Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing liquid hydrocarbon products from solid biomass and/or residual waste feedstocks.

Abstract: A natural gas separation and purification and mercury collection system for oil and gas wells includes a cyclone separator, a condensation purification and separation mechanism, pressure buffer mechanisms, mercury collection and separation mechanisms, and natural gas storage tanks. An inlet end of the cyclone separator is communicated with an external gas source through a pressure buffer mechanism, and an outlet end of the cyclone separator is communicated with the condensation purification and separation mechanism through a pressure buffer mechanism. The condensation purification and separation mechanism is communicated with the mercury collection and separation mechanism through a pressure buffer mechanism. The mercury collection and separation mechanism is communicated with the natural gas storage tank through a guide tube. A method of use of the natural gas separation and purification and mercury collection system includes gas collection, gas purification, mercury separation, and mercury analysis.

Abstract: A process involves (a) processing a lipid feedstock over a fluidized particulate catalyst in a gas-based stream in a fluid bed reactor to obtain a processed stream and spent catalyst comprising coke deposits, (b) continuously introducing the spent catalyst comprising the coke deposits to a catalyst regeneration unit, (c) continuously operating the catalyst regeneration unit to burn off the coke deposits from the spent catalyst to obtain a regenerated particulate catalyst, and (d) continuously introducing the regenerated particulate catalyst from the catalyst regeneration unit to the fluid bed reactor.

Abstract: Provided in one embodiment is a continuous process for converting waste plastic into recycle for polyethylene polymerization. The process comprises selecting waste plastics containing polyethylene and/or polypropylene, and passing the waste plastics through a pyrolysis reactor to thermally crack at least a portion of the polyolefin waste and produce a pyrolyzed effluent. The pyrolyzed effluent is separated into offgas, a pyrolysis oil and optionally wax comprising a naphtha/diesel and heavy fraction, and char. The pyrolysis oil and wax is passed to a refinery FCC unit from which a liquid petroleum gas C3-C5 olefin/paraffin mixture fraction is recovered. The liquid petroleum gas C3-C5 olefin/paraffin mixture fraction is passed to a refinery alkylation unit, with a propane and butane fraction recovered from the alkylation unit. The propane and butane fraction is then passed to a steam cracker for ethylene production.

Abstract: A method for producing a pyrolysis oil is described. In said method, a feedstock to be treated is first pyrolyzed in a pyrolysis zone, in which the feedstock is heated to a temperature of 250 degrees Celsius to 700 degrees Celsius; and pyrolyzed solids and pyrolysis vapors are formed. The pyrolysis vapors are then reformed at a temperature of 450 degrees Celsius to 1,200 degrees Celsius in a post-conditioning zone, in which the pyrolysis vapors are brought into contact with a catalyst bed, wherein the pyrolysis oil is formed. In this case, the catalyst comprises a pyrolyzed solid, which can be obtained according to the pyrolysis, described above. Finally the pyrolysis oil is separated from the additional pyrolysis products, which are formed, in a separation unit.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a method for recovering products from a fermentation broth. The disclosure relates to the use of dehydration to recover products which have close boiling points, such as ethanol and isopropanol, from a fermentation broth. In an embodiment, the recovery of product is completed in a manner that minimizes stress on the microbial biomass present in the fermentation broth, such that it remains viable, at least in part, and may be recycled and reused in the fermentation process, which may result in increased efficiency in the fermentation process. The dehydration reactor may be used downstream of a distillation vessel and converts products such as ethanol and isopropanol into ethylene and propylene. The ethylene and propylene can be used to prepare a component of a fuel or can be polymerized. To minimize stress on the microbial biomass the distillation vessel may be under vacuum.

Abstract: The present relates to a process for the depolymerization of lignin using chemicals recoverable by the soda or kraft mill recovery cycles. The process involves the use of sodium hydroxide or white liquor to depolymerize lignin in black liquor or other lignins (e.g. hydrolysis lignin, kraft lignin) by conducting the reaction at 170-250° C. for up to 3 hours in the presence or absence of a co-solvent and a capping agent. The depolymerized lignin is then obtained by acidifying the reaction products to a low pH to precipitate the de-polymerized lignin, followed by particle coagulation, cake filtration and washing with acid and water to obtain a purified depolymerized lignin product.

Abstract: A process for converting light paraffins and/or light hydrocarbons to a high octane gasoline composition is disclosed. The process involves: (1) oxidation of iso-paraffins to alkyl hydroperoxides and alcohol; (2) conversion of the alkyl hydroperoxides and alcohol to dialkyl peroxides; and (3) radical coupling of one or more iso-paraffins and/or iso-hydrocarbons using the dialkyl peroxides as radical initiators, thereby forming a gasoline composition comprising gasoline-range molecules including a C7 enriched gasoline composition having a road octane number (RON) greater than 100.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to fuel additive compositions including heavy paraffinic distillates and lighter petroleum distillates, in particular with the heavy paraffinic distillates including a mixture of hydrotreated and/or saturated components and solvent-dewaxed and/or branched components. The disclosure further relates to fuel compositions including the fuel additive composition and a liquid or solid combustible fuel. Related methods include methods of making the fuel compositions and methods of burning the fuel compositions. The resulting fuel compositions have several improved combustion properties such as improved combustion efficiency, improved combustion energy/calorie content, reduced sulfur generation, and reduced ash generation.

Abstract: A method for thermal processing and catalytic cracking of a biomass to effect distillate oil recovery can include, particle size reduction. slurrying the biomass with a carrier fluid to create a reaction mixture, slurrying a catalyst with a carrier fluid to create a catalyst slurry, heating the reaction mixture and/or the catalyst slurry, and depolymerizing the reaction mixture with the catalyst. The reaction mixture can undergo distillation and fractionation to produce distillate fractions that include naphtha, kerosene, and diesel. In some embodiments, thermal processing and catalytic cracking includes vaporization of the biomass followed by distillation and fractionation. In some embodiments, a resulting distillate can be used as a carrier fluid. In some embodiments, the method can include desulfurization, dehydration, and/or decontamination.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments provide a system and method for producing hydrocarbons from biomass. Certain embodiments of the method are particularly useful for producing substitute natural gas from forestry residues. Certain disclosed embodiments of the method convert a biomass feedstock into a product hydrocarbon by hydropyrolysis. Catalytic conversion of the resulting pyrolysis gas to the product hydrocarbon and carbon dioxide occurs in the presence of hydrogen and steam over a CO2 sorbent with simultaneous generation of the required hydrogen by reaction with steam. A gas separator purifies product methane, while forcing recycle of internally generated hydrogen to obtain high conversion of the biomass feedstock to the desired hydrocarbon product. While methane is a preferred hydrocarbon product, liquid hydrocarbon products also can be delivered.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing liquid hydrocarbon products from a feedstock comprising at least one of a solid biomass-containing feedstock and a solid biomass-derived feedstock and in the range of from 50 to 15000 ppmw of chlorides, said process comprising the steps of: a) incorporating a chloride trap material into said feedstock to provide a combined feedstock/chloride trap material; b) densifying the combined feedstock/chloride trap material to form densified feed in the form of pellets or briquettes; c) contacting said densified feed with a hydropyrolysis catalyst composition and molecular hydrogen in a hydropyrolysis reactor vessel at a temperature in the range of from 350 to 600° C. and a pressure in the range of from 0.50 to 7.50 MPa to produce a product stream comprising a deoxygenated hydrocarbon product, H2O, H2, CO2, CO, C1—C3 gases, char and catalyst fines; and d) removing all or a portion of said char and catalyst fines from said product stream.

Abstract: A method for the catalytic conversion of ketoacids, including methods for increasing the molecular weight of ketoacids, the method comprising the steps of providing in a reactor a feedstock comprising at least one ketoacid. The feedstock is then subjected to one or more C—C coupling reaction(s) in the presence of hydrogen, and in the presence of a catalyst system having both hydrogenation activity and C—C coupling activity.

Abstract: Methods of extracting biodiesel from a mixture of biodiesel and alcohol are provided. The methods can include contacting the mixture of biodiesel and alcohol with a petrodiesel to form a two-phase system including a polar phase and a nonpolar phase, wherein the alcohol preferentially partitions into the polar phase and the petrodiesel and biodiesel preferentially partition into the nonpolar phase, and separating the nonpolar phase from the polar phase to extract the biodiesel. The methods can include using a multi-stage extraction apparatus, for example in countercurrent or crosscurrent extraction arrangement. Methods of making a biodiesel blend are also provided. The methods can include making a biodiesel blend with a biodiesel content from about B2 to about B25.

Abstract: Provided are fuel components, a method for producing fuel components, use of the fuel components and fuel containing the fuel components based on 5-nonanone.

Abstract: Methods and uses of a good lubricity fraction obtainable from thermal treatment of levulinic acid and subsequent hydrogenation and fractionation are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to catalytic conversion of ketoacids, including methods for increasing the molecular weight of ketoacids, the method can include providing in a reactor a feedstock comprising at least one ketoacid, water and a base. The feedstock is then subjected to base catalysed condensation reactions.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved catalytic fast pyrolysis process for increased yield of useful and desirable products, while greatly reducing or eliminating fouling of various critical process lines which are likely to transfer heavy hydrocarbons, aromatics and oxygenates. The process comprises steps including feeding a fluid solvent stream having a Snyder Polarity Index of at least 2.4 to one or more of i) the raw fluid product stream from a catalytic fast pyrolysis process fluidized bed reactor to a first separation system, ii) the fluid product stream from the first separation system to a quench vapor/liquid separation system, iii) the vapor phase stream from the quench vapor/liquid separation system to a product recovery system, and, optionally, to the spent catalyst steam stripping system upstream of the catalyst regeneration system.

Abstract: A renewable fuel may be obtained from a bio-oil containing C3-C5 oxygenates. In a first step, the bio-oil is subjected to a condensation reaction in which the oxygenates undergo a carbon-carbon bond forming reaction to produce a stream containing C6+ oxygenates. In a second step, the stream is hydrotreated to produce C6+ hydrocarbons.

Abstract: Methods for deriving a high-C hydrocarbon fuel from an organic source feedstock are provided. The method can include: contacting a mixture of the organic source feedstock and an aldehyde with a catalytic material to produce a product stream comprising a high-C hydrocarbon fuel, and separating the high-C hydrocarbon fuel in the product stream from any remaining organic source feedstock or aldehyde. The catalytic material comprises a metal and a zeolite.

Abstract: The present invention provides processes for deconstructing biomass to produce aqueous and organic products using a solvent produced in a bioreforming reaction.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for thermochemically transforming biomass or other oxygenated feedstocks into high quality liquid hydrocarbon fuels. In particular, a catalytic hydropyrolysis reactor, containing a deep bed of fluidized catalyst particles is utilized to accept particles of biomass or other oxygenated feedstocks that are significantly smaller than the particles of catalyst in the fluidized bed. The reactor features an insert or other structure disposed within the reactor vessel that inhibits slugging of the bed and thereby minimizes attrition of the catalyst. Within the bed, the biomass feedstock is converted into a vapor-phase product, containing hydrocarbon molecules and other process vapors, and an entrained solid char product, which is separated from the vapor stream after the vapor stream has been exhausted from the top of the reactor.

Abstract: A method for thermo-catalytically producing C4+ hydrocarbons from lignocellulosic biomass solids is provided by reducing the water content of the biomass feed prior to biomass hydrothermal hydrocatalytic conversion.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the alteration of the ratio of the specific gravities of the oil and water phases resulting from the conversion of biomass to liquid products, the reduction of the conductivity and of metals of the product mixture, which each can aid in the removal of solids contained in the oil phase.

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: This invention relates to a process for thermochemically transforming biomass or other oxygenated feedstocks into high quality liquid hydrocarbon fuels. In particular, a catalytic hydropyrolysis reactor, containing a deep bed of fluidized catalyst particles is utilized to accept particles of biomass or other oxygenated feedstocks that are significantly smaller than the particles of catalyst in the fluidized bed. The reactor features an insert or other structure disposed within the reactor vessel that inhibits slugging of the bed and thereby minimizes attrition of the catalyst. Within the bed, the biomass feedstock is converted into a vapor-phase product, containing hydrocarbon molecules and other process vapors, and an entrained solid char product, which is separated from the vapor stream after the vapor stream has been exhausted from the top of the reactor.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon conversion process comprises contacting a renewable feedstock under hydroprocessing conditions with a bulk catalyst to form oleochemicals such as fatty alcohols, esters, and normal paraffins. Advantageously, the reaction conditions can be selected to directly convert the renewable feedstock to the desired product(s).

Abstract: A process for converting biomass to products is described. Biomass is contacted with hydrogen in the presence of a fluidized bed of hydropyrolysis catalyst in a reactor vessel under hydropyrolysis conditions; and products and char are removed from the reactor vessel. The products leave the fluidized bed at an exit bed velocity, the char has a settling velocity that is less than the exit bed velocity and hydropyrolysis catalyst has a settling velocity that is greater than the exit bed velocity.

Abstract: A method for preparing fuel components from crude tall oil. Feedstock containing tall oil including unsaturated fatty acids is introduced to a catalytic hydrodeoxygenation to convert unsaturated fatty acids, rosin acids and sterols to fuel components. Crude tall oil is purified in a purification by washing the crude tall oil with washing liquid and separating the purified crude tall oil from the washing liquid. The purified crude tall oil is introduced directly to the catalytic hydrodeoxygenation as a purified crude tall oil feedstock. An additional feedstock may be supplied to the catalytic hydrodeoxygenation.

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.

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.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for producing energy. Specifically, the present invention relates to systems and methods for producing energy, such as energy in the form of electricity, and fuels, such as, for example, biodiesel and/or cellulosic ethanol in a small scale energy center. Moreover, the systems and methods of the present invention provide for recovery of materials, such as in soil production and/or recycling.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for converting biomass to fuels and/or valuable chemicals. The process comprises the steps of a) activating biomass to make it more susceptible to conversion; c) partially converting the biomass to a solubilized material; and d) subjecting the unconverted biomass to a second conversion step. The process optionally comprises a step b) of adding a solvent to the activated biomass. In a preferred embodiment the solubilized biomass obtained in step c) is removed before the unconverted biomass is subjected to step d).

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.

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.

Abstract: A process for quenching, separating and collecting targeted components of a hot pyrolysis product stream from the pyrolysis of biomass is provided. The process utilizes sequential steps of rapid quenching and electrostatic precipitation comprising injecting a coolant comprising at least one of nitrogen, a noble gas and mixtures thereof into a hot pyrolysis vapor to selectively condense a first fraction of components from the hot pyrolysis vapor at a first predetermined temperature which is then collected by electrostatic precipitation in a first electrostatic precipitator at about the first predetermined temperature, where a wall temperature of the first electrostatic precipitator is maintained slightly higher than the first predetermined temperature. The sequential steps of coolant injection and collection are repeated at progressively cooler temperatures in order to selectively collect one or more fractions of the hot mixture.

Abstract: Acyclic monterpene alcohols, like linalool, to be converted through a series of highly efficient catalytic reactions a biogasoline blending component, and a drop-in biodiesel fuel.

Abstract: A bottom fraction of a product of a hydrocatalytic reaction is gasified to generate hydrogen for use in further hydrocatalytic reactions. In one embodiment, an overhead fraction of the hydrocatalytic reaction is further processed to generate higher molecular weight compounds. In another embodiment, a product of the further processing is separated into a bottom fraction and an overhead fraction, where the bottom fraction is also gasified to generate hydrogen for use in further hydrocatalytic reactions.

Abstract: The present invention provides, among other thing, methods for creating significantly deoxygenated bio-oils form biomass including the steps of providing a feedstock, associating the feedstock with an alkali formate to form a treated feedstock, dewatering the treated feedstock, heating the dewatered treated feedstock to form a vapor product, and condensing the vapor product to form a pyrolysis oil, wherein the pyrolysis oil contains less than 30% oxygen by weight.

Abstract: The present invention is directed generally to a method of production of value-added, biobased chemicals from lignin sources, including waste lignin. A method of producing biobased aromatic chemicals, biobased aromatic fuels, and/or lignin residues from lignin is also described herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing aromatic products (benzene/toluene/xylene) and olefinic products from an aromatic-compound-containing oil fraction, whereby it is possible to substitute naphtha as a feedstock for aromatic production and so make stable supply and demand, and it is possible to substantially increase the yield of high-added-value olefinic and high-added-value aromatic components, by providing a method for manufacturing olefinic and aromatic products from light cycle oil comprising a hydrogen-processing reaction step, a catalytic cracking step, an separation step and a transalkylation step, and optionally also comprising a recirculation step.

Abstract: A process for the production of hydrocarbon products from a feed comprising at least one non-pre-treated bio-oil, comprising a first step for hydroreforming in the presence of hydrogen and a hydroreforming catalyst, used alone or as a mixture, to obtain at least one liquid effluent comprising at least one aqueous phase and at least one organic phase, a second step in which at least a portion of the organic phase of the effluent obtained from the first hydroreforming step is recycled to the first hydroreforming step with a recycle ratio equal to the ratio of the mass flow rate of said organic phase to the mass flow rate of the non-pre-treated bio-oil in the range 0.05 to 2 and in which the hydrocarbon effluent obtained from the hydrotreatment and/or hydrocracking step is not recycled to said first hydroreforming step.

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 and heavy fraction based on their boiling points. The heavy fraction is then subjected to hydrotreatment, while the light fraction is not subjected to hydrotreatment. At least a portion of the un-hydrotreated light fraction and at least a portion of the hydrotreated heavy fraction are blended with petroleum-derived gasoline to thereby provide a renewable gasoline, and at least a portion of the hydrotreated heavy fraction is blended with petroleum-derived diesel to thereby provide a renewable diesel.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of producing aromatics and olefins from oils derived from coal or wood, including partially saturating and cracking the oils derived from coal or wood in a hydrogenation and reaction area, separating them depending on the number of carbons, recirculating heavy oils having 11 or more carbons to the hydrogenation and reaction area, feeding oils suitable for producing BTX to an aromatic separation process and a transalkylation process to recover aromatics, and feeding hydrocarbonaceous components having 5 or less carbons to a light separation process, thus obtaining olefins.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of producing aromatics and light paraffins from hydrocarbonaceous oils derived from oil, coal or wood, including partially saturating and hydrocracking the oils derived from oil in a hydrogenation and reaction area, separating them depending on the number of carbons, recirculating heavy oils having 11 or more carbons to the hydrogenation and reaction area, feeding oils suitable for producing BTX to an aromatic separation process and a transalkylation process to recover aromatics, and feeding hydrocarbonaceous components having 5 or fewer carbons to a light separation process, thus obtaining light paraffins.

Abstract: Process for the continuous hydrogenation of triglyceride containing raw materials in a fixed bed reactor system having several catalyst beds arranged in series and comprising at least one hydrogenation catalyst comprising an active phase constituted by a nickel and molybdenum element. The raw material feed, hydrogen containing gas and diluting agent are passed together through the catalyst beds at hydrogenation conditions. The raw material feed stream as well as the stream of hydrogen containing gas are divided into an equal number of different partial streams. These are each passed to one catalyst bed in such a manner that the weight ratio of diluting agent to raw material feed is essentially the same at the entrance of all catalyst beds and does not exceed 4:1. The claimed process is preferably conducted at low temperatures and allows the utilization of existing units due to the low recycle ratio.

Abstract: Described herein are processes for converting a biomass starting material (such as lignocellulosic materials) into a low oxygen containing, stable liquid intermediate that can be refined to make liquid hydrocarbon fuels. More specifically, the process can be a catalytic biomass pyrolysis process wherein an oxygen removing catalyst is employed in the reactor while the biomass is subjected to pyrolysis conditions. The stream exiting the pyrolysis reactor comprises bio-oil having a low oxygen content, and such stream may be subjected to further steps, such as separation and/or condensation to isolate the bio-oil.

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.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing a liquefied fuel oil using biomass as a feedstock, in which a relatively inexpensive liquefaction apparatus is used; a good balance is maintained between the liquefaction of water-insoluble lignin and the liquefaction of water-soluble cellulose to achieve a high yield of the liquefied fuel oil based on the biomass solids content; and the amount of ash derived from an alkali catalyst and the like is low. The method for producing a liquefied fuel oil using biomass as a feedstock is characterized by adding, to biomass comprising lignocellulose, a solvent comprising an organic solvent and having a moisture content adjusted to 10 to 25 wt %, including moisture contained in the biomass, and liquefying the biomass at a temperature of 250 to 350° C.

Abstract: A method for processing biomass to produce biofuel includes decomposing lignocellulosic material into byproduct polymers that include lignin, decomposing the lignin into targeted chemical fragments, and chemically converting the targeted chemical fragments into a biofuel.