Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the invention provide a process of increasing the cetane number rating of a diesel oil feedstock. The process involves reacting a diesel fuel feedstock in liquid form with ozone in gaseous form in the presence of an alcohol having two or more carbon atoms and at least one polar solvent different from the alcohol, thereby forming an ozonated diesel oil containing oxidized byproducts, wherein the alcohol and said polar solvent are employed in amounts totaling no more than about 10 vol. % of the feedstock. The oxidized byproducts are then separated from the ozontated diesel oil to produce a hydrocarbon product of increased cetane number rating relative to the feedstock oil. The product can be used as a diesel fuel or as a diesel fuel extender mixed with conventional diesel fuel of low cetane number.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the invention provide a process of increasing the cetane number rating of a diesel oil feedstock. The process involves reacting a diesel fuel feedstock in liquid form with ozone in gaseous form in the presence of an alcohol having two or more carbon atoms and at least one polar solvent different from the alcohol, thereby forming an ozonated diesel oil containing oxidized byproducts, wherein the alcohol and said polar solvent are employed in amounts totaling no more than about 10 vol. % of the feedstock. The oxidized byproducts are then separated from the ozontated diesel oil to produce a hydrocarbon product of increased cetane number rating relative to the feedstock oil. The product can be used as a diesel fuel or as a diesel fuel extender mixed with conventional diesel fuel of low cetane number.

Abstract: A method is taught for producing diesel fuels of high cetane value from a triglyceride feedstock, comprising pretreating the triglyceride feedstock by thermal cracking to partially convert the triglycerides and produce a middle distillates stream, and catalytically hydrotreating the middle distillate fraction to produce high cetane value diesel fuels. A biomass-derived diesel fuel is also taught having sulphur content below 10 ppm, a cetane-value of at least 70, a cloud point below 0° C. and a pour point of less than ?4° C. A blended diesel fuel is also taught comprising 5 to 20 vol. % of the biomass-derived diesel fuel of the present invention and 80 to 95 vol. % of a petroleum diesel, based on total volume of the blended diesel fuel.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of converting glycerol to oxygenates (i.e. one or more oxygen-containing hydrocarbons) of lower boiling point than glycerol itself The method involves reaction of glycerol with an alcohol under reduced pressure at a reaction temperature in a range of 150 to 300° C. in the presence of an oxygenation (solid acid) catalyst. The reaction product contains volatile oxygenates that may be used as fuels or fuel additives.

Abstract: A method is presented for producing biodiesel from a triglyceride feedstock. The feedstock is pretreated by thermal cracking or rapid pyrolysis to form a middle distillate fraction rich in fatty acids. The middle distillate fraction is then treated by vapour phase esterification under vacuum and in the presence of an alcohol and a solid acid catalyst to produce a biodiesel stream. The biodiesel stream can be treated with a basic solution to convert residual free fatty acids to non-foaming metallic soaps, which are separated by known means. A method is also provided for producing a biodiesel/naphtha mixture, in which a triglyceride feedstock is pretreated by thermal cracking or rapid pyrolysis to produce a middle distillate fraction, a naphtha stream and a gas stream. The naphtha stream and the middle distillate fraction are then treated by vapour phase esterification under vacuum and in the presence of an alcohol and a solid acid catalyst to produce a mixed biodiesel/naphtha stream.

Abstract: A process for purifying a P(VDF-TrFE) copolymer to produce an improved high performance copolymer for pyroelectric conversion. Pellets of a P(VDF-TrFE) copolymer are dissolved in a solvent to form a solution. Subsequently, anhydrous ethanol is added to the solution to initiate copolymer gel precipitation, after which the solution is separated to obtain the gel precipitate, which is subsequently washed and dried. The resulting copolymer has fewer impurities and higher resistivity, thereby being suitable for use in applications such as pyroelectric converters. The purified copolymer also exhibits phase transition characteristics that allow for increased power output.

Abstract: A method is taught for producing diesel fuels of high cetane value from a triglyceride feedstock, comprising pretreating the triglyceride feedstock by thermal cracking or rapid pyrolysis to partially convert the triglycerides and produce a middle distillates stream, and catalytically hydrotreating the middle distillate fraction to produce high cetane value diesel fuels. A biomass-derived diesel fuel is also taught having sulphur content below 10 ppm, a cetane-value of at least 70, a cloud point below 0° C. and a pour point of less than ?4° C. A blended diesel fuel is also taught comprising 5 to 20 vol. % of the biomass-derived diesel fuel of the present invention and 80 to 95 vol. % of a petroleum diesel, based on total volume of the blended diesel fuel.

Abstract: A method is presented for producing biodiesel from a triglyceride feedstock. The feedstock is pretreated by thermal cracking or rapid pyrolysis to convert triglycerides to form a middle distillate fraction rich in fatty acids. The middle distillate fraction is then esterified the in the presence of an alcohol and a catalyst to produce a biodiesel stream. The biodiesel stream can be treated with a basic solution to convert unesterified free fatty acids to non-foaming metallic soaps, which can be removed by known means. A method is also provided for producing a biodiesel/naphtha mixture, in which a triglyceride feedstock is pretreated by thermal cracking or rapid pyrolysis to produce a middle distillate fraction, a naphtha stream and a gas stream.

Abstract: A method is presented for producing biodiesel from a triglyceride feedstock. The feedstock is first thermally cracked to remove contaminants and convert triglycerides to form a middle distillate fraction rich in fatty acids. The middle distillate fraction is then esterified the in the presence of an alcohol and a catalyst to produce a biodiesel stream. The biodiesel stream can be treated with a basic solution to convert unesterified free fatty acids to non-foaming metallic soaps, which can be removed by centrifugation, filtering or a combination thereof. A method is also provided for producing a biodiesel/naphtha mixture, in which a triglyceride feedstock is thermally cracked to produce a middle distillate fraction, a naphtha stream and a gas stream. The naphtha stream and the middle distillate fraction are then esterified to produce a mixed biodiesel/naphtha stream, which can be treated with a basic solution to convert unesterified free fatty acids to non-foaming metallic soaps.

Abstract: A method is taught for producing diesel fuels of high cetane value from a triglyceride feedstock, comprising pretreating the triglyceride feedstock by thermal cracking to partially convert the triglycerides and produce a middle distillates stream, and catalytically hydrotreating the middle distillate fraction to produce high cetane value diesel fuels. A biomass-derived diesel fuel is also taught having sulphur content below 10 ppm, a cetane-value of at least 70, a cloud point below 0° C. and a pour point of less than ?4° C. A blended diesel fuel is also taught comprising 5 to 20 vol. % of the biomass-derived diesel fuel of the present invention and 80 to 95 vol. % of a petroleum diesel, based on total volume of the blended diesel fuel.

Abstract: A process for purifying a P(VDF-TrFE) copolymer to produce an improved high performance copolymer for pyroelectric conversion. Pellets of a P(VDF-TrFE) copolymer are dissolved in a solvent to form a solution. Subsequently, anhydrous ethanol is added to the solution to initiate copolymer gel precipitation, after which the solution is separated to obtain the gel precipitate, which is subsequently washed and dried. The resulting copolymer has fewer impurities and higher resistivity, thereby being suitable for use in applications such as pyroelectric converters. The purified copolymer also exhibits phase transition characteristics that allow for increased power output.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing hydrocarbon fuels with ultra-low levels of sulfur. The method involves catalytic oxidation of the sulfurous compounds within the hydrocarbon fuel, followed by extraction of the oxidized (and polarized) sulfurous compounds using a polar solvent. The present invention teaches the involvement of ethanol during catalytic oxidation. In this way, the oxidation catalyst has a dual-role in the oxidation process: firstly the catalyst directly oxidizes the sulfurous compounds, and secondly the oxidation catalyst converts of a small portion of the alcohol to the corresponding peroxy acid, which also helps to drive the oxidation process.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing hydrocarbon fuels with ultra-low levels of sulfur. The method involves catalytic oxidation of the sulfurous compounds within the hydrocarbon fuel, followed by extraction of the oxidized (and polarized) sulfurous compounds using a polar solvent. The present invention teaches the involvement of ethanol during catalytic oxidation. In this way, the oxidation catalyst has a dual-role in the oxidation process: firstly the catalyst directly oxidizes the sulfurous compounds, and secondly the oxidation catalyst converts of a small portion of the alcohol to the corresponding peroxy acid, which also helps to drive the oxidation process.

Abstract: When the temperature of pyroelectric film is increased from low to high near its phase transition temperature its ability to hold electrical charge on its surfaces diminishes, and the charge can be drawn as current through an external load resistor. Once the film temperature reaches a steady temperature, no more power can be drawn. However, if the film temperature is lowered again, it will restore charge on the film surfaces and the pyroelectric conversion process can be repeated. Because pyroelectric conversion depends on the degree of temperature change and the repetition rate of the process, the faster the cycling the more power it can generate by converting heat to electric power. An improved apparatus and method is disclosed for converting heat to electrical energy with a multi-layer stack of thin pyroelectric films. The pyroelectric film surface is cycled between higher and lower temperatures by the displacement of higher and lower temperature fluid over the film surface.

Abstract: A low temperature stable diesel fuel composition includes diesel oil, ethanol, and a solubliser of C14-C18 fatty acids from biodegradable sources e.g. tall oil or depitched tall oil. This fuel remains stable at temperatures as low as −20° C.

Abstract: A process is described for removing contaminants from thermally cracked waste oil, e.g. used motor oil. In the process the cracked waste oil is contacted with a solvent comprising methanol. The thermally cracked waste oil is then separated from the solvent whereby a substantial portion of the contaminants are removed into the solvent. Thereafter, the solvent is separated from the contaminants and recycled.

Abstract: A novel diesel engine fuel is in the form of a pyrolysis liquid-in-diesel oil microemulsion fuel comprising: (a) diesel oil in an amount sufficient to form a continuous phase in the composition; (b) a pyrolysis liquid forming a discontinuous phase in the composition, this pyrolysis liquid being a liquid obtained by rapid pyrolysis of biomass; and (c) at least one emulsifier selected from nonionic hydrophilic surfactants with HLB between 4 and 18, derived from fatty acids and polyoxyethylene glycol, or fatty acids, sorbitol and polyoxyethylene or polyethoxylated alcohols with long aliphatic chains. This fuel has excellent stability and physical properties similar to those of regular diesel fuel.

Abstract: A process is described for removing chlorides from crude oils, including heavy oils and bitumens. The process steps comprise (1) mixing a non-ionic surfactant with the crude oil, (2) bubbling a gas into the crude oil-surfactant mixture to form a froth, (3) centrifuging the frothed mixture to obtain a chloride containing sediment and an oil product of reduced chloride content and (4) collecting the oil product.

Abstract: An improved process is described for agglomerating ground coal in which a bridging oil is used as the agglomerating vehicle. This bridging oil is a mixture of a heavy gas oil obtained from coal/oil coprocessing and a heavy hydrocarbon oil, such as bitumen or heavy oil, preferably mixed in the proportion of about 23-40% heavy hydrocarbon oil and 60-77% heavy gas oil. The agglomerated product is mixed with additional heavy oil or bitumen and it becomes the feedstock to a coal/oil coprocessor, with heavy gas oil being formed as one of the product streams. At least part of this heavy gas oil product stream is recycled to the agglomeration stage as the heavy gas oil component of the bridging oil. This agglomeration procedure has the advantage of providing an agglomerate of excellent quality, while carrying out the agglomeration in a short time at ambient temperature and using less than 10% by weight of bridging oil.

Abstract: A novel micro-emulsion is described which is useful as a hydrogenation catalyst. The highly dispersed hydrogenation catalyst is prepared by forming an aqueous solution of a salt of a transition metal and a surfactant, adding this solution to heated petroleum pitch or a mixture thereof with a petroleum distillate, such as heavy gas oil, and mixing vigorously until a stable water-in-oil micro-emulsion is formed having an average diameter of less than about 1500 .ANG., which upon exposure to severe reducing conditions produces catalyst particles having an average size of less than about 500 .ANG.. The micro-emulsion thus formed is highly stable and has a long shelf-life and the catalyst particles formed under hydrogenation conditions are much smaller than previously reported.