Abstract: Technology to convert syngas into aviation fuel is described. Some variations provide a process comprising: providing a starting syngas stream comprising H2 and CO; purifying the syngas feed stream, if necessary; feeding the clean syngas stream to an alcohol-synthesis reactor, to catalytically convert syngas to a C1-C10 mixed-alcohol stream; feeding the C1-C10 mixed-alcohol stream to a dehydration reactor, to catalytically convert C1-C10 mixed alcohols to C2-C10 mixed olefins; feeding the mixed olefins to an oligomerization reactor, to catalytically convert the C2-C10 mixed olefins to C5-C16 mixed hydrocarbons; feeding the C5-C16 mixed hydrocarbons and hydrogen to a hydrogenation reactor, to catalytically hydrogenate C?C double bonds within the C5-C16 mixed hydrocarbons, thereby generating stabilized C5-C16 mixed hydrocarbons; and recovering the stabilized C5-C16 mixed hydrocarbons as aviation fuel. In preferred embodiments, the aviation fuel is sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) under ASTM D7566-24a.

Abstract: Technology to convert syngas into aviation fuel is described. Some variations provide a process comprising: providing a starting syngas stream comprising H2 and CO; purifying the syngas feed stream, if necessary; feeding the clean syngas stream to an alcohol-synthesis reactor, to catalytically convert syngas to a C1-C10 mixed-alcohol stream; feeding the C1-C10 mixed-alcohol stream to a dehydration reactor, to catalytically convert C1-C10 mixed alcohols to C2-C10 mixed olefins; feeding the mixed olefins to an oligomerization reactor, to catalytically convert the C2-C10 mixed olefins to C5-C16 mixed hydrocarbons; feeding the C5-C16 mixed hydrocarbons and hydrogen to a hydrogenation reactor, to catalytically hydrogenate C?C double bonds within the C5-C16 mixed hydrocarbons, thereby generating stabilized C5-C16 mixed hydrocarbons; and recovering the stabilized C5-C16 mixed hydrocarbons as aviation fuel. In preferred embodiments, the aviation fuel is sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) under ASTM D7566-24a.

Abstract: Technology to convert syngas into aviation fuel is described. Some variations provide a process comprising: providing a starting syngas stream comprising H2 and CO; purifying the syngas feed stream, if necessary; feeding the clean syngas stream to an alcohol-synthesis reactor, to catalytically convert syngas to a C1-C10 mixed-alcohol stream; feeding the C1-C10 mixed-alcohol stream to a dehydration reactor, to catalytically convert C1-C10 mixed alcohols to C2-C10 mixed olefins; feeding the mixed olefins to an oligomerization reactor, to catalytically convert the C2-C10 mixed olefins to C5-C16 mixed hydrocarbons; feeding the C5-C16 mixed hydrocarbons and hydrogen to a hydrogenation reactor, to catalytically hydrogenate C?C double bonds within the C5-C16 mixed hydrocarbons, thereby generating stabilized C5-C16 mixed hydrocarbons; and recovering the stabilized C5-C16 mixed hydrocarbons as aviation fuel. In preferred embodiments, the aviation fuel is sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) under ASTM D7566-24a.

Abstract: Some variations provide a process for producing mixed alcohols, comprising: purifying a biogas feedstock to generate a renewable natural gas stream comprising methane; introducing the renewable natural gas stream into a methane-to-syngas unit operated at effective conditions to convert the methane to a first syngas stream containing at least H2, CO, and CO2; purifying the first syngas stream, including separating the CO2 from the first syngas stream, and optionally separating some of the H2 from the first syngas stream, thereby generating a clean syngas stream; introducing the clean syngas stream into a mixed-alcohol reactor operated at effective alcohol synthesis conditions with an alcohol-synthesis catalyst, thereby generating mixed alcohols; and purifying the mixed alcohols to generate a mixed-alcohol product. The mixed-alcohol product may be blended with a hydrocarbon fuel, such as gasoline, to produce a blended fuel.

Abstract: It has been discovered that mixed-alcohol production can utilize the waste tail gas stream from the pressure-swing adsorption section of an industrial hydrogen plant. Some variations provide a process for producing mixed alcohols, comprising: obtaining a tail-gas stream from a methane-to-syngas unit (e.g., a steam methane reforming reactor); compressing the tail-gas stream; separating the tail-gas stream into at least a syngas stream, a CO2-rich stream, and a CH4-rich stream; introducing the syngas stream into a mixed-alcohol reactor operated at effective alcohol synthesis conditions in the presence of an alcohol-synthesis catalyst, thereby generating mixed alcohols; and purifying the mixed alcohols to generate a mixed-alcohol product.

Abstract: Some variations provide a process for producing mixed alcohols, comprising: purifying a biogas feedstock to generate a renewable natural gas stream comprising methane; introducing the renewable natural gas stream into a methane-to-syngas unit operated at effective conditions to convert the methane to a first syngas stream containing at least H2, CO, and CO2; purifying the first syngas stream, including separating the CO2 from the first syngas stream, and optionally separating some of the H2 from the first syngas stream, thereby generating a clean syngas stream; introducing the clean syngas stream into a mixed-alcohol reactor operated at effective alcohol synthesis conditions with an alcohol-synthesis catalyst, thereby generating mixed alcohols; and purifying the mixed alcohols to generate a mixed-alcohol product. The mixed-alcohol product may be blended with a hydrocarbon fuel, such as gasoline, to produce a blended fuel.

Abstract: It has been discovered that mixed-alcohol production can utilize the waste tail gas stream from the pressure-swing adsorption section of an industrial hydrogen plant. Some variations provide a process for producing mixed alcohols, comprising: obtaining a tail-gas stream from a methane-to-syngas unit (e.g., a steam methane reforming reactor); compressing the tail-gas stream; separating the tail-gas stream into at least a syngas stream, a CO2-rich stream, and a CH4-rich stream; introducing the syngas stream into a mixed-alcohol reactor operated at effective alcohol synthesis conditions in the presence of an alcohol-synthesis catalyst, thereby generating mixed alcohols; and purifying the mixed alcohols to generate a mixed-alcohol product.

Abstract: Some variations provide a process for producing mixed alcohols, comprising: purifying a biogas feedstock to generate a renewable natural gas stream comprising methane; introducing the renewable natural gas stream into a methane-to-syngas unit operated at effective conditions to convert the methane to a first syngas stream containing at least H2, CO, and CO2; purifying the first syngas stream, including separating the CO2 from the first syngas stream, and optionally separating some of the H2 from the first syngas stream, thereby generating a clean syngas stream; introducing the clean syngas stream into a mixed-alcohol reactor operated at effective alcohol synthesis conditions with an alcohol-synthesis catalyst, thereby generating mixed alcohols; and purifying the mixed alcohols to generate a mixed-alcohol product. The mixed-alcohol product may be blended with a hydrocarbon fuel, such as gasoline, to produce a blended fuel.

Abstract: Some variations provide a process for producing mixed alcohols, comprising: purifying a biogas feedstock to generate a renewable natural gas stream comprising methane; introducing the renewable natural gas stream into a methane-to-syngas unit operated at effective conditions to convert the methane to a first syngas stream containing at least H2, CO, and CO2; purifying the first syngas stream, including separating the CO2 from the first syngas stream, and optionally separating some of the H2 from the first syngas stream, thereby generating a clean syngas stream; introducing the clean syngas stream into a mixed-alcohol reactor operated at effective alcohol synthesis conditions with an alcohol-synthesis catalyst, thereby generating mixed alcohols; and purifying the mixed alcohols to generate a mixed-alcohol product. The mixed-alcohol product may be blended with a hydrocarbon fuel, such as gasoline, to produce a blended fuel.

Abstract: It has been discovered that mixed-alcohol production can utilize the waste tail gas stream from the pressure-swing adsorption section of an industrial hydrogen plant. Some variations provide a process for producing mixed alcohols, comprising: obtaining a tail-gas stream from a methane-to-syngas unit (e.g., a steam methane reforming reactor); compressing the tail-gas stream; separating the tail-gas stream into at least a syngas stream, a CO2-rich stream, and a CH4-rich stream; introducing the syngas stream into a mixed-alcohol reactor operated at effective alcohol synthesis conditions in the presence of an alcohol-synthesis catalyst, thereby generated mixed alcohols; and purifying the mixed alcohols to generate a mixed-alcohol product.

Abstract: Some variations provide a process for producing mixed alcohols, comprising: purifying a biogas feedstock to generate a renewable natural gas stream comprising methane; introducing the renewable natural gas stream into a methane-to-syngas unit operated at effective conditions to convert the methane to a first syngas stream containing at least H2, CO, and CO2; purifying the first syngas stream, including separating the CO2 from the first syngas stream, and optionally separating some of the H2 from the first syngas stream, thereby generating a clean syngas stream; introducing the clean syngas stream into a mixed-alcohol reactor operated at effective alcohol synthesis conditions with an alcohol-synthesis catalyst, thereby generating mixed alcohols; and purifying the mixed alcohols to generate a mixed-alcohol product. The mixed-alcohol product may be blended with a hydrocarbon fuel, such as gasoline, to produce a blended fuel.

Abstract: It has been discovered that mixed-alcohol production can utilize the waste tail gas stream from the pressure-swing adsorption section of an industrial hydrogen plant. Some variations provide a process for producing mixed alcohols, comprising: obtaining a tail-gas stream from a methane-to-syngas unit (e.g., a steam methane reforming reactor); compressing the tail-gas stream; separating the tail-gas stream into at least a syngas stream, a CO2-rich stream, and a CH4-rich stream; introducing the syngas stream into a mixed-alcohol reactor operated at effective alcohol synthesis conditions in the presence of an alcohol-synthesis catalyst, thereby generated mixed alcohols; and purifying the mixed alcohols to generate a mixed-alcohol product.