Abstract: Low metal, low water biomass-derived pyrolysis oils and methods for producing the same are provided. Metal- and water-containing biomass-derived pyrolysis oil is contacted with an acidic ion-exchange resin having sulfonic acid groups to produce a low metal, water-containing biomass-derived pyrolysis oil. The low metal, water-containing biomass-derived pyrolysis oil is removed from the spent ion-exchange resin after ion-exchange. The low metal, water-containing biomass-derived pyrolysis oil is distilled to produce a low metal, low water biomass-derived pyrolysis oil and a distillation product. The distillation product comprises one or both of an alcohol ion-exchange regenerant and an acidic ion-exchange regenerant which may be used to regenerate the spent ion-exchange resin. The regenerated acidic ion-exchange resin may be recycled. The spent alcohol and acid ion-exchange regenerants may be recovered and recycled.

Abstract: Low water-containing biomass-derived pyrolysis oils and processes for preparing them are provided. Water-containing biomass-derived pyrolysis oil is distilled in the presence of an azeotrope-forming liquid to form an azeotrope. The azeotrope is removed at or above the boiling point of the azeotrope and low water biomass-derived pyrolysis oil is obtained.

Abstract: Low metal biomass-derived pyrolysis oils and processes for producing the same are provided. Low metal biomass-derived pyrolysis oil is produced by a process of contacting metal-containing biomass-derived pyrolysis oil with an acidic ion-exchange resin having sulfonic acid groups. Low metal biomass-derived pyrolysis oil is removed from spent acidic ion-exchange resin after ion-exchange.

Abstract: Methods for regenerating acidic ion-exchange resins and reusing regenerants in such methods are provided. A spent ion-exchange resin is contacted with an alcohol ion-exchange regenerant. The spent ion-exchange resin is thereafter contacted with an acidic ion-exchange regenerant to recharge the acidic ion-exchange resin to produce a regenerated acidic ion-exchange resin. Metal- and water-containing biomass-derived pyrolysis oil is then contacted with the regenerated acidic ion-exchange resin to produce low metal, water-containing biomass-derived pyrolysis oil. The regenerated acidic ion-exchange resin may be recycled. The spent alcohol and acid ion-exchange regenerants may be recovered and recycled.

Abstract: A process for stabilizing pyrolysis oil has been developed. The process involves heating the pyrolysis oil at a temperature of about 40° C. to about 85° C. under a reducing atmosphere for a time to stabilize the oil. The reducing atmosphere or gas is preferably hydrogen.

Abstract: Catalytic processes for the conversion of 2,5-dimethyl furan (DMF) to para-xylene are described. Para-xylene is a key product that is currently obtained commercially from petroleum sources. However, it has now been determined that the cycloaddition of ethylene to DMF provides an alternative route to para-xylene. Advantageously, the DMF starting material for the processes may be synthesized from carbohydrates (e.g., glucose or fructose), thereby providing a pathway that relies at least partly, if not completely, on renewable feedstocks.

Abstract: A process for producing a fuel or fuel blending component from co-processing at least two different classes of renewable feedstocks, is presented. One feedstock comprises glycerides and free fatty acids in feedstocks such as plant and animal oils while the other feedstock comprises biomass derived pyrolysis oil. The source of the animal or plant oil and the biomass may be the same renewable source.

Abstract: A process for producing a blended fuel from a paraffin rich component and a cyclic rich component, where each of the components are generated from a renewable feedstock, is presented. The paraffin rich component is generated from glycerides and free fatty acids in feedstocks such as plant and animal oils. The cyclic rich component is generated from biomass derived pyrolysis oil. The source of the animal or plant oil and the biomass may be the same renewable source.

Abstract: A process for producing at least one blended fuel from a paraffin rich component and a cyclic rich component, where each of the components are generated from a renewable feedstock, is presented. The paraffin rich component is generated from glycerides and free fatty acids in feedstocks such as plant and animal oils. The cyclic rich component is generated from biomass derived pyrolysis oil. The source of the animal or plant oil and the biomass may be the same renewable source.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon product stream having hydrocarbons with boiling points in the aviation fuel range is produced from renewable feedstocks such as plant and animal oils. The process involves treating a renewable feedstock by hydrogenating, deoxygenating, isomerization, and selectively hydrocracking the feedstock to produce paraffinic hydrocarbons having from about 9 to about 16 carbon atoms and a high iso/normal ratio in a single reaction zone containing a multifunctional catalyst, or set of catalysts, having hydrogenation, deoxygenation, isomerization and selective hydrocracking functions.

Abstract: A process for controlling the concurrent production of both diesel range hydrocarbons and aviation range hydrocarbons from renewable feedstocks such as plant oils and animal oils. The process involves determining the required specification of the desired products and the desired relative yields of the product that still meet the required specifications. The necessary isomerization and selective hydrocracking zone conditions are determined in order to create a mixture of paraffins which meet the required product specifications and yields. The necessary fractionation zone conditions are determined to separate the desired products.

Abstract: A process for producing at least one blended fuel from a paraffin rich component and a cyclic rich component, where each of the components are generated from a renewable feedstock, is presented. The paraffin rich component is generated from glycerides and free fatty acids in feedstocks such as plant and animal oils. The cyclic rich component is generated from biomass derived pyrolysis oil. The source of the animal or plant oil and the biomass may be the same renewable source.

Abstract: A process for the conversion of biomass derived pyrolysis oil to liquid fuel components is presented. The process includes the production of diesel, aviation, and naphtha boiling point range fuels or fuel blending components by two-stage deoxygenation of the pyrolysis oil and separation of the products.

Abstract: A process for producing a blended fuel from a paraffin rich component and a cyclic rich component, where each of the components are generated from a renewable feedstock, is presented. The paraffin rich component is generated from a first renewable feedstock comprising at least one component selected from the group consisting of glycerides, free fatty acids, biomass, lignocellulose, free sugars, and combinations thereof. The cyclic rich component is generated from a second renewable feedstock comprising at least one component selected from the group consisting of glycerides, free fatty acids, free fatty alkyl esters, biomass, lignocellulose, free sugars, and combinations thereof. The blended fuel may a gasoline boiling point range blended fuel, a diesel boiling point range blended fuel, an aviation boiling point range blended fuel, any combination thereof, or any mixture thereof.

Abstract: A process for the oxidation of methane to methanol has been developed. The process involves contacting a gas stream, comprising methane, a solvent and an oxidizing agent with a catalyst at oxidation conditions to produce a methyl ester. Finally, the methyl ester is hydrolyzed to yield a methanol product stream. The catalyst comprises a transition metal component such as manganese oxide and an inorganic oxide such as silica. The transition metal component can be dispersed onto the inorganic oxide.

Abstract: A process for the selective oxidation of methane to methanol using a supported transition metal catalyst has been developed. Examples of the transition metals which can be used are copper and palladium, while an example of a support is silica. Optionally, the catalyst can contain a modifier component such as cesium. Generally the process involves contacting a gas stream, comprising methane, a solvent such as trifluoroacetic acid and an oxidizing agent such as air or hydrogen peroxide with the catalyst, at oxidation conditions to produce a methyl ester, e.g. methyl trifluoroacetate. Finally, the methyl ester is hydrolyzed to yield a methanol product stream.

Abstract: A process for the oxidation of methane to methanol has been developed. The process involves contacting a gas stream, comprising methane, a solvent and an oxidizing agent with a bimetallic catalyst at oxidation conditions to produce a methyl ester. Finally, the methyl ester is hydrolyzed to yield a methanol product stream. The bimetallic catalyst comprises at least two transition metal components. One example of the catalytic component is a combination of cobalt and manganese.

Abstract: A process and catalyst for preparing organic hydroperoxides by oxidizing hydrocarbon compounds in the presence of an oxygen-containing gas and a catalyst containing a transition metal on a solid support.

Abstract: A process for the production of methanol from methane has been developed. The process involves reacting methane with an oxidant such as oxygen or a peroxide in the presence of a catalyst and a solvent in a reaction zone to produce an effluent stream comprising a methanol product. The effluent stream is next separated into a gaseous stream comprising unreacted methane and carbon dioxide and a liquid stream comprising the methanol product and solvent. Next the gaseous stream is further separated to provide a methane stream which is recycled to the reaction zone. Finally, a methanol stream is isolated and a solvent stream is recycled to the reaction zone.

Abstract: A process for the production of methanol from methane has been developed. The process involves reacting methane with an oxidant such as oxygen or a peroxide in the presence of a catalyst and a solvent in a reaction zone to produce an effluent stream comprising a methanol product. The effluent stream is next separated into a gaseous stream comprising unreacted methane and carbon dioxide and a liquid stream comprising the methanol product and solvent. Next the gaseous stream is further separated to provide a methane stream which is recycled to the reaction zone. Finally, a methanol stream is isolated and a solvent stream is recycled to the reaction zone.