Plural Serial Diverse Syntheses Patents (Class 585/310)
  • Patent number: 8282810
    Abstract: A variety of methods and systems are disclosed herein, including, in one embodiment, a method comprising: providing a stream comprising halogenated alkanes; forming synthesis products comprising hydrocarbons and hydrogen bromide from synthesis reactants comprising at least a portion of the halogenated alkanes; and recovering at least a portion of the bromine, the recovering comprising electrolysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Marathon GTF Technology, Ltd.
    Inventor: John J. Waycuilis
  • Publication number: 20120244585
    Abstract: A method for producing biofuels is provided that includes dewatering intact algal cells to make an algal biomass, extracting neutral lipids from the algal biomass, and esterifying the neutral lipids with a catalyst in the presence of an alcohol. The method also includes separating a water soluble fraction comprising glycerin from a water insoluble fraction comprising fuel esters and distilling the fuel esters under vacuum to obtain a C16 or shorter fuel esters fraction, a C16 or longer fuel ester fraction, and a residue comprising carotenoids and omega-3 fatty acids. The method further includes hydrodeoxygenating at least one of (i) the C16 or shorter fuel esters to obtain a jet fuel blend stock and (ii) the C16 or longer fuel esters to obtain a diesel blend stock. The method further includes supplying the hydrogenation and deoxygenation processes with hydrogen produced from reformed light hydrocarbons or an algae culture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: HELIAE DEVELOPMENT, LLC
    Inventors: Aniket KALE, Luca C. ZULLO, Sandip SHINDE
  • Patent number: 8273929
    Abstract: A method comprising: providing an alkyl halide stream; contacting at least some of the alkyl halides with a coupling catalyst to form a product stream comprising higher hydrocarbons and hydrogen halide; contacting the product stream with a solid reactant to remove at least a portion of the hydrogen halide from the product stream; and reacting the solid reactant with a source of oxygen to generate a corresponding halogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: GRT, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Stoimenov, Charles Ian Cutier, Jihong Cheng, Charles J. Coronelia, Krishna Janmanchi, Zachary J. A. Komon, Saydul Amin Sardar, Vivek Julka, Sagar Gadewar, Philip Grosso, Daniel J. Auerbach, Jean Wheeler
  • Publication number: 20120226082
    Abstract: There is provided a method in which straight-chair saturated hydrocarbon can be produced, at a high relative reducibility, directly from natural gas in a direct process of GTL by using a single master oil. Electromagnetic wave is irradiated to resolve natural gas thereby to produce methylene (CH2) which is mixed with the straight-chain saturated hydrocarbon having carbon elements of 5 to 30 to unite methylene with each other so as to have the same number of the carbon elements as that of the carbon elements of the straight-chain saturated hydrocarbon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: ASIAN CLEAN ENERGY PRIVATE LIMITED
    Inventors: Kazuzumi Tomiyoshi, Masakatsu Hirano
  • Publication number: 20120213680
    Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for hydromethanating a nickel-containing (and optionally vanadium-containing) carbonaceous feedstock while recovering at least a portion of the nickel content (and optionally vanadium content) originally present in the carbonaceous feedstock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: GREATPOINT ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Alkis S. Rappas, Robert A. Spitz
  • Publication number: 20120209043
    Abstract: A process for converting alcohol feedstocks to diesel/turbine fuels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Inventors: Benjamin G. Harvey, Michael E Wright
  • Publication number: 20120203043
    Abstract: Methods of forming liquid hydrocarbons through thermal deoxygenation of cellulosic compounds are disclosed. Aspects cover methods including the steps of mixing a levulinic acid salt-containing feedstock with a formic acid salt, exposing the mixture to a high temperature condition to form hydrocarbon vapor, and condensing the hydrocarbon vapor to form liquid hydrocarbons, where both the formic acid salt and the levulinic acid salt-containing feedstock decompose at the high temperature condition and wherein one or more of the mixing, exposing, and condensing steps is carried out a pressure between about vacuum and about 10 bar. Other methods and parameters for generating energy dense liquid hydrocarbons are also disclosed and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF MAINE SYSTEM BOARD OF TRUSTEES
    Inventors: Marshall Clayton WHEELER, Adriaan R.P. van HEININGEN, Paige A. CASE
  • Publication number: 20120203044
    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 N order to produce hydrogen (34), hydrotreatment (40) and/or catalytic cracking and/or visbreaking of said heavy organic fraction (20).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: TOTAL RAFFINAGE MARKETING
    Inventor: Alexandre Preau
  • Publication number: 20120203040
    Abstract: Reaction catalysts and supports as disclosed herein are utilized in a process for converting carboxylic acids, which are derived from molecules found in various feedstocks of biological origin as well as various byproducts of industrial processes, to linear paraffinic hydrocarbons, the latter being capable of use in various applications, including as an alternative source of fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INC.
    Inventor: Paul Ratnasamy
  • Publication number: 20120197050
    Abstract: The present invention relates to fuel compositions and methods of making the same. The fuel compositions include hydrocarbon derived from a biological source selected from plant oil, animal fat and combinations thereof. The hydrocarbon and the fuel compositions are at least substantially oxygen-free. In particular, the fuel compositions are useful in cold temperature environments and as aviation fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Inventors: CHANDRASHEKHAR H. JOSHI, Michael Glenn Horner
  • Patent number: 8221706
    Abstract: Apparatuses for processing a hydrocarbonaceous feedstock flows are provided. In one aspect, the method includes providing two or more hydroprocessing stages disposed in sequence, each hydroprocessing stage having a hydroprocessing reaction zone with a hydrogen requirement and each stage in fluid communication with the preceding stage. A hydrogen source is provided substantially free of hydrogen from a hydrogen recycle compressor. The hydrocarbonaceous feedstock flow is separated into an portions of fresh feed for each hydroprocessing stage, and the first portion of fresh feed to the first hydroprocessing stage is heated. The heated first portion of fresh feed is supplied with hydrogen from the hydrogen source in an amount satisfying substantially all of the hydrogen requirements of the hydroprocessing stages to a first hydroprocessing zone. The unheated second portion of fresh feed is admixed with effluent from previous stage to quench the hot reactor effluent before entering a second stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: John A. Petri, Vedula K. Murty, Peter Kokayeff
  • Publication number: 20120172644
    Abstract: We provide a process, comprising: a. selecting a kinematic viscosity; b. feeding an olefin feed comprising a propylene to an oligomerization zone comprising an ionic liquid catalyst prepared from an organic-based cation; c. tuning an oligomerizing step to produce a base oil having the kinematic viscosity and a viscosity index from 20 to 90. We also provide a process, comprising: a. selecting a kinematic viscosity greater than 20 mm2/s; b. feeding a feed comprising propylene to an oligomerization zone comprising an ionic liquid catalyst prepared from an organic-based cation; and c. adding a Brönsted acid to produce a base oil. Additionally, we provide process, comprising tuning a step in an oligomerization zone comprising a propylene and an ionic liquid catalyst prepared from an organic-based cation to produce a base oil having: a. a high kinematic viscosity; b. a viscosity index from 25 to 90; and c. a low pour point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Saleh Ali Elomari, Stephen Joseph Miller
  • Publication number: 20120172643
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2011
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: KIOR INC.
    Inventors: MARIA MAGDALENA RAMIREZ CORREDORES, VICENTE SANCHEZ IGLESIAS
  • Publication number: 20120172579
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods, reactor systems, and catalysts for converting in a continuous process biomass to less complex oxygenated compounds for use in downstream processes to produce biofuels and chemicals. The invention includes methods of converting the components of biomass, such as hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin, to water-soluble materials, including lignocellulosic derivatives, cellulosic derivatives, hemicellulosic derivatives, carbohydrates, starches, polysaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, sugars, sugar alcohols, alditols, polyols, diols, alcohols, ketones, cyclic ethers, esters, carboxylic acids, aldehydes, and mixtures thereof, using hydrogen and a heterogeneous liquefaction catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Inventors: Ming Qiao, Randy D. Cortright, John Kania, Elizabeth Woods
  • Publication number: 20120157732
    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: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY
    Inventor: Matthew J. TRUITT
  • Publication number: 20120157734
    Abstract: The present invention relates to production of fuels or fuel blendstocks from renewable sources. Various embodiments provide a method of producing a hydrocarbon product by hydrotreating a feedstock including at least one of a renewable triacylglyceride (TAG), renewable free fatty acid (FFA), and renewable fatty acid C1-C5 alkyl ester (C1-C5 FAE) in the presence of a nonsulfided hydrotreating catalyst to produce a first product including hydrocarbons. In some examples, the first product can be subjected to further chemical transformations such as aromatization, cracking, or isomerization to produce a second product including hydrocarbons. In various embodiments, the first or second hydrocarbon product with minimal or substantially no further processing can be suitable as a liquid transportation fuel or fuel blendstock, including fuels such as gasoline, naptha, kerosene, jet fuel, and diesel fuels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Inventors: Joshua R. Strege, Benjamin G. Oster, Paul D. Pansegrau, Chad A. Wocken, Ted R. Aulich, Mare D. Kurz
  • Publication number: 20120157731
    Abstract: A pre-reforming process is provided. This process includes heating a first stream containing heavy hydrocarbons to a first temperature, then introducing the heated first stream into a first pre-reforming chamber, thereby producing a first pre-reformed stream. This process also includes heating the first pre-reformed stream to a second temperature, then introducing the heated first pre-reformed stream into a second pre-reforming chamber, thereby producing a second pre-reformed stream. This process also includes heating the second pre-reformed stream to a third temperature, then introducing the heated second pre-reformed stream into a third pre-reforming chamber, thereby producing a third pre-reformed stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme Pour L'Etude Et L' Exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventor: Bhadra S. Grover
  • Publication number: 20120157733
    Abstract: A method of producing a hydrocarbon product by hydrotreating a feedstock comprising triacylglyceride (TAG) and TAG-derived materials such as free fatty acid (FFA) and fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) in the presence of a nonsulfided hydrotreating catalyst to produce a first product comprising hydrocarbons. A method of producing a transportation fuel by selecting an undoped feedstock comprising virgin TAG, used TAG, FFA, and FAME or a combination thereof; hydrotreating the undoped feedstock in the presence of an unsulfided hydrotreating catalyst to produce a first product and subjecting the first product to at least one process selected from aromatization, cyclization, and isomerization to produce a second hydrocarbon product selected from gasoline, kerosene, jet fuel, and diesel fuels. A method is described by which fatty acids may be converted to hydrocarbons suitable for use as liquid transportation fuels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2009
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Inventors: Joshua R. Strege, Benjamin G. Oster, Paul D. Pansegrau, Chad A. Wocken, Ted R. Aulich, Marc Kurz
  • Patent number: 8202480
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for converting heavy hydrocarbon feed into lighter hydrocarbon products. The heavy hydrocarbon feed is slurried with a particulate solid material to form a heavy hydrocarbon slurry and hydrocracked in a slurry hydrocracking unit to produce vacuum gas oil (VGO) and pitch. A first vacuum column separates VGO from pitch, and a second vacuum column further separates VGO from pitch. As much as 15 wt-% of VGO can be recovered by the second vacuum column and recycled to the slurry hydrocracking unit. A pitch composition is obtained which can be made into particles and transported without sticking together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: James F. McGehee, David N. Myers, Mark Van Wees, Paul R. Zimmerman, Ruth Buskus Kleinworth
  • Publication number: 20120141356
    Abstract: A process for converting gaseous alkanes to olefins, higher molecular weight hydrocarbons or mixtures thereof wherein a gaseous feed containing alkanes may be thermally or catalytically reacted with a dry bromine vapor to form alkyl bromides and hydrogen bromide. Poly-brominated alkanes present in the alkyl bromides may be further reacted with methane over a suitable catalyst to form mono-brominated species. The mixture of alkyl bromides and hydrogen bromide may then be reacted over a suitable catalyst at a temperature sufficient to form olefins, higher molecular weight hydrocarbons or mixtures thereof and hydrogen bromide. Various methods and reactions are disclosed to remove the hydrogen bromide from the higher molecular weight hydrocarbons, to generate bromine from the hydrogen bromide for use in the process, to store and subsequently release bromine for use in the process, and to selectively form mono-brominated alkanes in the bromination step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: MARATHON GTF TECHNOLOGY, LTD.
    Inventors: Raymond T. Brickey, Greg A. Lisewsky, John J. Waycuilis, Stephen D. York
  • Publication number: 20120142792
    Abstract: The removal of fluoroalkanes from fluoroalkane-containing hydrocarbon streams, preferably C3 to C5 hydrocarbon streams. The fluoroalkane-containing hydrocarbon stream is contacted with an adsorbent containing a strong acid function, preferably a silica gel or a strong cation ion-exchange resin having sulfonic acid functionality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Kenneth A. BOATENG, Marc-Andre POIRIER
  • Publication number: 20120136188
    Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can be a method of modifying an alkylation unit to increase capacity. The method may include combining a first alkylation zone with a second alkylation zone. Generally, the first alkylation zone includes a first settler having a height and a width. Typically, the width is greater than the height. In addition, the second alkylation zone may have a second settler having a height and a width. Usually, the height is greater than the width.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Daryl Dunham, Dale Jame Shields
  • Publication number: 20120136185
    Abstract: Described herein are methods for producing fuels and solvents from fatty acid resources. Also disclosed herein are fuels and solvents produced by the methods described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2011
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: THE GOVERNORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA
    Inventor: David BRESSLER
  • Patent number: 8188327
    Abstract: This invention covers a process for dimerizing of isobutylene to Iso-octene and unique configuration is being disclosed, where the Feed is diluted to low level with recycle which has essentially no Iso-octene, dual catalyst system, new selectivator (IPA) and successive catalyst stages if needed to enhance the conversion. The process is very selective and provides higher isobutylene conversion. Additionally the invention also covers the hydrogenation of olefins to Paraffin, Iso-octene to Iso-octane product under moderate conditions and with dual or single catalyst system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Inventor: Amarjit S. Bakshi
  • Publication number: 20120116137
    Abstract: Synthetic fuels are produced from synthesis gas in a four-stage reactor system with a single recycle loop providing the requisite thermal capacity to moderate the high heat release of the reactions and to provide the reactants and reaction environments for the efficient operation of the process. The first stage converts a portion of the synthesis gas to methanol, the second stage converts the methanol to dimethylether, the third stage converts the methanol and dimethylether to fuel and the fourth stage converts the high melting point component, durene, and other low volatility aromatic components such as tri- andtetra-methylbenzenes to high octane branched paraffins. The four-stage catalyst used for hydrotreating is resistant to CO poisoning. The reactions i produce water as a side product that is carried through to a high pressure separator after the fourth stage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: PRIMUS GREEN ENERGY INC.
    Inventors: Howard L. Fang, Moshe BEN-REUVEN, Richard E. BOYLE, Robert M. KOROS
  • Publication number: 20120108870
    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 C18-C22 carbon atom chains contain at least one olefin; oligomerizing at least some of the mixture to yield a second mixture comprising C36+ oligomers; hydrotreating the second mixture to yield a quantity of diesel fuel blendstock and C36+ alkanes; and separating at least some of the diesel fuel blendstock from the C36+ alkanes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventor: Stephen J. Miller
  • Publication number: 20120108869
    Abstract: A method comprising the steps of providing a quantity of biologically-derived oil comprising triglycerides; processing the biologically derived oil so as to transesterify at least some of the triglycerides contained therein to yield a quantity of saturated monoesters and unsaturated monoesters; oligomerizing at least some of the unsaturated monoesters to yield a quantity of fatty acid ester oligomers; separating at least some of the saturated monoesters from the fatty acid ester oligomers; and hydrotreating at least some of the fatty acid ester oligomers to yield a quantity of alkanes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventors: Stephen J. Miller, Paul F. Bryan
  • Publication number: 20120102828
    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: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventor: Stephen J. Miller
  • Publication number: 20120108861
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to processes for the direct conversion of lipidic biomass fuelstock to combustible fuels. In particular, the invention provides a process for the direct conversion of animal fats to transportations fuels suitable as replacement for petroleum-derived transportation fuels. In one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of hydrolyzing a lipidic biomass to form free fatty acids, catalytically deoxygenating the free fatty acids to form n-alkanes, and reforming at least a portion of the n-alkanes into a mixture of compounds in the correct chain length, conformations, and ratio to be useful transportation fuels. Particularly, the product prepared according to the invention comprises mixtures of hydrocarbon compounds selected from the group consisting of n-alkanes, isoalkanes, aromatics, cycloalkanes, and combinations thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventors: William L. Roberts, IV, H. Henry Lamb, Larry F. Stikeleather, Timothy L. Turner
  • Publication number: 20120108871
    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; oligomerizing at least some of the C18-C22 unsaturated fatty acids to yield a quantity of C36+ fatty acid oligomers; hydrotreating at least some of the C10-C16 saturated fatty acids and at least some of the C36+ fatty acid oligomers to yield a quantity of diesel fuel blendstock and C36+ alkanes; and separating at least some of the diesel fuel blendstock from the C36+ alkanes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventor: Stephen J. Miller
  • Publication number: 20120095274
    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 self-sustainable process was designed to reduce the coke by co-feeding sugars/sugar derivatives with the paraffin products from hydrogenation of sugars/sugar derivatives. Paraffins without complete conversion result in products with less aromatics and relatively low density compared with the products directly from zeolite upgrading. Thus, the process is more economically favorable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY
    Inventors: Yun BAO, Edward L. SUGHRUE, II, Jianhua YAO, TiePan SHI, Kristi A. FJARE, Lisa L. MYERS
  • Publication number: 20120095272
    Abstract: A unique, integrated non-obvious pathway to convert biomass to biofuels using integration of chemical processes is described herein. The present invention is simple, direct, and provides for the shortest or minimum path between biomass and transportation fuels with alcohols as intermediates, while avoiding hydrogen use during processing. Furthermore, the present invention allows the manufacture of “drop-in” substitutable fuels to be used as-is without modifications instead of conventional petroleum based fuels. The processing described herein is done under mild conditions, under relatively low pressures and temperatures, and under non-corrosive conditions obviating use of special equipment or materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: THE TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY SYSTEM
    Inventors: Mahmoud M. El-Halwagi, Kenneth R. Hall, Harold Dennis Spriggs
  • Patent number: 8158070
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for hydroprocessing two hydrocarbon streams at two different pressures. A hydrogen stream is compressed and split. A first split compressed stream is further compressed to feed a first hydroprocessing unit that requires higher pressure for operation. A second split compressed stream is fed to a second hydroprocessing unit that requires lower pressure. Recycle hydrogen from the second hydroprocessing unit is recycled back to the compression section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: Andrew P. Wieber
  • Patent number: 8158069
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for hydroprocessing two hydrocarbon streams at two different pressures. A hydrogen stream is compressed and split. A first split compressed stream is further compressed to feed a first hydroprocessing unit that requires higher pressure for operation. A second split compressed stream is fed to a second hydroprocessing unit that requires lower pressure. Recycle hydrogen from the second hydroprocessing unit is recycled back to the compression section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: Andrew P. Wieber
  • Publication number: 20120088943
    Abstract: A method for preparing fuel components from crude tall oil. Feedstock containing tall oil including unsaturated fatty acids is introduced to a catalytic hydrodeoxygenation to convert unsaturated fatty acids, rosin acids and sterols to fuel components. Crude tall oil is purified in a purification by washing the crude tall oil with washing liquid and separating the purified crude tall oil from the washing liquid. The purified crude tall oil is introduced directly to the catalytic hydrodeoxygenation as a purified crude tall oil feedstock. An additional feedstock may be supplied to the catalytic hydrodeoxygenation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: UPM-KYMMENE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Pekka Knuuttila, Petri Kukkonen, Ulf Hotanen
  • Patent number: 8147766
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for processing biomass to selectively yield a variety of hydrocarbon molecules and hydrogen as products, wherein some or all of these products can be further utilized for other biomass processing sub-processes, particularly wherein they lead to the generation of biofuels and/or other high-value products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Kerry K. Spilker, Roger Vogel, James F. Stevens, Peter C. Ricci
  • Patent number: 8148589
    Abstract: Process for producing alkene(s) from a feedstock containing at least one monohydric aliphatic paraffinic primary (or secondary) alcohol(s), consisting of ethanol or propanol(s) or a mixture thereof. The process includes the steps of converting the monohydric aliphatic paraffinic primary (or secondary) alcohol(s) into the corresponding same carbon number alkene(s) in a reactive distillation column at elevated pressure and temperature so that the heads stream extracted from the top of the reactive distillation column comprises essentially the alkene(s), cooling the heads stream from the first step to a temperature sufficient to condense at least part of the alkene(s) with the highest boiling point, recycling at least part of the condensed alkene(s) from the second step back into the reactive distillation column, as a reflux return, and simultaneously recovering the remaining alkene(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: BP Chemicals Limited
    Inventors: Benjamin Patrick Gracey, Leslie William Bolton
  • Publication number: 20120078023
    Abstract: A process for the preparation of hydrocarbon products comprising the steps of (a) providing a synthesis gas comprising hydrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide; (b) reacting the synthesis gas to an oxygenate mixture comprising methanol and dimethyl ether in presence of one or more catalysts which together catalyse a reaction of hydrogen and carbon monoxide to oxygenates at a pressure of at least 4 MPa; (c) withdrawing from step (b) the oxygenate mixture comprising amounts of methanol, dimethyl ether, carbon dioxide and water together with unreacted synthesis gas and introducing the entire amount of the oxygenate mixture without further treatment into a catalytic oxygenate conversion step (d); (d) reacting the oxygenate mixture in presence of a catalyst being active in the conversion of oxygenates to higher hydrocarbons; (e) withdrawing an effluent from step (d) and separating the effluent into a tail gas, a liquid hydrocarbon phase containing the higher hydrocarbons produced in step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Inventors: Finn Joensen, Poul Erik Højlund Nielsen, Esben Lauge Sørensen
  • Publication number: 20120078024
    Abstract: A process and system for dehydrogenating certain hydrocarbons is disclosed. The process includes contacting a dehydrogenatable hydrocarbon with steam in the presence of a dehydrogenation catalyst to form hydrogen and a dehydrogenated hydrocarbon. Some of the hydrogen is then removed and some of the remaining dehydrogenatable hydrocarbon is dehydrogenated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: FINA TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventors: James R. Butler, James N. Waguespack, Jason Clark
  • Patent number: 8134039
    Abstract: A process is described for the production of high-octane hydrocarbon compounds by means of the selective dimerization of isobutene, in the presence of C5 hydrocarbons and oxygenated compounds (branched alcohols or alternatively blends of linear or branched alcohols and alkyl ethers) characterized in that it utilizes a catalytic distillation as second reaction step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Snamprogetti S.p.A.
    Inventors: Marco Di Girolamo, Domenico Sanfilippo, Massimo Conte
  • Patent number: 8110161
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of alkylated aromatic compounds comprising introducing olefin and aromatic compounds into at least first and second vertically spaced catalytic reaction zones in an alkylation unit under alkylation reaction conditions to provide an alkylated product, wherein the second catalytic reaction zone is positioned above the first catalytic reaction zone; wherein aromatic compound from each of the at least first and second catalytic reaction zones are contacted with a cooling means for re-condensing at least a portion of the aromatic compounds vaporized from the exothermic heat of reaction of the alkylation process; and wherein the olefin is introduced into the at least first and second catalytic reaction zones via respective first and second olefin feed streams at respective olefin feed rates such as to maintain olefin partial pressures at inlets to at least first and second catalytic reaction zones which vary by less than about ten percent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Lummus Technology Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin John Schwint
  • Publication number: 20120021091
    Abstract: A method for producing biofuels is provided. A method of making biofuels includes dewatering substantially intact algal cells to make an algal biomass, extracting neutral lipids from the algal biomass, and esterifying the neutral lipids with a catalyst in the presence of an alcohol. The method also includes separating a water soluble fraction comprising glycerin from a water insoluble fraction comprising fuel esters and distilling the fuel esters under vacuum to obtain a C16 or shorter fuel esters fraction, a C16 or longer fuel ester fraction, and a residue comprising carotenoids and omega-3 fatty acids. The method further includes hydrogenating and deoxygenating at least one of (i) the C16 or shorter fuel esters to obtain a jet fuel blend stock and (ii) the C16 or longer fuel esters to obtain a diesel blend stock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Inventor: Aniket Kale
  • Publication number: 20120016167
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for forming an at least partially renewable diesel product, comprising: hydrodeoxygenating a feedstock comprising about 0.1 wt % to about 50 wt % of a fresh biocomponent portion with a relatively pure hydrogen treat gas in the presence of a hydrodeoxygenation catalyst under relatively low total pressure to form a hydrodeoxygenated product; and separating the hydrodeoxygenated product into a vapor effluent and a liquid effluent, at least a first portion of the latter being recycled to the hydrodeoxygenation step, and at least a second portion of the latter being a diesel product. Advantageously, the hydrodeoxygenation catalyst can have a relatively low catalytic activity (about 50% or less of fresh HDS/HDN activity).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventor: Patrick L. Hanks
  • Publication number: 20120004478
    Abstract: A divided wall column can allow for fractionation of multiple streams while maintaining separate product qualities. Effluents from multiple stages of a reaction system can be processed in a single divided wall column. The divided wall column can produce multiple cuts from each separated area, as well as at least one output from a common area. At least one reaction stage can advantageously have a continuous liquid phase environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Benjamin S. Umansky, Richard C. Dougherty, Michael A. Hayes, William E. Lewis
  • Publication number: 20120004481
    Abstract: The invention describes a process for the production of middle distillate hydrocarbon bases from an ethanol feedstock that is produced from a renewable source that is obtained from biomass, whereby said process comprises a stage for purification of said feedstock, a stage for transformation of said purified feedstock into a light olefinic effluent that comprises at least 30% by weight of olefins that have between four to six carbon atoms relative to the total mass of the formed hydrocarbon compounds, whereby said stage works in the presence of a catalyst that comprises at least one zeolite that is selected from among the zeolites that have a structural type that appears in the following list: CHA, ERI, MTF, AEI, AEL, FER, EUO, MEL, MFS, TON, MTT and the zeolites ZBM-30, ZSM-48, IM-5 and IZM-2, taken by themselves or in a mixture, a stage for separation of the olefinic effluent that is obtained from stage b) in such a way as to eliminate at least a portion of the water that is formed during stage b) to produce
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: IFP Energies nouvelles
    Inventors: Emmanuelle GUILLON, Nicolas Cadran, Natacha Touchais, Laurent Bournay
  • Publication number: 20110319685
    Abstract: Processes and catalyst systems are provided for dewaxing a light hydrocarbon feedstock to form a lubricant base oil. A layered catalyst system of the present invention may comprise a first hydroisomerization dewaxing catalyst disposed upstream from a second hydroisomerization dewaxing catalyst. Each of the first and second hydroisomerization dewaxing catalysts may be selective for the isomerization of n-paraffins. The first hydroisomerization catalyst may have a higher level of selectivity for the isomerization of n-paraffins than the second hydroisomerization dewaxing catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc
    Inventors: Kamala Krishna, Guan-Dao Lei
  • Publication number: 20110306808
    Abstract: The present invention addresses the 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. In particular, the invention comprises a multi-stage process that converts 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. The process subjects 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. The invention further comprises an apparatus for performing a multi-stage process of converting waste products into useful materials, and at least one oil product that arises from the process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: AB-CWT, LLC
    Inventors: Brian S. Appel, Terry N. Adams, Michael J. Roberts, William F. Lange, James H. Freiss, Craig Timothy Einfeldt, Michael Charles Carnesi
  • Patent number: 8067655
    Abstract: This invention is a process for producing diisobutylene from isobutylene. The process comprises first contacting a sulfonic acid resin with a reaction feed comprising isobutylene and tertiary butyl alcohol to produce a product stream comprising diisobutylene, isobutylene, tertiary butyl alcohol, and water. The product stream is distilled to produce a first overhead stream comprising water and isobutylene and a first bottoms stream comprising diisobutylene and tertiary butyl alcohol. Water is separated from the first overhead stream, and the resulting isobutylene-enriched stream is recycled back to the reaction step. The first bottoms stream is distilled to produce a second overhead stream comprising tertiary butyl alcohol and a bottoms product stream comprising diisobutylene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Lyondell Chemical Technology, L.P.
    Inventors: Natalie C. M. B. Nichols, Christopher P. Renaudo, David W. Leyshon
  • Publication number: 20110282116
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the manufacture of diesel range hydrocarbons wherein a feed is hydrotreated in a hydrotreating step and isomerised in an isomerisation step, and a feed comprising fresh feed containing more than 5 wt % of free fatty acids and at least one diluting agent is hydrotreated at a reaction temperature of 200-400° C., in a hydrotreating reactor in the presence of catalyst, and the ratio of the diluting agent/fresh feed is 5-30:1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Inventors: Jukka MYLLYOJA, Pekka AALTO, Pekka SAVOLAINEN, Veli-Matti PUROLA, Ville ALOPAEUS, Johan GRÖNQVIST
  • Publication number: 20110282117
    Abstract: A process for the production of jet and other heavy fuels, the process including: contacting at least one C3 to C5 isoalkanol with a first catalyst to convert at least a portion of the isoalkanol to isoalkene, isoalkene dimers, and water; contacting at least a portion of the isoalkene dimers with a second catalyst to convert at least a portion of the isoalkene dimers to isoalkene trimers; hydrotreating the isoalkene trimers to form isoalkanes useful as a jet fuel, kerosene, or other heavy fuels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: CATALYTIC DISTILLATION TECHNOLOGIES
    Inventors: William M. Cross, JR., Gary G. Podrebarac