From Wood Patents (Class 585/242)
  • Publication number: 20140187830
    Abstract: Methods are disclosed for producing synthetic fuel from carbon-containing polymeric feedstock using a select catalyst mixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: American Fuel Producers, LLC
    Inventor: Jose Maria Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 8766024
    Abstract: It has been discovered that the residence time of oils/fats in metal apparatus, particularly in the upstream of a hydrotreating unit, for example, a heat exchanger and/or a storage/feed tank, can impact significantly on corrosiveness of oils/fats in combination with and without conventional hydrocarbons. In addition, it is also found that the presence of hydrogen in the metal apparatus can also inhibit the corrosion rate of oils/fats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Phillips 66 Company
    Inventors: Jianhua Yao, Devadas Panjala, Edward L. Sughrue, II, Eric W. Vetters, Bruce Randolph
  • Patent number: 8754274
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a procedure to produce bio-fuels of natural origin from organic wastes. In particular the present invention concerns a procedure to obtain bio-fuels starting from the organic fraction of waste comprising a phase of extraction with a solvent of said organic fraction and a separation of said bio-fuel from said solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Università delgi Studi di Milano
    Inventor: Fabrizio Adani
  • Patent number: 8754275
    Abstract: Embodiments of methods and apparatuses for producing and aromatic hydrocarbon-rich effluent from a lignocellulosic material are provided herein. The method comprises the step of combining the lignocellulosic material and an aromatic hydrocarbon-rich diluent to form a slurry. Hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst is contacted with the slurry at reaction conditions to form the aromatic hydrocarbon-rich effluent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Timothy A. Brandvold, Mark Koch
  • Patent number: 8748680
    Abstract: A process for catalytic hydrotreatment of a pyrolysis oil derived from lignocelluloses is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Johannes Antonius Hogendoorn, Sascha Reinier Aldegonda Kersten, Lavanya Meesala, Ferran De Miguel Mercader, Argi Joachim Antonio Moppi, Colin John Schaverien
  • Patent number: 8742184
    Abstract: Process for hydrogenating a carboxylic acid or derivative thereof by feeding a carboxylic acid or derivative thereof and hydrogen to a reactor, maintaining conditions therein such that hydrogen reacts with the carboxylic acid and/or derivative thereof to form a product stream including one or more hydrocarbons and one or more oxides of carbon and feeding the product stream to a flash separator. A vapor fraction including the one or more oxides of carbon is separated from a liquid fraction having the one or more hydrocarbons. The concentration of carbon oxides in the flash separator is at or below a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: BP Oil International Limited
    Inventors: Nicholas John Gudde, James Adam Townsend
  • Patent number: 8742183
    Abstract: A process has been developed for producing aviation fuel from renewable feedstocks such as plant oils and animal fats and oils. The process involves treating a renewable feedstock by hydrogenating and deoxygenating to provide n-paraffins having from about 8 to about 24 carbon atoms. At least some of the n-paraffins are isomerized to improve cold flow properties. At least a portion of the paraffins are selectively cracked to provide paraffins meeting specifications for different aviation fuels such as JP-8.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. McCall, Terry L. Marker, Richard E. Marinangeli, Joseph A. Kocal
  • Patent number: 8735637
    Abstract: A method for converting crude tall oil into high quality diesel fuels include the steps of (a) removal of non-oil contaminants present in the crude tall oil and recovery of valuable organic, (b) heating and removing the volatile fractions of the refined tall oil stream from step (a) and forming a volatiles free oil stream comprising organic components with boiling points of 170° C. and higher, (c) vacuum distilling the volatiles free oil stream of from step (b) to produce a first and second stream the first stream including components with boiling points between 170-400° C. and the second stream comprising components having boiling points greater than 400° C. and (d) passing the first stream into a catalytic reactor wherein hydrogenation and deoxygenation take place to produce a diesel range fuel depleted in oxygen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Sunpine AB
    Inventors: Lars Stigsson, Valeri Naydenov
  • Patent number: 8729325
    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 centripetal force-based separation mechanism that comprises a fluid outlet and a solids outlet; and a catalytic reduction reactor unit that is in fluid communication with the fluid outlet of the centripetal force-based separation mechanism and an inlet of the hydrothermal digestion unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventor: Joseph Broun Powell
  • Patent number: 8729330
    Abstract: Non-hydrotreated biocomponent feeds can be mixed with mineral feeds and processed under catalytic isomerization/dewaxing conditions. The catalytic isomerization/dewaxing conditions can be selected to advantageously also substantially deoxygenate the mixed feed. Diesel fuel products with improved cold flow properties can be produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Patrick L. Hanks, Timothy L. Hilbert, William J. Novak, Christopher G. Oliveri
  • Patent number: 8729323
    Abstract: There is provided a process for converting high free fatty acid containing feedstock such as acidulated soapstock into hydrocarbon compound especially fuel range hydrocarbons using amidation as a pretreatment step followed by hydroprocessing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Phillips 66 Company
    Inventors: Geetha Kothandaraman, Sundararajan Uppili, Jianhua Yao
  • Patent number: 8729322
    Abstract: Conversion of renewable hydrocarbons to transportation fuels is required to reduce carbon emission, limit the use of fossil fuels, and develop renewable energy sources. Sorbitol, xylitol and trehelose are polyalcohols generated from the liquefaction of various sugars and carbohydrates in biomass from algae, corn, sugarcane, switchgrasses, and biological wastes. Mixtures of aqueous polyols and fuel feedstocks are catalyzed over metal catalysts to produce hexanes, pentanes, and lighter hydrocarbons. By managing the catalyst, reaction conditions and sulfur content, the octane value of the product fuel is dramatically increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Phillips 66 Company
    Inventors: Edward L. Sughrue, Jianhua Yao
  • Patent number: 8729324
    Abstract: Biomass conversion systems may incorporate integrated heat management to operate more efficiently during biomass conversion. Biomass conversion systems may comprise a first fluid circulation loop comprising a hydrothermal digestion unit, and a first catalytic reduction reactor unit in fluid communication with an inlet and an outlet of the hydrothermal digestion unit; and a second fluid circulation loop comprising a reaction product take-off line in fluid communication with the first fluid circulation loop, a second catalytic reduction reactor unit in fluid communication with the reaction product take-off line, and a recycle line establishing fluid communication between the first fluid circulation loop and an outlet of the second catalytic reduction reactor unit, where the first catalytic reduction reactor unit contains at least one first catalyst and the second catalytic reduction reactor unit contains at least one second catalyst, each being capable of activating molecular hydrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Joseph Broun Powell, Juben Nemchand Chheda
  • Patent number: 8722948
    Abstract: In a method for thermal processing of slurry, slurry is combined with a bio-mass to produce a mixture. The mixture is subjected in a heated mixer pump to a cracking temperature, thereby allowing the mixture to catalytically undergo a cracking reaction to produce a reaction mixture which is directly outgased in the mixer pump to produce an outgased portion and a solid portion. The outgased portion and the solid portion are separately discharged from the mixer pump; with the low boiling fraction of the outgased portion allowed to cool down for further processing, and the solid portion collected in a residual matter container for further processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Inventor: Jürgen Buchert
  • Patent number: 8709239
    Abstract: A process is disclosed process for converting a solid or highly viscous carbon-based energy carrier material to liquid and gaseous reaction products, said process comprising the steps of: a) contacting the carbon-based energy carrier material with a particulate catalyst material b) converting the carbon-based energy carrier material at a reaction temperature between 200° C. and 450° C., preferably between 250° C. and 350° C., thereby forming reaction products in the vapor phase. In a preferred embodiment the process comprises the additional step of: c) separating the vapor phase reaction products from the particulate catalyst material within 10 seconds after said reaction products are formed. In a further preferred embodiment step c) is followed by: d) quenching the reaction products to a temperature below 200° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: KiOR, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul O'Connor, Dennis Stamires, Jacob Adriaan Moulijn
  • Patent number: 8704019
    Abstract: Biomass based feeds are processed under hydrothermal treatment conditions to produce a hydrocarbon liquid product and a solids portion. The hydrothermal treatment is performed in the presence of catalyst particles. The presence of the heterogeneous catalyst can modify the nature of the hydrocarbon products produced from the hydrothermal treatment. After the hydrothermal treatment, the catalyst particles can be separated from the algae-based solids, to allow for recycle of the catalyst particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Exxonmobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Paul D. Oldenburg, Virginia M. Roberts, Michel Daage, Paul J. Berlowitz, David C. Long, Halou Oumar-Mahamat
  • Patent number: 8704020
    Abstract: Biomass based feeds are processed under hydrothermal treatment conditions, e.g., to produce a hydrocarbon liquid product and a solids portion. The hydrothermal treatment is performed in the presence of a dissolved catalyst or catalyst precursor. The presence of the dissolved catalyst or catalyst precursor can modify the nature of the hydrocarbon products produced from the hydrothermal treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Virginia M. Roberts, Michel Daage, James R. Bielenberg, Paul J. Berlowitz, Paul D. Oldenburg, David C. Long, Halou Oumar-Mahamat
  • Patent number: 8702822
    Abstract: Methods and reactors for producing a fuel are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the method uses a biomass feedstock and alkane and/or alcohol feedstock, which can be contacted with a metal-containing catalyst to form products including a bio-oil. In some embodiments, oxygen-containing functional groups can be removed from a bio-oil using one or more zeolite thin films.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Aditya Bhan, Michael Tsapatsis, Lanny D. Schmidt, Paul J. Dauenhauer
  • Patent number: 8697924
    Abstract: Liquid fuel compositions comprising one or more C4+ compounds derived from a water soluble oxygenated hydrocarbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignees: Shell Oil Company, Virent, Inc
    Inventors: Joanna Margaret Bauldreay, Paul George Blommel, Randy Douglas Cortright, Richard John Price
  • Publication number: 20140100396
    Abstract: The present invention provides, among other thing, methods for creating significantly deoxygenated bio-oils form biomass including the steps of providing a feedstock, associating the feedstock with an alkali formate to form a treated feedstock, dewatering the treated feedstock, heating the dewatered treated feedstock to form a vapor product, and condensing the vapor product to form a pyrolysis oil, wherein the pyrolysis oil contains less than 30% oxygen by weight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF MAINE SYSTEM BOARD OF TRUSTEES
    Inventors: William Joseph DeSisto, Marshall Clayton Wheeler, Adriaan R.P. van Heiningen
  • Patent number: 8692040
    Abstract: The invention describes a process for treatment of a feedstock that is obtained from a renewable source that comprises a hydrotreatment stage in the presence of at least one fixed-bed catalyst, whereby said catalyst comprises a hydro-dehydrogenating function and an amorphous substrate, at a temperature of between 50 and 450° C., at a pressure of between 1 MPa and 10 MPa, at an hourly volumetric flow rate of between 0.1 h?1 and 10 h?1, and in the presence of a total quantity of hydrogen that is mixed with the feedstock such that the hydrogen/feedstock ratio is between 50 and 1000 Nm3 of hydrogen/m3 of feedstock, followed by a separation from the hydrotreated effluent that is obtained from stage a) of hydrogen, gases, and at least one liquid hydrocarbon effluent that consists of at least 50% linear n-paraffins, and a steam-cracking of at least one portion of the liquid hydrocarbon effluent that is obtained from stage b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: IFP Energies Nouvelles
    Inventors: Quentin Debuisschert, Jean Cosyns, Thierry Chapus, Damien Hudebine
  • Patent number: 8686203
    Abstract: A process for preparing fuels, such as diesel fuels or jet fuels, by hydrotreating vegetable oils or fatty acid derivatives that may be applied to existing equipment for treating fossil fuels. The process comprises feeding hydrotreating a combined oxygenate feed stream, such as FAME, and a hydrocarbon feed stream until not more than 86 wt % of the esters in the oxygenate feed stream are converted to hydrocarbons, and optionally further hydrotreating the product stream within at least a second hydrotreatment reaction zone until at least 90 wt % of the esters in the oxygenate feed stream are converted to hydrocarbons, before removing and separating a hydrocarbon stream suitable for use as fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Patrick L. Hanks, Kathryn Y. Cole, William E. Lewis
  • Patent number: 8686204
    Abstract: Methods for co-processing a biorenewable feedstock and a petroleum distillate feedstock are provided. The petroleum distillate feedstock containing sulfur is reacted with hydrogen gas in the presence of a hydrotreating catalyst thereby forming an effluent mixture comprising hydrogen sulfide. A combined feed comprising the effluent mixture, optionally a recycle liquid, and the biorenewable feedstock is contacted with hydrogen gas in a reaction zone with a deoxygenation catalyst under reaction conditions to provide a reaction product comprising a hydrocarbon fraction. The combined feed comprises greater than 50 weight percent biorenewable feedstock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Andrea G. Bozzano, Donald Eizenga, Ralph Charles Norton
  • Patent number: 8674151
    Abstract: The invention describes a two-step process for hydrotreatment of a feed derived from a renewable source, comprising: a) a first step, termed a mild pre-hydrogenation step, operating in the presence of a first, metallic, catalyst comprising an active hydrodehydrogenating phase constituted by at least one metal from group VIII and/or at least one metal from group VIB and an amorphous mineral support; and b) a second step, termed the second treatment step, operating in the presence of a second, sulphurized, catalyst comprising an active hydrodehydrogenating phase constituted by at least one non-noble metal from group VIII and/or at least one metal from group VIB and an amorphous mineral support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: IFP Energies Nouvelles
    Inventors: Quentin Debuisschert, Jean Cosyns, Thierry Chapus, Damien Hudebine
  • Patent number: 8674160
    Abstract: Feeds containing a hydrotreated biocomponent portion, and optionally a mineral portion, can be processed under catalytic conditions for isomerization and/or dewaxing. The sulfur content of the feed for dewaxing can be selected based on the hydrogenation metal used for the catalyst. Diesel fuel products with improved cold flow properties can be produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Patrick L. Hanks, Timothy L. Hilbert, William J. Novak, Christopher G. Oliveri
  • Patent number: 8674152
    Abstract: The one-step hydrolysis of diverse biomaterials including coal, cellulose materials such as lumber and forestry waste, non-food crop waste, lignin, vegetable oils, animal fats and other source materials used for biofuels under mild processing conditions which results in the formation of a liquid fuel product along with the recovery of a high purity CO2 product is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, LLC
    Inventor: Xin Xiao
  • Patent number: 8669405
    Abstract: More stable and valuable bio-oil compositions produced from biomasses are provided. Particularly, various embodiments of the present invention provide for a bio-oil composition that has chemical and physical properties that make it more cost effective and useful as a fuel without having to undergo deoxygenating processes such as hydrotreating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: KiOR, Inc.
    Inventors: Maria Magdalena Ramirez Corredores, Vicente Sanchez, Xiaowei Tong
  • Patent number: 8668811
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus and a method for producing a pyrolysis liquid, wherein the pyrolysis liquid is formed by means of pyrolysis from a raw material by forming, and a pyrolysis reactor, a gaseous pyrolysis product by pyrolysis and condensing it in a condenser into a pyrolysis liquid, and feeding circulation gas into the pyrolysis reactor. The circulation gas is conducted by a liquid ring compressor into the pyrolysis reactor and purified before being conducted into the pyrolysis reactor, and the pyrolysis liquid is used as the liquid layer in the liquid ring compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Metso Power Oy
    Inventors: Sampo Ratinen, Jani Lehto, Mikko Anttila, Tuomo Hilli, Kristin Onarheim, Ismo Hirvonen, Yrjo Solantausta, Markku Raiko
  • Patent number: 8669404
    Abstract: An apparatus and method to convert carbonaceous materials, particularly biomass and those biomass resources which are remotely located, into a solid material, which may be a high performance solid fuel, are presented. This method, and the apparatus described as the means to accomplish this method, provides a continuous process which can be completely powered by the energy contained in the biomass. The heat, mechanical power and electrical power are provided from the energy in the biomass, through the methods described. In this way, the apparatus is free to operate in remote locations, where no power or auxiliary fuel sources are available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Renewable Fuel Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur M. Shulenberger, Mark Wechsler
  • Patent number: 8657999
    Abstract: A method for producing a fuel composition from a feedstock which may contain biomass and municipal solid waste is described. The method includes the step of pyrolyzing the feedstock in the presence of a transition metal, using microwave energy, so that the level of oxygen in at least one product of the pyrolysis is reduced. An integrated process is also described, in which the transition metal can be regenerated. Moreover, pyrolysis products such as bio-oils can be upgraded to liquid fuel compositions. Related systems for producing fuel compositions are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Vitali Victor Lissianski, R. George Rizeq, Surinder Prabhjot Singh
  • Patent number: 8658026
    Abstract: According to the present invention, organic material is converted to a combustible fluid feedstock comprising methane. A fuel production facility utilizes or arranges to utilize combustible fluid feedstock to generate renewable hydrogen that is used to hydrogenate crude oil derived hydrocarbons in a process to make liquid transportation or heating fuel. The renewable hydrogen is combined with crude oil derived hydrocarbons under conditions to hydrogenate the hydrocarbons with the renewable hydrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Iogen Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Foody, Patrick J. Foody
  • Patent number: 8653312
    Abstract: Provided herein is a method for producing a water-insoluble liquefied fuel oil containing a hydrocarbon from biomass. The method includes converting an oxygen-containing compound in a liquefied fuel oil obtained after liquefaction to a hydrocarbon and converting a water-soluble organic substance contained in an aqueous phase to a hydrocarbon, thereby improving the yield of the water-insoluble liquefied fuel oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazushi Tsurutani, Tsutomu Sakai, Mitsuru Kondo
  • Publication number: 20140045236
    Abstract: The present invention relates to separation of desired target products from biological, plant, and waste-type material, wherein the desired target products include renewable fuels such as ethanol, biobutanol, and biodiesel, wherein the separation is conducted with a cross-flow filtration system having the ability to separate desired products from both non-viscous and viscous medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: SMARTFLOW TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Todd Benson, Kim Davis, Jason Bell, James Kacmar
  • Patent number: 8648218
    Abstract: In an embodiment of the disclosure, a method for preparing a phenolic compound is provided. The method includes providing a lignin depolymerization product, and hydrogenating the lignin depolymerization product under iron oxide and hydrogen gas to prepare a phenolic compound. The prepared phenolic compound is a crude phenolic composition including phenol, methylphenol, dimethylphenol or a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Chiung-Fang Liu, Chih-Ching Chen, Chih-Hao Chen, Pei-Jung Yu, Ying-Hsi Chang, Hou-Peng Wan, Hom-Ti Lee
  • Patent number: 8648226
    Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing gasoline components from syngas. Syngas is converted to one or more of methanol, ethanol, mixed alcohols, and dimethyl ether, followed by various combinations of separations and reactions to produce gasoline components with oxygenates, such as alcohols. The syngas is preferably derived from biomass or another renewable carbon-containing feedstock, thereby providing a biorefining process for the production of renewable gasoline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Range Fuels, Inc.
    Inventors: Shakeel H. Tirmizi, John D. Winter, David T. Gallaspy
  • Patent number: 8637718
    Abstract: A method and system of converting biomass to biochar in a hydrothermal carbonization apparatus wherein subcritical water at a temperature of 230-350° C. and 500-3000 psi is reacted with the biomass to form biochar, biocrude and gases. The method and system include recycling the biocrude back to the hydrothermal carbonization apparatus which improves biochar yield and provides water for the biomass reaction to occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Auburn University
    Inventors: Ram B. Gupta, Sandeep Kumar, Lingzhao Kong
  • Patent number: 8629309
    Abstract: Provided herein is a method for producing a water-insoluble liquefied fuel oil containing a hydrocarbon from biomass. The method includes converting an oxygen-containing compound in a liquefied fuel oil obtained after liquefaction to a hydrocarbon and converting a water-soluble organic substance contained in an aqueous phase to a hydrocarbon, thereby improving the yield of the water-insoluble liquefied fuel oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazushi Tsurutani, Tsutomu Sakai, Mitsuru Kondo
  • Patent number: 8624070
    Abstract: Biomass based feeds are processed under hydrothermal treatment conditions to produce a hydrocarbon liquid product and a solids portion. The solids portion can contain a portion of the phosphorus from the biomass feed. The amount of phosphorus in the solids portion can be increased for some biomass feeds by adding a multivalent metal to the feed. The phosphorus from the solids portion can be recycled for further use, such as for growth of additional biomass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Paul D. Oldenburg, James R. Bielenberg, Virginia M. Roberts, Halou Oumar-Mahamat, Peter J. Domaille
  • Patent number: 8624071
    Abstract: Process for making a bio-diesel and a bio-naphtha and optionally bio-propane from a complex mixture of natural occurring fats & oils, wherein said complex mixture is subjected to a refining treatment for removing the major part of the non-triglyceride and non-fatty acid components, thereby obtaining refined oils; said refined oils are subjected to a fractionation step for obtaining: an unsaturated or substantially unsaturated, liquid or substantially liquid triglyceride part (phase L); and a saturated or substantially saturated, solid or substantially solid triglyceride part (phase S); and said phase L is transformed into alkyl-esters as bio-diesel by a transesterification; said phase S is transformed into linear or substantially linear paraffin's as the bio-naphtha: by an hydrodeoxygenation or from said phase S are obtained fatty acids that are transformed into linear or substantially linear paraffin's as the bio-naphtha by hydrodeoxygenation or decarboxylation of the free fatty acids or from said
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Total Petrochemicals Research Feluy
    Inventors: Walter Vermeiren, François Bouvart, Nicolas Dubut
  • Patent number: 8618341
    Abstract: A liquid fuel production process from cellulosic biomass comprises the following steps: (1) providing a mixture of cellulose and water; (2) subjecting the obtained mixture to hydrolysis and catalytic hydrogenation under the presence of acid to obtain mono-sugar alcohol and optional solid material lignin, or subjecting the obtained mixture to hydrolysis to obtain monosaccharide; (3) esterifying the obtained mono-sugar with C2-C5 organic acid to obtain a liquid fuel II, or subjecting the obtained mono-sugar alcohol or monosaccharide to dehydration/hydrogenation to obtain an organic liquid fuel I consisting of alkanes. This process avoids the loss of organic carbon atoms during fermentation, and the sugar derived from cellulosic biomass can be converted to organic carbon in the liquid fuel. The lignin produced by the process can be used for preparing aromatics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: China Fuel (Huaibei) Bioenergy Technology Development Co. Ltd
    Inventors: Hongping Yie, Meg M. Sun, Zuolin Zhu
  • Patent number: 8604260
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for biomass conversion in a catalytic pyrolysis reactor to convert such to liquid hydrocarbons which includes conditions which favor increased olefin production; wherein the olefins are then upgraded alone or with the produced bio-oil to fuel range hydrocarbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: KiOR, Inc.
    Inventor: Andre Ditsch
  • Patent number: 8603404
    Abstract: A Low Temperature Conversion apparatus composed of tri-tubes which simultaneously carries out the functions of vessel and heat exchanger is provided. The apparatus is capable of thermally decomposing any kind of organic material to obtain coal, oil, water and non-condensable gases, and also decontaminating soils and residues contaminated with organochlorides and dioxins and comprises: an outer box (2) with a hermetic lid (19); a thermal insulation layer (5) disposed throughout the inner surface of the outer box (2) and lid; and at least a structure with three concentric tubes disposed internally, positioned substantially vertically and with a wall width suitable for heating by means of gases from an inner side and outer side of said structure. An associated process for thermal decomposition using the apparatus is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: RM Materials Refratarios Ltda.
    Inventors: Daltro Garcia Pinatti, Isaías Oliveira, Álvaro Guedes Soares, Érica Leonor Romão, João Carlos Ferreira
  • Patent number: 8604261
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for converting biomass-derived streams of hydrocarbon diols into products suitable for use as a biomass-derived fuel additive. These methods involve the condensation of diols comprising five or six carbon atoms to form condensation products containing at least ten carbon atoms. The remaining hydroxyl functional groups of the condensation products are optionally modified to decrease overall polarity of the products, and improve miscibility with liquid hydrocarbon mixtures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Phillips 66 Company
    Inventor: Matthew J. Truit
  • Publication number: 20130324772
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a fluid hydrocarbon product, and more specifically, to a method for producing a fluid hydrocarbon product via catalytic pyrolysis. The reactants comprise hydrocarbonaceous materials (e.g., biomass). The catalyst comprises a zeolite catalyst treated with a silicone compound. The product comprises p-xylene.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS
    Inventors: George W. Huber, Yu-Ting Cheng, Zhuopeng Wang, Wei Fan
  • Patent number: 8592638
    Abstract: In the process of the invention, an aliphatic C2-C14 hydrocarbon product is prepared from natural fats or derivatives thereof. The process comprises the steps of: (i) providing a natural fat or derivative thereof, (ii) deoxygenating a natural fat or derivative thereof originating from step (i) to yield an aliphatic C9-C28 hydrocarbon, (iii) hydrocracking an aliphatic C9-C28 hydrocarbon originating from step (ii) to yield a product comprising an aliphatic C2-C14 hydrocarbon, (iv) isomerising an aliphatic C2-C14 hydrocarbon originating from step (iii) into an isomerised aliphatic C2-C14 hydrocarbon, and optionally (v) recovering an isomerised C2-C14 hydrocarbon originating from step (iv) as said C2-C14 hydrocarbon product. Pure and high quality light fuel is easily obtained in sufficient amounts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Neste Oil Oyj
    Inventors: Pekka Aalto, Ville Alopaeus, Elina Harlin, Raimo Linnaila, Leena Rantanen-Kolehmainen
  • Patent number: 8586805
    Abstract: A method comprising the steps of providing a fatty acyl mixture comprising: (i) a C10-C16 acyl carbon atom chain content of at least 30 wt. % wherein at least 80% of the C10-C16 acyl carbon atom chains are saturated; and (ii) a C18-C22 acyl carbon atom chain content of at least 20 wt. % wherein at least 50% of the acyl C16-C22 carbon atom chains contain at least one double bond; hydrolyzing at least some of the mixture to yield a quantity of C10-C16 saturated fatty acids and C18-C22 unsaturated fatty acids; oligomerizing at least some of the C18-C22 unsaturated fatty acids to yield a quantity of C36+ fatty acid oligomers; separating at least some of the C10-C16 saturated fatty acids from the C36+ fatty acid oligomers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen J. Miller
  • Patent number: 8586807
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is the use of terrestrial plant materials (e.g., leaves and bark) that contain biopolymer materials to produce hydrocarbon-rich crude oils that can be refined further into hydrocarbon-based biofuels, via the hydrous pyrolysis method, which involves heating to subcritical temperatures and pressures in an aqueous medium. One can also isolate the aliphatic biopolymers and utilize them as feedstocks for production of the hydrocarbon-rich crude via hydrous pyrolysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Old Dominion University Research Foundation
    Inventor: Patrick G. Hatcher
  • Patent number: 8586806
    Abstract: A method comprising providing a fatty acyl mixture comprising: (i) a C10-C16 acyl carbon atom chain content of at least 30 wt. % wherein at least 80% of the C10-C16 acyl carbon atom chains are saturated; and (ii) a C18-C22 acyl carbon atom chain content of at least 20 wt. % wherein at least 50% of the acyl C18-C22 carbon atom chains contain at least one double bond; hydrolyzing the mixture to yield a quantity of C10-C16 saturated fatty acids and C18-C22 unsaturated fatty acids; separating the C10-C16 saturated fatty acids from the C18-C22 unsaturated fatty acids; hydrotreating the C10-C16 saturated fatty acids to yield a quantity of diesel fuel blendstock; oligomerizing at least some of the C18-C22 unsaturated fatty acids to yield a quantity of C36+ fatty acid oligomers; and hydrotreating the C36+ fatty acid oligomers to yield a quantity of C36+ alkanes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen J. Miller
  • Patent number: 8581013
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a method for producing a naphtha product from a renewable feedstock. The method includes hydrotreating the renewable feedstock to produce a hydrotreating unit heavy fraction that includes n-paraffins, and hydrocracking the hydrotreating unit heavy fraction to produce a hydrocracking unit product that includes the naphtha product. The method also includes separating the naphtha fraction and optionally recycling the hydrocracking unit heavy fraction through the hydrocracking unit. The present invention also relates to a biorenewable naphtha product suitable for use as feed stock for steam crackers and catalytic reforming units, and for use as fuel, or fuel blend stock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Syntroleum Corporation
    Inventors: Ramin Abhari, H. Lynn Tomlinson, Gary Roth
  • Patent number: 8581014
    Abstract: Provided is a process for producing, in a single step, hydrocarbon fractions useful as diesel fuel or as a component of diesel fuel, from a mixture of a biological origin containing esters of fatty acids and, optionally, aliquots of free fatty acids. The process comprises the contemporaneous hydrodeoxygenation and hydroisomerization of the mixture of a biological origin, with the formation of linear and branched paraffins. The process is carried out in the presence of a catalytic composition comprising an amorphous carrier of an acidic nature and a metallic component containing one or more metals of group VIII.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignees: ENI S.p.A., UOP LLC
    Inventors: Carlo Perego, Franco Baldiraghi, Suheil Fares Abdo, Terry Louise Marker, Luigina Maria Flora Sabatino