in which high-water-content organic waste and municipal waste are introduced into a Fe-based reactor and mixed; (b) a hydrolysis step in which high temperature steam is added to the reactor and the mixture of organic waste and municipal waste is placed under pressure and is then stirred in the pressurized state so as to hydrolyse the mixture; (c) a pressure-reducing step in which the steam in the reactor is discharged and the inside of the reactor is rapidly reduced in pressure and left to stand in such a way as to give the organic waste from step (b) a low molecular weight or in such a way as to enlarge the specific surface area of the municipal waste from step (b) and thereby break apart same; (d) a vacuum or
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: Jae-Hyeon HA, Joji TAKASE
  • Patent number: 9039792
    Abstract: A process is provided comprising subjecting a quantity of plant biomass fibers to a pretreatment to cause at least a portion of lignin contained within each fiber to move to an outer surface of said fiber, wherein a quantity of pretreated tacky plant biomass fibers is produced; and densifying the quantity of pretreated tacky plant biomass fibers to produce one or more densified biomass particulates, wherein said biomass fibers are densified without using added binder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Bruce E. Dale, Bryan Ritchie, Derek Marshall
  • Patent number: 9024096
    Abstract: A process for converting triacylglycerides-containing oils into crude oil precursors and/or distillate hydrocarbon fuels is disclosed. The process may include reacting a triacylglycerides-containing oil-carbon dioxide mixture at a temperature in the range from about 250° C. to about 525° C. and a pressure greater than about 75 bar to convert at least a portion of the triacylglycerides to a hydrocarbon or mixture of hydrocarbons comprising one or more of isoolefins, isoparaffins, cycloolefins, cycloparaffins, and aromatics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Lummus Technology Inc.
    Inventor: Marvin I. Greene
  • Patent number: 9005400
    Abstract: Embodiments presented herein describe an apparatus and method to control the conversion of carbonaceous materials, particularly biomass and those biomass resources, into a high performance solid fuel. This method, and the apparatus described as the means to accomplish this method, provides a process having a control system that enables the system to produce a fuel of uniform quality, even with a change in biomass supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Renewable Fuel Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Wechsler, James Braig R
  • Publication number: 20150096222
    Abstract: Disclosed are novel engineered fuel feed stocks, feed stocks produced by the described processes, and methods of making the fuel feed stocks. Components derived from processed MSW waste streams can be used to make such feed stocks which are substantially free of glass, metals, grit and noncombustibles. These feed stocks are useful for a variety of purposes including co-firing with coal and as substitutes for coal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventors: Paula A. Calabrese, Dingrong Bai
  • Patent number: 9000244
    Abstract: A multi-stage reactor system for preparing biodiesel is used to increase efficiency and yield and reduce impurities. A three-stage transesterification reaction for preparing biodiesel can include one high-shear cavitation reactor and two low-shear cavitation reactors, preferably in series, and optionally one or more separation vessels for removing waste and recycling triglyceride feedstock, catalyst and alcohol to the high-shear cavitation reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Arisdyne Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Oleg Kozyuk, Peter Reimers, Paul A. Reinking
  • Publication number: 20150089863
    Abstract: Disclosed are novel engineered fuel feed stocks, feed stocks produced by the described processes, and methods of making the fuel feed stocks. Components derived from processed MSW waste streams can be used to make such feed stocks which are substantially free of glass, metals, grit and noncombustibles. These feed stocks are useful for a variety of purposes including as gasification and combustion fuels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventor: Dingrong BAI
  • Patent number: 8993817
    Abstract: A method for obtaining diesel fuel from vegetable or animal oils through the addition of hydrogen in the presence of catalysts under suitable temperature and pressure conditions is described. The method is different from other similar methods in that it involves the use of space velocities of between 5.1 h-1 and 9 h-1, thereby enabling a reduction in the size of the reactor and in hydrogen consumption, as well as lowering construction and operating costs. The invention also relates to the products obtained using said method, which have demonstrated that in additions, even below 10%, they improve the performance of diesel engines, thereby lowering fuel consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Inventor: Manuel Laureano Nuñez Isaza
  • Publication number: 20150075326
    Abstract: This invention provides processes and systems for converting biomass into high-carbon biogenic reagents that are suitable for a variety of commercial applications. Some embodiments employ pyrolysis in the presence of an inert gas to generate hot pyrolyzed solids, condensable vapors, and non-condensable gases, followed by separation of vapors and gases, and cooling of the hot pyrolyzed solids in the presence of the inert gas. Additives may be introduced during processing or combined with the reagent, or both. The biogenic reagent may include at least 70 wt %, 80 wt %, 90 wt %, 95 wt %, or more total carbon on a dry basis. The biogenic reagent may have an energy content of at least 12,000 Btu/lb, 13,000 Btu/lb, 14,000 Btu/lb, or 14,500 Btu/lb on a dry basis. The biogenic reagent may be formed into fine powders, or structural objects. The structural objects may have a structure and/or strength that derive from the feedstock, heat rate, and additives.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Daniel J. Despen, James A. Mennell, Steve Filips
  • Patent number: 8979952
    Abstract: The invention relates to the improvement of the fuel-properties of biomass in an integrated manner to facilitate storage, shipping and applicability thereof. In the process, biomass (6) is thermally treated within a combustion process to cause partial torrefaction of the organic matter present in biomass, thus yielding components inert to biological decomposition processes. Constituents (10) separated in gaseous form are utilized as fuel, while the thermally treated biomass (8) remaining in the solid form is utilized in a separate process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Valmet Power Oy
    Inventor: Markku Raiko
  • Publication number: 20150068113
    Abstract: There is provided an apparatus (1) and methods for processing biomass to produce charcoal, bio-oil(s) activated carbon, recarburiser carbon, or nut coke by means of microwave energy. The apparatus has a rotatable tube (5) for receiving biomass (108), an electromagnetic generator (7). One method provides applying electromagnetic energy to the biomass (108) and an absorbing material (109). An alternative method provides allowing an indirect, black body radiation field to develop, and exposing the biomass (108) to the black body radiation field and the electromagnetic energy. Another method provides allowing plasma to form and exposing the biomass to the plasma and the electromagnetic energy. Another method provides introducing the biomass to a second container (205), introducing the second container to a first reaction container (5), applying electromagnetic energy to the biomass and an absorbing material (109), allowing a plasma to form in the first container, which heats the biomass in the second container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Gregory Thomas Conner, Forrest John Tyrrell-Baxter
  • Publication number: 20150052807
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the purification of biological feed material and to a process for catalytically converting the purified biological feed material into hydrocarbons suitable as biofuel components. The purified feed material is treated in a reactor system including a catalytically active guard bed phase and a catalytically active main reaction phase. At least one of the phases includes a catalyst bed with a combination of hydrodeoxygenating (HDO) and hydrodewaxing (HDW) catalysts. The process provides biofuel with acceptable ignition and cold flow properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2013
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Applicant: UPM-KYMMENE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jaakko Nousiainen, Jari Kotoneva, Heli Laumola, Teemu Lindberg, Kosti Mokkila
  • Publication number: 20150052806
    Abstract: A method for producing levulinic acid from lignocellulosic biomass comprising hemicellulose including one or more six carbon chain compound precursors comprises the steps of hydrolyzing the lignocellulosic biomass to form a first phase comprising partially hydrolyzed lignocellulosic biomass including cellulose and lignin and a second phase comprising one or more five carbon chain sugars and one or more six carbon chain sugars from degradation of the hemicellulose, separating the first phase from the second phase, and converting at least a portion of the one or more six carbon chain sugars to levulinic acid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventors: William A. Frey, Jeffrey Wayne Brown, John Patrick Kelly, Michael Eugene Carroll, Peter Chester Guion
  • Patent number: 8957269
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing olefinic monomers for the production of a polymer. The invention particularly relates to the production of tall oil-based biopolymers, such as polyolefins. In the stages of the method bio oil, with a content of over 50% of fatty acids of tall oil and no more than 25% of resin acids of tall oil, and hydrogen gas are fed into a catalyst bed (7); the oil is catalytically deoxygenated in the bed by hydrogen; the flow exiting the bed is cooled down and divided into a hydrocarbon-bearing liquid phase (10) and a gas phase; and the hydrocarbon-bearing liquid (13) is subjected to steam cracking (4) to provide a product containing polymerizing olefins. The deoxygenation in the bed can be followed by a catalytic cracking or, with a suitable catalyst, the deoxygenation and cracking can be simultaneous. The separated hydrogen-bearing gas phase can be circulated in the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Stora Enso Oyj
    Inventors: Ali Harlin, Tapani Penttinen, Jari Räsänen, Olli Aaltonen
  • Patent number: 8952210
    Abstract: A green process and system are disclosed for utilizing a biomass filter aid in the filtration of a bio-oil. The process comprises filtering a bio-oil containing residual solids from a conversion reaction in the presence of the biomass filter aid to produce a filtered bio-oil. The biomass filter aid facilitates efficient removal of residual solids from the bio-oil. The spent biomass filter aid containing the residual solids may be recycled as a conversion feedstock or used as a combustion heat source in the biomass conversion system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: KiOR, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronny W. Lin
  • Patent number: 8951309
    Abstract: A hay-based log formed of a combination of pieces of hay and a binding agent. The hay pieces and the binding agent are compressed together into a solid shape. The hay-based log is fabricated so that the majority of the hay-binder combination is made of the hay. The binder is selected to be sufficient to keep the hay pieces joined together in its selected shape. The binder may be wax paraffin, plastic, corn starch or potato starch or any combination thereof. The hay-based log is fabricated by compressing the hay-binder mixture together with sufficient pressure and temperature to enable the hay pieces to stay together and then cooling the mixture without heat or pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Inventor: Peter Bragdon
  • Publication number: 20150027039
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for drying a biomass or organic material through one or more auger tubes that may be connected in series. Rotation of the augers drives the movement of the material longitudinally through the auger tubes. In addition, the one or more auger tubes are also heated by a hot liquid or water that may be circulated through a jacket(s) surrounding the one or more auger tubes, and a generally longitudinal flow of air or gas through the one or more auger tubes may be caused by operation of a fan or blower. The operation of a dryer apparatus of the present invention may also be monitored and controlled by a computer to optimize or improve drying conditions. Thus, one or more operational parameters of a dryer apparatus may be altered or controlled based on one or more measurements, such as temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: Scott Laskowski, Timothy Baughman, Johann Duerichen, Donald Laskowski
  • Patent number: 8933281
    Abstract: Processes and reactor systems are provided for the conversion of oxygenated hydrocarbons to hydrocarbons, ketones and alcohols useful as liquid fuels, such as gasoline, jet fuel or diesel fuel, and industrial chemicals. The process involves the conversion of mono-oxygenated hydrocarbons, such as alcohols, ketones, aldehydes, furans, carboxylic acids, diols, triols, and/or other polyols, to C4+ hydrocarbons, alcohols and/or ketones, by condensation. The oxygenated hydrocarbons may originate from any source, but are preferably derived from biomass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Virent, Inc.
    Inventors: Randy D. Cortright, Paul G. Blommel
  • Patent number: 8927793
    Abstract: Processes for producing reduced acid lignocellulosic-derived pyrolysis oil are provided. In a process, lignocellulosic material is fed to a heating zone. A basic solid catalyst is delivered to the heating zone. The lignocellulosic material is pyrolyzed in the presence of the basic solid catalyst in the heating zone to create pyrolysis gases. The oxygen in the pyrolysis gases is catalytically converted to separable species in the heating zone. The pyrolysis gases are removed from the heating zone and are liquefied to form the reduced acid lignocellulosic-derived pyrolysis oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Anthony Kocal, Timothy A. Brandvold
  • Patent number: 8921629
    Abstract: Biofuels can be produced via an organic phase hydrocatalytic treatment of biomass using an organic solvent that is partially miscible with water. An organic hydrocarbon-rich phase from the hydrocatalytically treated products can be recycled to form at least a portion of the organic phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Joseph Broun Powell, Kimberly Ann Johnson
  • Patent number: 8912375
    Abstract: A process and hydrodeoxygenation catalyst for producing high-quality diesel and naphtha fuels from a feedstock that contains oxygen containing components derived from renewable organic material in which the hydrodeoxygenation catalyst is a supported Mo catalyst and in which the support has a bimodal porous structure. The hydrodeoxygenation catalyst has a Mo content of 0.1 to 20 wt %. The support is alumina, silica, titania or combinations thereof, and the support has a bimodal porous structure with pores with a diameter larger than 50 nm that constitute at least 2 vol % of the total pore volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Haldor Topsoe A/S
    Inventors: Rasmus Gottschalck Egeberg, Kim Grøn Knudsen, Niels Jørgen Blom, Jens A. Hansen
  • Patent number: 8912376
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for upgrading a pyrolysis oil comprising the following steps: —hydrodeoxygenation treatment (10) of the pyrolysis oil (12) and separation of the effluent (16) obtained into a light aqueous fraction (18) and a heavy organic fraction (20), or separation of the pyrolysis oil into an aqueous fraction and a lignin-rich fraction, —pre-reforming (22) of said aqueous fraction (18) and treatment of the effluent (26) obtained in an SMR unit (28) in order to produce hydrogen (34), —hydrotreatment (40) and/or catalytic cracking and/or visbreaking of said heavy organic fraction (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Total Raffinage Marketing
    Inventor: Alexandre Preau
  • Patent number: 8900415
    Abstract: A process and a unit for fluidized bed torrefaction and grinding of particles of a biomass with a largest dimension of 2 cm to 5 cm, and which unit contains an envelope having a general shape of a sector having a) two substantially vertical walls delimiting that sector; and b) at least one inclined wall defining three zones, from bottom to top: a lower zone provided with a fluidization means, and provided with a grinder placed at the bottom of that zone; an intermediate zone (2) provided with a fluidization means; and an upper zone (3) provided with a fluidization means; and a pipe (11) for introducing the particles reaching into the unit to the level of the intermediate zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: IFP Energies Nouvelles
    Inventors: Matthieu Rolland, Sylvain Louret
  • Patent number: 8884086
    Abstract: A process is described that permits the manufacture of renewable diesel while simultaneously manufacturing petroleum based jet fuel and/or diesel fuel. The process provides for the sulfiding of hydroprocessing catalyst used to hydroprocess sulfur deficient biomass derived feedstocks and permits the use of petroleum derived feedstock deactivated hydroprocessing catalyst in biomass derived feedstock service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventor: John W. Shabaker
  • Patent number: 8876925
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for converting a biomass material to a stabilized bio-oil. The process comprises converting the biomass to a pyrolytic oil having suspended therein particles of metal compounds, and removing at least part of the suspended metal compounds to obtain a stabilized bio-oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: KiOR, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Brady, Dennis Stamires, Paul O'Connor
  • Patent number: 8865954
    Abstract: A process has been developed for producing diesel boiling range fuel from renewable feedstocks such as fats and oils from plants and animals where the process provides for sulfur-component management. The process involves catalytically treating a renewable feedstock by hydrogenating and deoxygenating to provide a hydrocarbon fraction useful as a diesel boiling range fuel. A selective separation such as a hot high pressure hydrogen stripper may be used to remove at least the carbon oxides from the first zone effluent and provide a liquid recycle stream at pressure and temperature. A vapor stream is separated from the net process effluent and at least carbon dioxide is removed using at least one selective or flexible amine absorber. The resulting hydrogen-rich stream is recycled to the reaction zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Tom N. Kalnes, Terry L. Marker, John P. Brady
  • Patent number: 8865953
    Abstract: A process has been developed for producing diesel boiling range fuel from renewable feedstocks such as plant and animal fats and oils, the process providing for sulfur management. The process involves catalytically treating a renewable feedstock by hydrogenating and deoxygenating to provide a hydrocarbon fraction useful as a diesel boiling range fuel. The hydrocarbon fraction is isomerized to improve cold flow properties. A selective separation such as a hot high pressure hydrogen stripper is used to remove at least the carbon oxides from the first zone effluent before entering the isomerization zone, and to provide liquid recycle to the treating zone at pressure and temperature. A vapor stream is separated from the isomerization effluent and at least carbon dioxide is removed using at least one selective or flexible amine solution absorber. The resulting hydrogen-rich stream is recycled to the deoxygenation reaction zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: John P. Brady, Tom N. Kalnes, Terry L. Marker
  • Patent number: 8864984
    Abstract: This invention relates to compositions comprising fluid hydrocarbon products, and to methods for making fluid hydrocarbon products via catalytic pyrolysis. Some embodiments relate to methods for the production of specific aromatic products (e.g., benzene, toluene, naphthalene, xylene, etc.) via catalytic pyrolysis. Some such methods involve the use of a composition comprising a mixture of a solid hydrocarbonaceous material and a heterogeneous pyrolytic catalyst component. The methods described herein may also involve the use of specialized catalysts. For example, in some cases, zeolite catalysts may be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: University of Massachusetts
    Inventors: George W. Huber, Yu-Ting Cheng, Torren Carlson, Tushar Vispute, Jungho Jae, Geoff Tompsett
  • Patent number: 8853476
    Abstract: A process has been developed for producing diesel boiling range fuel or fuel blending component from renewable feedstocks such as plant oils and greases. The process involves treating a renewable feedstock by hydrogenating and deoxygenating i.e. decarboxylating and/or hydrodeoxygenating to provide a hydrocarbon fraction useful as a diesel fuel. The hydrocarbon fraction is isomerized to improve cold flow properties. At least one interstage stream of the hydrogenating and deoxygenating reaction zone is heat exchanged with the feed to the isomerization reaction zone, and/or the effluent of the hydrogenating and deoxygenating reaction zone is heat exchanged with the feed to the isomerization reaction zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignees: UOP LLC, ENI S.p.A.
    Inventors: Tom N. Kalnes, John P. Brady, Marco Di Stanislao
  • Patent number: 8853484
    Abstract: A process and system for separating and upgrading bio-oil into renewable fuels is provided. The process comprises separating bio-oil into a light fraction, an optional intermediate fraction, and heavy fraction based on their boiling points. The light fraction and optional intermediate fraction can be upgraded via hydrotreatment to produce a renewable gasoline and a renewable diesel, which may be combined with their petroleum-derived counterparts. The heavy fraction may be subjected to cracking and further separated into light, intermediate, and heavy fractions in order to increase the yield of renewable gasoline and renewable diesel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: KiOR, Inc.
    Inventors: Maria Magdalena Ramirez Corredores, Vicente Sanchez Iglesias
  • Patent number: 8853475
    Abstract: A process for producing a renewable hydrocarbon fuel. The process can include providing a feed including a lignocellulosic material to a pyrolysis zone to produce a stream including a pyrolysis oil, providing the pyrolysis oil stream to a refining zone producing a refined stream, providing at least a portion of the refined stream to a reforming zone producing a stream including hydrogen, providing at least a portion of the hydrogen stream to the refining zone; and recovering the renewable hydrocarbon fuel from the refined stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: Tom N. Kalnes
  • Patent number: 8846992
    Abstract: A process for converting biomass to hydrocarbons and oxygenates that may include providing a biomass feedstock and de-oxygenating the biomass feedstock to form a solid-intermediate. The process may further include liquefaction of the solid intermediate, which may be carried out either by rapid heating followed by condensation or by liquefying by applying high pressure. The liquefaction of the solid intermediate may produce a mixture of hydrocarbons and oxygenates, which is generally termed as biocrude. Further, the biocrude is processed by one or more refining means for production of hydrocarbons that can be used as fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Philips 66 Company
    Inventors: Edgar Lotero, Alexandru Platon, Daren E. Daugaard, Kristi Fjare
  • Patent number: 8841494
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for forming hydrocarbon products from triglycerides are described. 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Inventor: David Bradin
  • Patent number: 8829258
    Abstract: Integrating a biomass pyrolysis and upgrading process into a fluid catalytic cracking unit. The process uses conventional FCC feed and a mixture of a solvent and biomass to produce upgraded fuel products. A slurry stream composed of solid biomass particles and a solvent is fed into an FCC riser through a slurry pump to achieve biomass pyrolysis and in situ pyrolysis oil upgrading. The catalytic cracking of the conventional petroleum feed also occurs in the riser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Phillips 66 Company
    Inventors: Kening Gong, Alexandru Platon, Terry S. Cantu, Daren E. Daugaard
  • Patent number: 8822744
    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 10% by weight of a biocomponent feedstock. The mineral hydrocarbon portions of the feed sources can be distillate or heavier feed sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Tahmid I. Mizan, Zhiguo Hou, William E. Lewis
  • Patent number: 8816142
    Abstract: A method comprising the steps of providing a fatty acyl mixture comprising: (i) a C10-C16 acyl carbon atom chain content of at least 30 wt. % wherein at least 80% of the C10-C16 acyl carbon atom chains are saturated; and (ii) a C18-C22 acyl carbon atom chain content of at least 20 wt. % wherein at least 50% of the acyl C18-C22 carbon atom chains contain at least one olefin; oligomerizing at least some of the mixture to yield a second mixture comprising C36+ oligomers; hydrotreating the second mixture to yield a quantity of diesel fuel blendstock and C36+ alkanes; and separating at least some of the diesel fuel blendstock from the C36+ alkanes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen J. Miller
  • Patent number: 8816143
    Abstract: A method comprising providing a fatty acyl mixture comprising: (i) a C10-C16 acyl carbon atom chain content of at least 30 wt. % wherein at least 80% of the C10-C16 acyl carbon atom chains are saturated; and (ii) a C18-C22 acyl carbon atom chain content of at least 20 wt. % wherein at least 50% of the acyl C18-C22 carbon atom chains contain at least one double bond; hydrolyzing the mixture to yield a quantity of C10-C16 saturated fatty acids and C18-C22 unsaturated fatty acids; oligomerizing at least some of the C18-C22 unsaturated fatty acids to yield a quantity of C36+ fatty acid oligomers; hydrotreating at least some of the C10-C16 saturated fatty acids and at least some of the C36+ fatty acid oligomers to yield a quantity of diesel fuel blendstock and C36+ alkanes; and separating at least some of the diesel fuel blendstock from the C36+ alkanes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen J. Miller
  • Patent number: 8809605
    Abstract: Technologies to convert biomass to liquid hydrocarbon fuels are currently being developed to decrease our carbon footprint and increase use of renewable fuels. Since sugars/sugar derivatives from biomass have high oxygen content and low hydrogen content, coke becomes an issue during zeolite upgrading to liquid hydrocarbon fuels. A process was designed to reduce the coke by co-feeding sugars/sugar derivatives with a saturated recycle stream containing hydrogenated products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Phillips 66 Company
    Inventors: Yun Bao, Edward L. Sughrue, II, Jianhua Yao, TiePan Shi, Kristi A. Fjare, Lisa L. Myers, Ronald E. Brown
  • Patent number: 8809606
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for processing of waste and low-value products to produce useful materials in reliable purities and compositions, at acceptable cost, without producing malodorous emissions, and with high energy efficiency are disclosed. In particular, multi-stage processes are disclosed to convert various feedstocks such as offal, animal manures, municipal sewage sludge, tires, and plastics, that otherwise have little commercial value, to useful materials including gas, oil, specialty chemicals, and carbon solids. Disclosed processes subject the feedstock to heat and pressure, separates out various components, then further applies heat and pressure to one or more of those components. Various materials produced at different points in the process may be recycled and used to play other roles within the process. Also disclosed are apparatus for performing multi-stage processes of converting waste products into useful materials, and at least one oil product that arises from the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: AB-CWT LLC
    Inventors: Brian S. Appel, Terry N. Adams, Michael J. Roberts, William F. Lange, James H. Freiss, Craig T. Einfeldt, Michael Charles Carnesi
  • Patent number: 8802905
    Abstract: A unique, integrated non-obvious pathway to convert biomass to biofuels using integration of chemical processes is described herein. The present invention is simple, direct, and provides for the shortest or minimum path between biomass and transportation fuels with alcohols as intermediates, while avoiding hydrogen use during processing. Furthermore, the present invention allows the manufacture of “drop-in” substitutable fuels to be used as-is without modifications instead of conventional petroleum based fuels. The processing described herein is done under mild conditions, under relatively low pressures and temperatures, and under non-corrosive conditions obviating use of special equipment or materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignees: The Texas A&M University System, Byogy Renewables, Inc.
    Inventors: Mahmoud M. El-Halwagi, Kenneth R. Hall, Harold Dennis Spriggs
  • Patent number: 8796494
    Abstract: A method of catalytically preparing a fluid product from solid carbonaceous material is described. In the method, at least one of the following equilibria is established by one or more catalysts: a) CH3OH=CO+2H2, b) CO+H2O=CO2+H2. In some versions, the solid carbonaceous material is woody biomass. Components of the fluid product can include one or a combination of C5-C9 alcohols. In certain versions, the method can be practiced with substantially all of the carbon in the carbonaceous material being converted to the fluid product. Also, in some versions, the fluid product can be prepared with substantially no char formation. The fluid product of various versions can be used directly as fuel or as a reagent for preparing commodity chemicals without the need for separating the fluid product components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Theodore D. Matson, Peter C. Ford, Gerald Macala, Alexei Iretski
  • Publication number: 20140208995
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of torrefaction of an optionally predried biomass in a torrefaction reactor such that torrefied biomass and torrefaction gases are obtained, and wherein an oxygen-containing gas is supplied to the torrefaction reactor at a first position in the reactor such that oxygen reacts with components of the torrefaction gases under the formation of heat and wherein torrefaction gases are withdrawn from the torrefaction reactor at a second position of the torrefaction reactor and wherein the first position is located downstream of the second position in relation to a biomass transport direction in the torrefaction reactor such that the torrefaction gases moves through the torrefaction reactor countercurrent with the biomass transport and wherein the optionally predried biomass has a temperature of between 30° C. and 230° C., preferably between 50° C. and 200° C., most preferably between 60° C. and 180° C. when entering the torrefaction rector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: BIOENDEV AB
    Inventors: Ingemar Olofsson, Martin Nordwaeger, Erik Sandstrom, Linda Pommer, Anders Nordin
  • Publication number: 20140202073
    Abstract: A method for torrefying biomass comprises using an oxidation catalyst to combust gas produced by torrefaction, and thereby produce combustion flue gas. The method also comprises introducing the combustion flue gas into a torrefaction reactor and/or a cooler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: Advanced Torrefaction Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Mark Alan Leonhardt
  • Publication number: 20140202072
    Abstract: The invention relates to to a method and an arrangement for precise monitoring and control of torrefaction temperature, which enables accurate control of the quality and properties of the torrefied material. The method includes determining the surface temperature of the biomass in the torrefaction arrangement is using an IR-thermometer and hot nitrogen gas a purge gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: BIOENDEV AB
    Inventors: Ingemar Olofsson, Martin Nordwaeger