Abstract: A process for making a catalytic system for converting solid biomass into fuel of specialty chemical products is disclosed. The process includes preparing a slurry precursor mixture by mixing an aluminosilicate clay material with a pore regulating agent and optionally a binder, shaping the mixture into shaped bodies; removing the pore regulating agent to form porous shaped bodies, preparing an aqueous reaction mixture comprising the porous shaped bodies in presence of a zeolite seeding material, and thermally treating the aqueous reaction mixture to form the catalyst system. The catalyst system can comprise, for example, a MFI-type zeolite.

Abstract: A system and method for processing biomass into hydrocarbon fuels that includes processing a biomass in a hydropyrolysis reactor resulting in hydrocarbon fuels and a process vapor stream and cooling the process vapor stream to a condensation temperature resulting in an aqueous stream. The aqueous stream is sent to a catalytic reactor where it is oxidized to obtain a product stream containing ammonia and ammonium sulfate. A resulting cooled product vapor stream includes non-condensable process vapors comprising H2, CH4, CO, CO2, ammonia and hydrogen sulfide.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for forming a low-metal biomass-derived pyrolysis oil are provided. In an embodiment, a method for forming a low-metal biomass-derived pyrolysis oil includes washing biomass comprising a water-soluble metal component therein with wash water that is substantially free of water-soluble metals. The washed biomass and water containing water-soluble metal are separated after washing the biomass. The washed biomass is pyrolyzed in a pyrolysis process to form a pyrolysis vapor stream. A portion of the pyrolysis vapor stream is condensed to form a condensate. The wash water is derived from the washed biomass. In an embodiment of an apparatus, the apparatus comprises a washing stage, a biomass dryer, a pyrolysis reactor, a quenching system comprising a primary condenser and a secondary condenser, and a return line that connects the quenching system to the washing stage.

Abstract: A biomass pyrolysis product is quenched by direct cooling with a cold quench fluid and initial product separation is performed based on boiling point and solubility in the quench fluid. A properly chosen quench fluid may act as a selective solvent, thus providing dilution of unstable precursors of pyrolytic lignin or other heavy by-products, and/or separation of certain undesirable pyrolysis oil components such as water and light acids.

Abstract: Methods, compositions and systems using isoprene from a bioisoprene composition derived from renewable carbon for production of a variety of hydrocarbon fuels, fuel additives, and additives for fine chemistry and other uses is described.

Abstract: Processes and reactor systems are provided for the conversion of oxygenated hydrocarbons to hydrocarbons, ketones and alcohols useful as liquid fuels, such as gasoline, jet fuel or diesel fuel, and industrial chemicals. The process involves the conversion of mono-oxygenated hydrocarbons, such as alcohols, ketones, aldehydes, furans, carboxylic acids, diols, triols, and/or other polyols, to C4+ hydrocarbons, alcohols and/or ketones, by condensation. The oxygenated hydrocarbons may originate from any source, but are preferably derived from biomass.

Abstract: Processes for producing reduced acid lignocellulosic-derived pyrolysis oil are provided. In a process, lignocellulosic material is fed to a heating zone. A basic solid catalyst is delivered to the heating zone. The lignocellulosic material is pyrolyzed in the presence of the basic solid catalyst in the heating zone to create pyrolysis gases. The oxygen in the pyrolysis gases is catalytically converted to separable species in the heating zone. The pyrolysis gases are removed from the heating zone and are liquefied to form the reduced acid lignocellulosic-derived pyrolysis oil.

Abstract: A process for regenerating a coked catalytic cracking catalyst which the carbon-containing deposits on the catalyst contains at least 1 wt % bio-carbon, based on the total weight of carbon present in the carbon-containing deposits is provided. Such coked catalytic cracking catalyst is contacted with an oxygen containing gas at a temperature of equal to or more than 550° C. in a regenerator to produce a regenerated catalytic cracking catalyst, heat and carbon dioxide.

Abstract: This invention discloses a process for making high viscosity index lubricating base oils having a viscosity index of at least 110 by co-feeding a ketone or a beta-keto-ester feedstock with a lubricant oil feedstock directly to a hydrocracking unit to produce a hydrocracked stream. Then at least a portion of the hydrocracked stream is treated under hydroisomerization conditions to produce a high viscosity index lubricating base oil. The process may involve bypassing a hydrotreating or hydrofinishing step, which may result in improved efficiency and economics in producing high viscosity index lubricating base oils.

Abstract: The present application generally relates to methods to prepare a fuel from a liquid biomass by first producing the liquid biomass from a solid biomass by a thermal process, and then processing the liquid biomass with a petroleum fraction in the presence of a catalyst.

Abstract: A process has been developed for producing diesel boiling range fuel from renewable feedstocks such as plant oils and animal oils, fats, and greases. The process involves treating a renewable feedstock by hydrogenating and deoxygenating to provide a hydrocarbon fraction useful as a diesel or aviation boiling range fuel or fuel blending component. If desired, the hydrocarbon fraction can be isomerized to improve cold flow properties. A portion of the hydrogenated and deoxygenated feedstock is used as a non-flashing liquid quench stream to control the temperature of the hydrogenation and deoxygenation reactor.

Abstract: A process for biomass catalytic cracking is described herein. More specifically, the process comprises heating the cellulosic biomass to a conversion temperature in presence of a mixed metal oxide catalyst represented by the formula (X1O).(X2O)a.(X3YbO4), wherein X1, X2 and X3 are alkaline earth elements selected from the group of Mg, Ca, Be, Ba , and mixture thereof, and Y is a metal selected from the group of Al, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cr, Ga, B, La, P and mixture thereof.

Abstract: Biofuels can be produced via an organic phase hydrocatalytic treatment of biomass using an organic solvent that is partially miscible with water. An organic hydrocarbon-rich phase from the hydrocatalytically treated products can be recycled to form at least a portion of the organic phase.

Abstract: Techniques, systems, apparatus and material are described for generating renewable energy from biomass waste while sequestering carbon. In one aspect, a method performed by a reactor to dissociate raw biomass waste into a renewable source energy or a carbon byproduct or both includes receiving the raw biomass waste that includes carbon, hydrogen and oxygen to be dissociated under an anaerobic reaction. Waste heat is recovered from an external heat source to heat the received raw biomass waste. The heated raw biomass waste is dissociated to produce the renewable fuel, carbon byproduct or both. The dissociating includes compacting the heated raw biomass waste, generating heat from an internal heat source, and applying the generated heat to the compacted biomass waste under pressure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for upgrading a pyrolysis oil comprising the following steps: —hydrodeoxygenation treatment (10) of the pyrolysis oil (12) and separation of the effluent (16) obtained into a light aqueous fraction (18) and a heavy organic fraction (20), or separation of the pyrolysis oil into an aqueous fraction and a lignin-rich fraction, —pre-reforming (22) of said aqueous fraction (18) and treatment of the effluent (26) obtained in an SMR unit (28) in order to produce hydrogen (34), —hydrotreatment (40) and/or catalytic cracking and/or visbreaking of said heavy organic fraction (20).

Abstract: Process for producing paraffinic hydrocarbons, the process comprising the following steps: (a) contacting hydrogen and a feedstock comprising triglycerides, diglycerides, monoglycerides and/or fatty acids with a hydrogenation catalyst under hydrodeoxygenation conditions; and (b) contacting the whole effluent of step (a) with a hydroprocessing catalyst comprising sulphided Ni and sulphided W or Mo as hydrogenation components on a carrier comprising amorphous silica-alumina and/or a zeolitic compound under hydro-isomerization conditions.

Abstract: A process and hydrodeoxygenation catalyst for producing high-quality diesel and naphtha fuels from a feedstock that contains oxygen containing components derived from renewable organic material in which the hydrodeoxygenation catalyst is a supported Mo catalyst and in which the support has a bimodal porous structure. The hydrodeoxygenation catalyst has a Mo content of 0.1 to 20 wt %. The support is alumina, silica, titania or combinations thereof, and the support has a bimodal porous structure with pores with a diameter larger than 50 nm that constitute at least 2 vol % of the total pore volume.

Abstract: A method of producing from a biomass mesitylene-isopentane fuel is provided. A biomass may be fermented to form acetone. The acetone is converted in a catalytic reactor to mesitylene and mesityl oxide. The mesitylene is separated in a phase separator and the organic face containing mesityl oxide is sent to a dehydration reactor, then to a demethylation reactor, and finally to a hydrogenation reactor from which isopentane is recovered. This isopentane is then mixed with the mesitylene to form the final mesitylene-isopentane fuel. The catalytic reaction with acetone employs catalysts of either niobium, vanadium or tantalum.

Abstract: A process for converting a solid biomass material comprising: a) providing a solid biomass material; b) contacting a feed comprising the solid biomass material and a petroleum-derived hydrocarbon composition, which petroleum derived hydrocarbon composition has a C7-asphaltenes content of equal to or more than 1.0 wt %, based on the total weight of the petroleum-derived hydrocarbon composition, co-currently with a source of hydrogen in one or more ebullating bed reactors comprising a catalyst at a temperature in the range from 350° C. to 500° C. to produce a reaction product.

Abstract: A process can include making a bio-diesel, a bio-naphtha, and optionally bio-propane from a complex mixture of natural occurring fats & oils. The complex mixture can be subjected to a refining treatment for removing a major part of non-triglyceride and non-fatty acid components to obtain refined oils. The refined oils can be subjected to a fractionation step to obtain a substantially unsaturated liquid triglyceride part (phase L), and a substantially saturated solid triglyceride part (phase S). The phase L can transformed into alkyl-esters as bio-diesel by a transesterification. The phase S can be transformed into substantially linear paraffin's as the bio-naphtha by an hydrodeoxygenation. Fatty acids can be obtained from the phase S and transformed into substantially linear paraffin's as the bio-naphtha by hydrodeoxygenation or decarboxylation. Fatty acids soaps can be obtained from the phase S that are transformed into substantially linear paraffin's as the bio-naphtha by decarboxylation.

Abstract: A process and system is disclosed for optimizing a key parameter of a biomass feedstock that enhances bio-oil production. The process and system involves optimizing the values of the key parameter in multiple biomass feedstocks by regulating their feed rates and blending those feedstocks to produce a cumulative biomass feedstock with an optimal value for the key parameter. The key parameter in the biomass feedstocks is measured and the feed rates of the multiple biomass feedstocks are adjusted in order to produce a cumulative biomass feedstock exhibiting optimal values for the desired key parameter. The key parameters can include compositional properties, such as lignin content or mineral content, and/or fluidization properties of the biomass materials, such as density, particle cohesion force, or particle size.

Abstract: Pyrolysis fuels and methods for processing pyrolysis fuel are provided. In one embodiment, a method of processing pyrolysis fuel converts biomass to pyrolysis fuel including pyrolysis oil and char particles. Also, the method includes resizing a portion of the char particles so that substantially all resized char particles have a largest dimension no greater than about 5 microns.

Abstract: A process for the conversion of lignin to chemical precursors is presented. The process comprises treating the lignin to form less acidic compounds. The process includes reacting lignin with a hydrogenation catalyst under a hydrogen atmosphere to convert acidic oxygenate compounds to less acidic oxygenates or hydrocarbons. The oxygenate compounds are reacted in a dehydrogenation and deoxygenation process to remove the oxygen and to convert the cyclic hydrocarbons back to aromatic compounds.

Abstract: This invention relates to compositions comprising fluid hydrocarbon products, and to methods for making fluid hydrocarbon products via catalytic pyrolysis. Some embodiments relate to methods for the production of specific aromatic products (e.g., benzene, toluene, naphthalene, xylene, etc.) via catalytic pyrolysis. Some such methods involve the use of a composition comprising a mixture of a solid hydrocarbonaceous material and a heterogeneous pyrolytic catalyst component. The methods described herein may also involve the use of specialized catalysts. For example, in some cases, zeolite catalysts may be used.

Abstract: A process has been developed for producing diesel boiling range fuel from renewable feedstocks such as fats and oils from plants and animals where the process provides for sulfur-component management. The process involves catalytically treating a renewable feedstock by hydrogenating and deoxygenating to provide a hydrocarbon fraction useful as a diesel boiling range fuel. A selective separation such as a hot high pressure hydrogen stripper may be used to remove at least the carbon oxides from the first zone effluent and provide a liquid recycle stream at pressure and temperature. A vapor stream is separated from the net process effluent and at least carbon dioxide is removed using at least one selective or flexible amine absorber. The resulting hydrogen-rich stream is recycled to the reaction zone.

Abstract: A process has been developed for producing diesel boiling range fuel from renewable feedstocks such as plant and animal fats and oils, the process providing for sulfur management. The process involves catalytically treating a renewable feedstock by hydrogenating and deoxygenating to provide a hydrocarbon fraction useful as a diesel boiling range fuel. The hydrocarbon fraction is isomerized to improve cold flow properties. A selective separation such as a hot high pressure hydrogen stripper is used to remove at least the carbon oxides from the first zone effluent before entering the isomerization zone, and to provide liquid recycle to the treating zone at pressure and temperature. A vapor stream is separated from the isomerization effluent and at least carbon dioxide is removed using at least one selective or flexible amine solution absorber. The resulting hydrogen-rich stream is recycled to the deoxygenation reaction zone.

Abstract: A system and method for processing biomass into hydrocarbon fuels that includes processing a biomass in a hydropyrolysis reactor resulting in hydrocarbon fuels and a process vapor stream and cooling the process vapor stream to a condensation temperature resulting in an aqueous stream. The aqueous stream is sent to a catalytic reactor where it is oxidized to obtain a product stream containing ammonia and ammonium sulfate. A resulting cooled product vapor stream includes non-condensable process vapors comprising H2, CH4, CO, CO2, ammonia and hydrogen sulfide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an integrated method for producing cellulose and at least one low-molecular-weight reusable material, in which a starting material containing lignocellulose is provided and subjected to a decomposition with a processing medium. A fraction enriched with cellulose and a fraction depleted of cellulose is then isolated from the decomposition material, the depleted fraction of cellulose being subjected to a treatment during which at least one low-molecular-weight reusable material is obtained.

Abstract: A process for producing a renewable hydrocarbon fuel. The process can include providing a feed including a lignocellulosic material to a pyrolysis zone to produce a stream including a pyrolysis oil, providing the pyrolysis oil stream to a refining zone producing a refined stream, providing at least a portion of the refined stream to a reforming zone producing a stream including hydrogen, providing at least a portion of the hydrogen stream to the refining zone; and recovering the renewable hydrocarbon fuel from the refined stream.

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, an optional intermediate fraction, and heavy fraction based on their boiling points. The light fraction and optional intermediate fraction can be upgraded via hydrotreatment to produce a renewable gasoline and a renewable diesel, which may be combined with their petroleum-derived counterparts. The heavy fraction may be subjected to cracking and further separated into light, intermediate, and heavy fractions in order to increase the yield of renewable gasoline and renewable diesel.

Abstract: A biocomponent feedstock can be hydroprocessed using a hydrogen-containing refinery as a source of hydrogen gas. A relatively low cost catalyst, such as a water gas shift catalyst and/or spent hydrotreating catalyst, can be used as a hydrogenation catalyst for the process. The hydroprocessing can allow for olefin saturation and/or deoxygenation of the biocomponent feed by using a relatively low value refinery stream, e.g., containing from about 20 mol % to about 60 mol % hydrogen.

Abstract: Digestion of cellulosic biomass to produce a hydrolysate may be accompanied by the formation of cellulosic fines which may be damaging to system components. Biomass conversion systems that may address the issue of cellulosic fines may comprise a fluid circulation loop comprising: a hydrothermal digestion unit; a solids separation unit that is in fluid communication with an outlet of the hydrothermal digestion unit; where the solids separation unit comprises a plurality of filters and the filters are in fluid communication with the fluid circulation loop in both a forward and a reverse flow direction; and a catalytic reduction reactor unit that is in fluid communication with an outlet of the solids separation unit and an inlet of the hydrothermal digestion unit; where at least one of the plurality of filters is in fluid communication with an inlet of the catalytic reduction reactor unit.

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: Compositions and methods for forming hydrocarbon products from triglycerides are described. In one aspect, the methods involve the thermal decomposition of fatty acids, which can be derived from the hydrolysis of triglycerides. The thermal decomposition products can be combined with low molecular weight olefins, such as Fischer-Tropsch synthesis products, and subjected to molecular averaging reactions. Alternatively, the products can be subjected to hydrocracking reactions, isomerization reactions, and the like. The products can be isolated in the gasoline, jet and/or diesel fuel ranges. Thus, vegetable oils and/or animal fats can be converted using water, catalysts, and heat, into conventional products in the gasoline, jet and/or diesel fuel ranges.

Abstract: The thermochemical conversion of biomass material to one or more reaction products includes generating thermal energy with at least one heat source, providing a volume of feedstock, providing a volume of supercritical fluid, transferring a portion of the generated thermal energy to the volume of supercritical fluid, transferring at least a portion of the generated thermal energy from the volume of supercritical fluid to the volume of feedstock, and performing a thermal decomposition process on the volume of feedstock with the thermal energy transferred from the volume of supercritical fluid to the volume of the feedstock in order to form at least one reaction product.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method for the production of one or more olefins from the residue of at least one renewable natural raw material. The present invention is advantageously related to a method that is integrated with a processing method for processing renewable natural agricultural raw materials for the production of propylene, and optionally of ethylene and butylene, mainly from the residues of the processed renewable natural agricultural raw material. The propylene is obtained from the gasification reaction of the lignocellulosic materials and of other organic products contained in the raw material residues, followed by the formation of methanol and its subsequent transformation into propylene, where this route may further generate ethylene and/or butylene as by-products.

Abstract: Method for fast pyrolysis of lignocellulose including: mechanically comminuting the lignocellulose to lignocellulose particles; at least one of completely drying and preheating the lignocellulose particles; mixing the lignocellulose particles with heat transfer particles so as to provide a mixture; heating the heat transfer particles, prior to the mixing, to a temperature between 500° C. and 650° C.; and heating, in a pyrolysis reactor with oxygen excluded, the lignocellulose particles using the heat transfer particles so as to establish a temperature between 400° C. and 600° C. for 1 to 50 seconds and so as to react the lignocellulose particles so as to provide pyrolysis coke, pyrolysis condensate, and pyrolysis gas.

Abstract: Described is a method for converting biomass derived pyrolysis oil (bio-oil) into materials that will be more useful for transportation fuels including the following two steps: 1) solubilizing and extracting bio-oil oxygenates, and 2) zeolite catalyzed hydrogenation of the oxygenates into renewable fuel range materials.

Abstract: Processes are provided for producing a diesel fuel product having a sulfur content of 10 ppm by weight or less from feed sources that include up to 10% by weight of a biocomponent feedstock. The mineral hydrocarbon portions of the feed sources can be distillate or heavier feed sources.

Abstract: Processes are provided for deoxygenation of a biocomponent feedstock with reduced hydrogen consumption. The biocomponent feedstock can be processed under relatively low hydrogen partial pressures and at a relatively low treat gas ratio compared to the hydrogen need of the feedstock. The relatively low pressure, relatively low treat gas ratio hydroprocessing can result in reduced production of water and carbon monoxide and in increased production of carbon dioxide compared to relatively higher pressure process conditions.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for processing of waste and low-value products to produce useful materials in reliable purities and compositions, at acceptable cost, without producing malodorous emissions, and with high energy efficiency are disclosed. In particular, multi-stage processes are disclosed to convert various feedstocks such as offal, animal manures, municipal sewage sludge, tires, and plastics, that otherwise have little commercial value, to useful materials including gas, oil, specialty chemicals, and carbon solids. Disclosed processes subject the feedstock to heat and pressure, separates out various components, then further applies heat and pressure to one or more of those components. Various materials produced at different points in the process may be recycled and used to play other roles within the process. Also disclosed are apparatus for performing multi-stage processes of converting waste products into useful materials, and at least one oil product that arises from the process.

Abstract: Technologies to convert biomass to liquid hydrocarbon fuels are currently being developed to decrease our carbon footprint and increase use of renewable fuels. Since sugars/sugar derivatives from biomass have high oxygen content and low hydrogen content, coke becomes an issue during zeolite upgrading to liquid hydrocarbon fuels. A process was designed to reduce the coke by co-feeding sugars/sugar derivatives with a saturated recycle stream containing hydrogenated products.

Abstract: A process for co-production of renewable diesel fuel range hydrocarbons and gasoline fuel range hydrocarbons from biomass-derived oils and fatty materials (e.g. triglycerides, diglycerides, monoglycerides, and free fatty acids) and biomass-derived polyol (e.g. sorbitol, xylitol, trehalose, sucrose, and sugar alcohol), respectively, in a same refinery hydrotreater with or without co-feeding of diesel fuel range hydrocarbons.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gas oil composition for winter use, which can achieve environment load reduction, excellent low-temperature properties and low fuel consumption all together. The gas oil composition comprises on the basis of the total mass thereof, an FT synthetic base oil and/or a hydrotreated animal or vegetable oil with specific characteristics in an amount of 70 percent by volume or more and 98 percent by volume or less, a petroleum base oil with specific characteristics in an amount of 2 percent by volume or more and 30 percent by volume or less and a cold flow improver comprising an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer and/or a compound with a surface active effect.

Abstract: A method of catalytically preparing a fluid product from solid carbonaceous material is described. In the method, at least one of the following equilibria is established by one or more catalysts: a) CH3OH=CO+2H2, b) CO+H2O=CO2+H2. In some versions, the solid carbonaceous material is woody biomass. Components of the fluid product can include one or a combination of C5-C9 alcohols. In certain versions, the method can be practiced with substantially all of the carbon in the carbonaceous material being converted to the fluid product. Also, in some versions, the fluid product can be prepared with substantially no char formation. The fluid product of various versions can be used directly as fuel or as a reagent for preparing commodity chemicals without the need for separating the fluid product components.

Abstract: Processes are provided for producing a diesel fuel product having a sulfur content of 10 ppm by weight or less from feed sources that include up to 50% by weight of a biocomponent feedstock. The biocomponent feedstock is co-processed with a heavy oil feed in a severe hydrotreating stage. The product from the severe hydrotreatment stage is fractionated to separate out a diesel boiling range fraction, which is then separately hydrotreated.

Abstract: A process or a system for converting a solid biomass material is provided, comprising contacting the solid biomass material with a catalytic cracking catalyst at a temperature of more than 400° C. in a riser reactor to produce one or more cracked products. The riser reactor contains: a riser reactor pipe, which riser reactor pipe has a diameter that increases in a downstream direction; and a bottom section connected to the riser reactor pipe, which bottom section has a larger diameter than the riser reactor pipe.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods (processes) and systems for processing triglyceride-containing, biologically-derived oils to provide for base oils and transportation fuels, wherein partial oligomerization of fatty acids contained therein provide for an oligomerized mixture from which the base oils and transportation fuels can be extracted. Such methods and systems can involve an initial hydrotreating step or a direct isomerization of the oligomerized mixture.

Abstract: A biochar generator may include a pyrolysis chamber, a heater connected to the pyrolysis chamber and a biochar collection chamber in communication with the pyrolysis chamber. A biochar collection chamber sensor may sense a composition of the biochar collected in the biochar collection chamber to define a sensed composition of the biochar. A controller in electrical communication with the biochar collection chamber sensor may utilize the sensed composition of the biochar to dynamically alter conditions in the pyrolysis chamber to alter the composition of the biochar.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods and apparatuses for producing an aromatic hydrocarbon-containing effluent are provided herein. The method comprises the step of rapidly heating a biomass-based feedstock to a first predetermined temperature of from about 300 to about 650° C. in the presence of a catalyst, hydrogen, and an organic solvent within a time period of about 20 minutes or less to form the aromatic hydrocarbon-containing effluent. The biomass-based feedstock comprises lignocellulosic material, lignin, or a combination thereof.