Abstract: The present disclosure relates to processes for producing hydrocarbon fuels from lignocellulosic biomass. A process may include introducing biomass to a pretreatment system forming a pretreatment effluent and introducing the pretreatment effluent to a hydrolysis system forming a hydrolysate. The hydrolysate may be introduced to a lignin separation system to form a sugar-rich stream and a lignin-rich stream. The sugar-rich stream may be introduced to a purification system comprising at least one toxin converting microorganism or subcellular material to form a purified sugar-rich stream, and the purified sugar-rich stream and one or more sugar converting microorganisms are introduced to a bioreactor configured to produce hydrocarbon fuels. Additionally, the present disclosure also related to systems for production of hydrocarbon fuels including, a pretreatment system, a hydrolysis system, a lignin separation system, a purification system, and at least one bioreactor.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and systems for converting biomass comprising lignocellulosic material into biofuels and biochemicals that contribute to reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. In particular, the present disclosure relates to methods and systems for the removal or reduction of impurities during lignocellulosic biomass processing to enhance biorefinery production of biofuels and biochemicals.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to processes for producing hydrocarbon fuels from lignocellulosic biomass. A process may include introducing biomass to a pretreatment system, and a first separation system forming a pentose-rich stream and a pentose-lean stream. The pentose-lean stream may be introduced to a hydrolysis system forming a hydrolysate and the hydrolysate introduced to a second separation system forming a hexose-rich stream and a lignin stream. Additionally, at least one of the pentose-rich stream or the hexose-rich stream may be introduced to a bioreactor containing microorganisms configured to produce hydrocarbon fuels. Additionally, the present disclosure also relates to systems for the production of hydrocarbon fuels. A system may include a pretreatment system, a first separation system, a hydrolysis system, a second separation system, and one or more bioreactors.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to processes for producing hydrocarbon fuels from lignocellulosic biomass. A process may include introducing biomass to a pretreatment system, and a first separation system forming a pentose-rich stream and a pentose-lean stream. The pentose-lean stream may be introduced to a hydrolysis system forming a hydrolysate and the hydrolysate introduced to a second separation system forming a hexose-rich stream and a lignin stream. Additionally, at least one of the pentose-rich stream or the hexose-rich stream may be introduced to a bioreactor containing microorganisms configured to produce hydrocarbon fuels. Additionally, the present disclosure also relates to systems for the production of hydrocarbon fuels. A system may include a pretreatment system, a first separation system, a hydrolysis system, a second separation system, and one or more bioreactors.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for integrated conversion of biomass to ultimately form naphtha and/or diesel boiling range products. The integrated conversion can include an initial conversion of biomass to alcohols, such as by fermentation, followed by conversion of alcohols to olefins and then olefins to naphtha, jet, and diesel boiling range compounds, with high selectivity for formation of diesel boiling range compounds. The integrated conversion process can be facilitated by using a common catalyst for both the conversion of alcohols to olefins and the conversion of olefins to naphtha and/or diesel boiling range compounds. For example, ZSM-48 (an MRE zeotype framework structure catalyst) can be used as the catalyst for both conversion of alcohols to olefins and for oligomerization of olefins with increased selectivity for formation of diesel boiling range products.

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: Systems and methods are provided for conversion of oxygenate feeds to distillate boiling range products using multiple moving bed reactor stages. The systems and methods allow for multiple stages to be used while avoiding the need for distillation or other boiling point based separation as the mixture of feed and effluent is passed between stages. Instead, a stripping gas is used to disengage the feed and effluent from the catalyst solids. In combination with an improved moving bed reactor design, this can allow substantially all of the feed and effluent from a first moving bed reactor stage to be passed into a second moving bed reactor stage, even when the feed and effluent include both vapor and liquid phase portions.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for oligomerization of olefins to distillate boiling range products while also recycling naphtha boiling range olefins as part of the feed. By performing the olefin oligomerization while also recycling naphtha boiling range olefins, it has been discovered that the resulting distillate boiling range products can have an unexpected improvement in diesel combustion quality, such as an unexpected improvement in cetane rating. In order to manage coke formation and maintain consistent activity profile for the oligomerization catalyst, the reaction can be performed in a moving bed reactor. Additional temperature control can be maintained by the recycling of the naphtha boiling range portions of the oligomerization product back to the reactor.

Abstract: A feed distribution apparatus and method of using such an apparatus are provided for introducing a three-phase flow into a moving bed reactor that is operated under co-current flow conditions. The feed distribution apparatus can allow for separate introduction of liquid and solids in a manner that allows for even distribution of liquid within the solids. The gas portion of the flow can be introduced in any of a variety of convenient manners for distributing gas into a liquid or solid flow.

Abstract: A moving bed reactor is provided that can allow facilitate performing a reaction involving a three-phase flow under co-axial flow conditions for the solid and liquid portions of the three phase flow, while the gas portion of the three-phase flow is exposed to the solids under radial flow conditions. Methods for using such a moving bed reactor to perform a reaction, such as upgrading of a feed to distillate products, are also provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for oligomerization of olefins to distillate boiling range products while also recycling naphtha boiling range olefins as part of the feed. By performing the olefin oligomerization while also recycling naphtha boiling range olefins, it has been discovered that the resulting distillate boiling range products can have an unexpected improvement in diesel combustion quality, such as an unexpected improvement in cetane rating. In order to manage coke formation and maintain consistent activity profile for the oligomerization catalyst, the reaction can be performed in a moving bed reactor. Additional temperature control can be maintained by the recycling of the naphtha boiling range portions of the oligomerization product back to the reactor.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for upgrading of methane and/or small alkanes to distillate boiling range hydrocarbons. The upgrading is performed using a reaction system where various types of integration are provided from downstream reaction stages to upstream reaction stages. Such integration can include recycle of various reaction products as well as thermal integration. Having a reaction system that begins with reforming of hydrocarbons and finishes with production of distillate can enable unexpected synergies between downstream reaction stages and upstream reaction stages.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and systems for converting biomass comprising lignocellulosic material into biofuels and biochemicals that contribute to reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. In particular, the present disclosure relates to methods and systems for the removal or reduction of impurities during lignocellulosic biomass processing to enhance biorefinery production of biofuels and biochemicals.

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 Can olefin oligomers, wherein n is an integer having a value of two or greater and about 80 wt. % or greater of the Can olefin oligomers are larger than C8.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for conversion of light paraffinic gases to form liquid products in a process performed in a fixed bed radial-flow reactor. The light paraffins can correspond to C3+ paraffins. Examples of liquid products that can be formed include C6-C12 aromatics, such as benzene, toluene, and xylene. The fixed bed radial-flow reactor can allow for improved control over the reaction conditions for paraffin conversion in spite of the fixed bed nature of the reactor. This can allow the process to operate with improved efficiency while reducing or minimizing the complexity of operation relative to non-fixed bed reactor systems.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to processes for producing hydrocarbon fuels from lignocellulosic biomass. A process may include introducing biomass to a pretreatment system forming a pretreatment effluent and introducing the pretreatment effluent to a hydrolysis system forming a hydrolysate. The hydrolysate may be introduced to a lignin separation system to form a sugar-rich stream and a lignin-rich stream. The sugar-rich stream may be introduced to a purification system comprising at least one toxin converting microorganism or subcellular material to form a purified sugar-rich stream, and the purified sugar-rich stream and one or more sugar converting microorganisms are introduced to a bioreactor configured to produce hydrocarbon fuels. Additionally, the present disclosure also related to systems for production of hydrocarbon fuels including, a pretreatment system, a hydrolysis system, a lignin separation system, a purification system, and at least one bioreactor.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to processes for producing hydrocarbon fuels from lignocellulosic biomass. A process may include introducing biomass to a pretreatment system, and a first separation system forming a pentose-rich stream and a pentose-lean stream. The pentose-lean stream may be introduced to a hydrolysis system forming a hydrolysate and the hydrolysate introduced to a second separation system forming a hexose-rich stream and a lignin stream. Additionally, at least one of the pentose-rich stream or the hexose-rich stream may be introduced to a bioreactor containing microorganisms configured to produce hydrocarbon fuels. Additionally, the present disclosure also relates to systems for the production of hydrocarbon fuels. A system may include a pretreatment system, a first separation system, a hydrolysis system, a second separation system, and one or more bioreactors.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for conversion of oxygenate feeds to distillate boiling range products using multiple moving bed reactor stages. The systems and methods allow for multiple stages to be used while avoiding the need for distillation or other boiling point based separation as the mixture of feed and effluent is passed between stages. Instead, a stripping gas is used to disengage the feed and effluent from the catalyst solids. In combination with an improved moving bed reactor design, this can allow substantially all of the feed and effluent from a first moving bed reactor stage to be passed into a second moving bed reactor stage, even when the feed and effluent include both vapor and liquid phase portions.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for upgrading of methane and/or small alkanes to distillate boiling range hydrocarbons. The upgrading is performed using a reaction system where various types of integration are provided from downstream reaction stages to upstream reaction stages. Such integration can include recycle of various reaction products as well as thermal integration. Having a reaction system that begins with reforming of hydrocarbons and finishes with production of distillate can enable unexpected synergies between downstream reaction stages and upstream reaction stages.

Abstract: A feed distribution apparatus and method of using such an apparatus are provided for introducing a three-phase flow into a moving bed reactor that is operated under co-current flow conditions. The feed distribution apparatus can allow for separate introduction of liquid and solids in a manner that allows for even distribution of liquid within the solids. The gas portion of the flow can be introduced in any of a variety of convenient manners for distributing gas into a liquid or solid flow.