From Nonhydrocarbon Feed Patents (Class 585/733)
  • Publication number: 20120142984
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method for processing oxygenated hydrocarbons to form a hydroisomerized and/or dewaxed hydrocarbon product having a reduced oxygen content, an increased iso-paraffin content, a low n-paraffin content, and good cold flow properties. Advantageously, the method can utilize a zeolitic base catalyst, optionally but preferably containing at least one activated metal component, and a hydrothermally-stable binder such as titania.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Virginia M. ROBERTS, Michel DAAGE, William J. NOVAK
  • Patent number: 8192716
    Abstract: Processes for the catalytic conversion of a carbonaceous composition into a gas stream comprising methane are provided, where a sour shift reaction is used to remove carbon monoxide gas stream produced by the gasification process. The incorporation of the sour shift reaction provides an efficient and cost-effective means of eliminating carbon monoxide from the gas stream. In addition, the sour shift reaction also generates additional hydrogen, thus increasing the amount of hydrogen produced from the gasification process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Greatpoint Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Pattabhi K. Raman, Francis S. Lau, Earl T. Robinson
  • 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: 8187347
    Abstract: The present invention is to provide compositions comprising organic compounds useful as a chemical industrial material or a fuel composition with the use of an alcohol such as ethanol as a material. It is a method for producing compositions using alcohol as a starting material and comprising: allowing alcohol to contact with an alcohol conversion catalyst such as hydroxyapatite (first step) and conducting a hydrogenation reaction respectively for all reaction products consisting of a liquid phase including alcohols, water and hydrocarbons of 4-12 carbons and a gas phase which is light gas containing paraffins, alcohols and olefins; all liquid phase reaction products consisting of all reaction products from which light gas has been removed; a liquid phase dehydration reaction products consisting of all reaction products from which light gas, unreacted alcohol and product water have been removed; and light gas (second step).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Sangi
    Inventors: Shuji Sakuma, Takashi Tsuchida, Tetsuya Yoshioka
  • Patent number: 8187344
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a fuel composition for diesel engines. The fuel composition comprises 0.1-99% by weight of a component or a mixture of components produced from biological raw material originating from plants and/or animals and/or fish. The fuel composition comprises 0-20% of components containing oxygen. Both components are mixed with diesel components based on crude oil and/or fractions from Fischer-Tropsch process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Neste Oil Oyj
    Inventors: Juha Jakkula, Pekka Aalto, Vesa Niemi, Ulla Kiiski, Jouko Nikkonen, Seppo Mikkonen, Outi Piirainen
  • Publication number: 20120130141
    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: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Paul D. Oldenburg, Virginia M. Roberts, Michel Daage, Paul J. Berlowitz, David C. Long, Halou Oumar-Mahamat
  • Publication number: 20120116138
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for upgrading (for example, removing heteroatoms, metals, or metalloids) an oil composition derived or extracted from a biomass. The upgraded oil composition can be used to make a desired product, for example, a fuel product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: SAPPHIRE ENERGY, INC
    Inventors: Brian L. Goodall, Alex M. Aravanis, Graig A. Behnke, Richard J. Cranford, Daniel J. Sajkowski
  • Patent number: 8173851
    Abstract: A process for converting gaseous alkanes to olefins, higher molecular weight hydrocarbons or mixtures thereof wherein a gaseous feed containing alkanes is thermally reacted with a dry bromine vapor to form alkyl bromides and hydrogen bromide. Poly-brominated alkanes present in the alkyl bromides are further reacted with methane over a suitable catalyst to form mono-brominated species. The mixture of alkyl bromides and hydrogen bromide is then reacted over a suitable catalyst at a temperature sufficient to form olefins, higher molecular weight hydrocarbons or mixtures thereof and hydrogen bromide. Various methods 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, and to selectively form mono-brominated alkanes in the bromination step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Marathon GTF Technology, Ltd.
    Inventors: John J. Waycuilis, William J. Turner, Raphael Thomas
  • Publication number: 20120088945
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY
    Inventors: Jianhua YAO, Edward L. SUGHRUE, II
  • 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: 8148587
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing Lower olefin from the feed of methanol or/and dimethyl ether, characterized in that methanol or/and dimethyl ether are divided proportionally to be fed at 3 reaction zones; and the desired distribution of the olefin product is obtained by modulating the feeding ratio among the 3 reaction zones and the reaction conditions in each reaction zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Inventors: Yue Qi, Zhongmin Liu, Zhihui Lv, Hua Wang, Changqing He, Lei Xu, Jinling Zhang, Xiangao Wang
  • Patent number: 8143469
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing saturated C5-C28 hydrocarbons, suitable as diesel fuels, kerosenes and gasolines, comprising the steps where feedstock derived from starting material of biological origin, is subjected to a condensation step and subsequently subjected to a combined hydrodefunctionalization and isomerization step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Neste Oil Oyj
    Inventors: Eija Koivusalmi, Rami Piilola, Pekka Aalto
  • Publication number: 20120071702
    Abstract: A pump system and controller for a chemical reactor for converting water and carbon dioxide into a fuel gas is provided. Carbon dioxide gas bubbles are created and introduced into pumped water and delivered to a regenerative turbine pump where bubbles are collapsed to produce an ionized gas and ionized liquid mixture containing hydrogen, hydroxyl radicals and hydroxide, which subsequently react with the carbon dioxide gas present in the bubble, reducing it to carbon monoxide, with further reactions yielding methane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Inventor: James Charles BUTLER
  • Publication number: 20120059209
    Abstract: Process for the continuous hydrogenation of triglyceride containing raw materials in a fixed bed reactor system having several catalyst beds arranged in series and comprising at least e hydrogenation catalyst comprising an active phase constituted by a nickel and molybdenum element. The raw material feed, hydrogen containing gas and diluting agent are passed together through the catalyst beds at hydrogenation conditions. The raw material feed stream as well as the stream of hydrogen containing gas are divided into an equal number of different partial streams. These are each passed to one catalyst bed in such a manner that the weight ratio of diluting agent to raw material feed is essentially the same at the entrance of all catalyst beds and does not exceed 4:1. The claimed process is preferably conducted at low temperatures and allows the utilization of existing units due to the low recycle ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: IFP ENERGIES NOUVELLES
    Inventors: Thierry CHAPUS, Nathalie Dupassieux, Antoine Daudin
  • Publication number: 20120055079
    Abstract: A method of making biofuels and valuable food and neutraceutical products includes dewatering intact algal cells to make an algal biomass, extracting neutral lipids along with carotenoids and chlorophylls from the algal biomass, and separating the carotenoids and chlorophylls. The remaining neutral lipids are esterified 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 omega-3 fatty acids esters and remaining carotenoids. 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: October 14, 2011
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Inventor: Aniket KALE
  • Patent number: 8129575
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for fluid catalytic cracking of oxygenated hydrocarbon compounds such as glycerol and bio-oil. In the process the oxygenated hydrocarbon compounds are contacted with a fluid cracking catalyst material for a period of less than 3 seconds. In a preferred process a crude-oil derived material, such as VGO, is also contacted with the catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: KiOR, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul O'Connor, George W. Huber, Avelino Corma Camos, Laurent Louis Sauvanaud
  • Publication number: 20120053383
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for producing, inter alia, olefins from refinery saturated and unsaturated off-gas. Furthermore, said refinery streams are not required to undergo deoxygenation reaction in a separate reactor system provided they are fed to the pyrolysis furnace. The refinery off-gases are treated to produce olefins such as ethylene and propylene. Gases from petrochemical facilities, gas separation plants and similar facilities that produce light gases containing ethane and propane are useful in the present method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: Stone & Webster Process Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Wadie MALATY, Richard H. McCue, David J. Brown, William Larson
  • Publication number: 20120046510
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a steam-integrated and heat-integrated process for preparing gaseous products, and in particular methane and/or other value added gaseous products such as hydrogen, via the hydromethanation of non-gaseous carbonaceous feedstocks in the presence of steam, carbon monoxide, hydrogen, oxygen and a hydromethanation catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2011
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: GREATPOINT ENERGY, INC.
    Inventor: Avinash Sirdeshpande
  • Patent number: 8119847
    Abstract: A process for converting renewable resources such as vegetable oil and animal fat into paraffins in a single step which comprises contacting a feed which is a renewable resources with hydrogen and a catalyst which comprises a non-precious metal and an oxide to produce a hydrocarbon product having a ratio of odd-numbered hydrocarbons to even-numbered hydrocarbons of at least 2:1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Hasan Dindi, Sourav K. Sengupta, Andrew Francis Gonzon
  • Publication number: 20120035403
    Abstract: A method includes providing a solution containing a C2-6 carboxylic acid or a C2-6 carboxylate that is derived from biomass; and contacting the solution with a solid catalyst to form a C1-5 hydrocarbon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: Tufts University
    Inventors: Maria Flytzani-Stephanopoulos, Branko Zugic, Brian Ricks, Gregory Stephanopoulos
  • Publication number: 20120029250
    Abstract: Embodiments of methods for making renewable diesel by deoxygenating (decarboxylating/decarbonylating/dehydrating) fatty acids to produce hydrocarbons are disclosed. Fatty acids are exposed to a catalyst selected from a) Pt and MO3 on ZrO2 (M is W, Mo, or a combination thereof), or b) Pt/Ge or Pt/Sn on carbon, and the catalyst decarboxylates at least 10% of the fatty acids. In particular embodiments, the catalyst consists essentially of 0.7 wt % Pt and 12 wt % WO3, relative to a mass of catalyst, or the catalyst consists essentially of a) 5 wt % Pt and b) 0.5 wt % Ge or 0.5 wt % Sn, relative to a mass of catalyst. Deoxygenation is performed without added hydrogen and at less than 100 psi. Disclosed embodiments of the catalysts deoxygenate at least 10% of fatty acids in a fatty acid feed, and remain capable of deoxygenating fatty acids for at least 200 minutes to more than 350 hours.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventors: Richard T. Hallen, Karl O. Albrecht, Heather M. Brown, James F. White
  • Publication number: 20120029245
    Abstract: A method of catalytically forming reaction products can include providing an ionic liquid phase. The ionic liquid phase can include a catalyst and an ionic liquid. At least one reactant can be reacted (14,16) in the ionic liquid phase to produce reaction products which include at least one of methanol and dimethyl ether. In particular, the ionic liquid can be hydrophobic sufficient to prevent substantial water in the ionic liquid phase. The use of ionic liquids can substantially reduce or eliminate residual catalyst carrier, i.e. ionic liquid, in downstream steps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: Oberon Fuels, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Corradini, Jarod McComick
  • Publication number: 20120022305
    Abstract: Methods for producing C3-C30 hydrocarbons from fatty materials, such as triglyceride compounds, are provided. Hydrocarbon compounds, particularly those boiling in the temperature range of between about 80° F. to about 1000° F., are produced by contacting a fatty material, under hydrocracking conditions, with at least one catalyst comprising a Group VIII metal and a Group VIB metal on a acidic support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY
    Inventors: Jianhua YAO, Dhananjay B. Ghonasgi, Xiaochun Xu, Yun Bao, Edward L. Sughurue, II
  • Publication number: 20120022307
    Abstract: Preparing solid biomass particles for catalytic conversion includes agitating solid biomass particles and providing a biomass-catalyst mixture to a conventional petroleum refinery process unit. The biomass-catalyst mixture includes the solid biomass particles and a catalyst. Agitating solid biomass particles includes flowing a gas to provide a velocity to at least a portion of the solid biomass particles sufficient to reduce their sizes. Co-processing a biomass feedstock and a conventional petroleum feedstock includes liquefying at least a portion of a biomass-catalyst mixture and co-processing at least a portion of the liquefied biomass feedstock and a conventional petroleum feedstock in a conventional petroleum refinery process unit. The biomass feedstock includes a plurality of solid biomass particles and a catalyst, which is liquefied to produce a liquefied biomass feedstock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: KIOR, INC.
    Inventors: Steve Yanik, Paul O'Connor, Robert Bartek
  • 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: 20120009640
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods useful for producing fatty alcohol compositions from recombinant host cells. The disclosure further provides variant fatty acyl-CoA reductase (FAR) enzymes, polynucleotides encoding the variant FAR enzymes, and vectors and host cells comprising the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: Codexis, Inc.
    Inventors: Behnaz Behrouzian, Louis Clark, Yihui Zhu, Michael Clay, Kristian Karlshoej
  • Patent number: 8093441
    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: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Marc-André Poirier, Robert J. Falkiner
  • Patent number: 8084655
    Abstract: A process for converting renewable resources such as vegetable oil and animal fat into paraffins in a single step which comprises contacting a feed which is a renewable resources with hydrogen and a catalyst which comprises a non-precious metal a first oxide and optionally a second oxide wherein at least one of the first oxide or second oxide comprises a zeolite, through hydrodeoxygenation and one or both of hydroisomerization and hydrocracking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Hasan Dindi, Sourav K. Sengupta, Andrew Francis Gonzon, David Richard Corbin
  • Publication number: 20110305961
    Abstract: A process for treating a flue gas is provided. The process comprises burning an amount of elemental magnesium in the flue gas, optionally to produce magnesium oxide and elemental carbon. A process for regenerating elemental magnesium from magnesium oxide is also provided, in addition to processes for producing energy from the elemental carbon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Inventor: Petr GLADKOV
  • Patent number: 8075642
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for preparing liquid fuel and chemical intermediates from biomass-derived oxygenated hydrocarbons. The method includes the steps of reacting in a single reactor an aqueous solution of a biomass-derived, water-soluble oxygenated hydrocarbon reactant, in the presence of a catalyst comprising a metal selected from the group consisting of Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Mo, Tc, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ag, W, Re, Os, Ir, Pt, and Au, at a temperature, and a pressure, and for a time sufficient to yield a self-separating, three-phase product stream comprising a vapor phase, an organic phase containing linear and/or cyclic mono-oxygenated hydrocarbons, and an aqueous phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: James A. Dumesic, Dante A. Simonetti, Edward L. Kunkes
  • Patent number: 8067657
    Abstract: The process described by this invention involves the hydroconversion of vegetable oils appropriately selected for the production of N-paraffins, through hydrotreatment of a stream of vegetable hydrocarbon oils in and/or natural fats that may be used in a pure state or in a mixture with mineral hydrocarbon oil. This mixture flow is submitted to the process of hydrotreatment, obtaining as a result, a product flow with an elevated content of N-paraffins in the range of C10-C-13. This process provides an alternative to the usual process that uses a mineral hydrocarbon oil load (petroleum kerosene of paraffin base) to produce C10-C13 N-paraffins that are raw materials for the production of detergents (LAB), being, therefore, especially advantageous for use in situations where kerosene is a limiting factor for producing N-paraffins, resulting in a product of good quality with a reasonable gain in the production of N-paraffins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. - Petrobras
    Inventors: Fernando Antonio Duarte Santiago, Wlamir Soares Nogueira, Anita Eleonora Ferreira Fontes, Lelia Maria Ximenes Lowe, Jefferson Roberto Gomes
  • Publication number: 20110263914
    Abstract: A method for producing synthetic fluids from TGFA's harvested from genetically modified seed crops in which all of the fatty acids in the TGFA's from the seeds of a crop have the same carbon atom chain length, preferably C12 or C14, and the synthetic fluids produced by the method. The TGFA's are hydroprocessed to cleave the fatty acids from the glycol backbone and to hydrodeoxygenate and isomerize the fatty acids to form single carbon chain length isoparaffins having a controlled degree of branching with minimum cracking. Controlled mixtures of hydrocarbon components, in which each hydrocarbon component of the mixture has a different single carbon atom chain length, are produced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: Accelergy Corporation
    Inventor: Rocco A. Fiato
  • Publication number: 20110262987
    Abstract: Methods of producing useful products, such as hydrocarbons and other molecules that are useful as fuels, from carbonaceous materials, are disclosed. Such methods include obtaining a carbonaceous material, such as coal, from a deposit and treating the carbonaceous material with one or more chemicals, including acetic acid, salts of acetic acid, esters of acetic acid, hydroxides and peroxides, alone or in combination, to solubilize the material in preparation for further processing, such as bioconversion, to produce useful products, or solubilizing the carbonaceous material in a formation using the above-recited chemicals, removing the solubilized material from the formation and bioconverting it to produce useful products, or solubilizing the material using the above-recited chemicals and bioconverting at least a portion of the solubilized material in a formation followed by recovery of useful products from the formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventor: Robert A. Downey
  • Patent number: 8043589
    Abstract: The invention provides a process for removing COS and H2S from a feed synthesis gas stream comprising COS and H2S, the process comprising contacting the feed synthesis gas stream with solid adsorbent at a temperature in the range of from 100 to 240° C. to remove carbonyl sulphide and hydrogen sulphide, thereby obtaining a purified synthesis gas stream, wherein the solid adsorbent comprises one or more metals or oxides of the metals or combinations thereof and the metals are selected from the group of Ag, Sn, Mo, Fe and Zn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Rudolf Henri Max Herold, Thijme Last, Bernardus Josephus Maria Manshande, Cornelis Jacobus Smit
  • Publication number: 20110245553
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Tom N. Kalnes, Terry L. Marker, John P. Brady
  • Publication number: 20110245444
    Abstract: A method for processing biomass comprising heating an aqueous slurry comprising biomass, water and a phosphate catalyst in a pressure vessel at a temperature of about 150° C. to about 500° C. to produce a mixture comprising a dispersion of an organic phase and an aqueous phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2009
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: AQUAFLOW BIONOMIC CORPORATION LIMITED
    Inventors: Ian James Miller, Rhys Antony Batchelor
  • Publication number: 20110237852
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: John P. Brady, Tom N. Kalnes, Terry L. Marker
  • Publication number: 20110237854
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for extracting gaseous hydrocarbons, in particular liquid gas and/or a gas mixture resembling natural gas or one or more components contained in liquid gas or in the gas mixture resembling natural gas. The starting material used contains oxygen-containing hydrocarbons. The method comprises the following steps: providing the starting material—contacting the starting material with a porous catalyst in the absence of oxygen at a temperature of 300-850° C. in a converting reactor, resulting in a hydrocarbon-containing product gas mixture, in which the proportion by weight of the gaseous hydrocarbons is greater than that of the liquid hydrocarbons, —collecting the hydrocarbon-containing product gas stream and supplying the product gas stream to a separating device, where product separation is performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft Zur Foerderung Der Angewandten Forschung E.V.
    Inventors: Volker Heil, Wolfgang Urban, Axel Kraft, Christoph Unger, Karl Meller, Joachim Danzig, Ulrich Seifert, Anna Fastabend, Silvana Rossow, Andreas Menne
  • Patent number: 8026401
    Abstract: A process for producing a hydrocarbon from biomass. A feed stream having free fatty acids, fatty acid esters or combinations thereof is provided. The feed stream is heated in the presence of a first catalyst to produce a partially hydrodeoxygenated stream. The partially hydrodeoxygenated stream is heated in the presence of a second catalyst to produce an effluent stream containing the hydrocarbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Syntroleum Corporation
    Inventors: Ramin Abhari, Peter Havlik
  • Patent number: 8022259
    Abstract: A method for hydroconversion of a combined feed of at least one low value petroleum derived hydrocarbon and at least one biorenewable feedstock in a hydroconversion reaction zone in the presence of a hydroconversion catalyst at hydroconversion reaction conditions for a period of time sufficient to form a hydroconversion reaction product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Lorenz Bauer, Michael McCall, Edwin Boldingh
  • Patent number: 8017819
    Abstract: A triglyceride or a triglyceride/hydrocarbon combination can be heated to produce thermally treated feeds. The thermally treated feeds can then be contacted with a hydrotreating catalyst in a reaction zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: Jianhua Yao, Edward L. Sughrue, II, Dhananjay B. Ghonasgi, Xiaochun Xu
  • Patent number: 8008535
    Abstract: A process for converting gaseous alkanes to olefins and higher molecular weight hydrocarbons wherein a gaseous feed containing alkanes is reacted with a dry bromine vapor to form alkyl bromides and hydrobromic acid vapor. The mixture of alkyl bromides and hydrobromic acid are then reacted over a synthetic crystalline alumino-silicate catalyst, such as an X or Y type zeolite, at a temperature of from about 250° C. to about 500° C. so as to form olefins, higher molecular weight hydrocarbons and hydrobromic acid vapor. Various methods are disclosed to remove the hydrobromic acid vapor from the olefins and higher molecular weight hydrocarbons and to generate bromine from the hydrobromic acid for use in the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Marathon GTF Technology, Ltd.
    Inventor: John J. Waycuilis
  • Patent number: 8003833
    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: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: 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: 7999143
    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 involves treating a renewable feedstock by hydrogenating and deoxygenating to provide a hydrocarbon fraction useful as a diesel boiling range fuel. Water is added to the deoxygenation reaction to drive carbon monoxide and water to react to form hydrogen and carbon dioxide. The hydrogen is then consumed by the reactions. If desired, the hydrocarbon fraction can be isomerized to improve cold flow properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignees: UOP LLC, ENI S.p.A.
    Inventors: Terry L. Marker, Peter Kokayeff, Giovanni Faraci, Franco Baldiraghi
  • Patent number: 7994377
    Abstract: For converting ethanol to a diesel fuel base stock: a reaction stage (a) of contacting the ethanol with an acid catalyst, amorphous or structured, predominantly mesoporous, at a temperature of 300° C. to 500° C., at a pressure of 2 to 10 MPa and at a WHSV of 0.2 to 4 h?1, producing a gas phase, an organic liquid phase and an aqueous liquid phase, and —a stage (b) of separating the gas phase, the organic liquid phase and the aqueous liquid phase at a pressure close to the reaction pressure, and recycling at least part of the gas phase separated in stage (b) to stage (a), and hydrogenating at least part of the organic liquid phase separated in stage (b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: IFP Energies Nouvelles
    Inventors: Vincent Coupard, Sylvie Maury, Frédéric Capuano, Mohamed Bengrine
  • Patent number: 7989671
    Abstract: A method of producing a hydrocarbon product by hydrotreating a feedstock comprising triacylglyceride (TAG) 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, 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Energy & Environmental Research Center Foundation
    Inventors: Joshua R. Strege, Benjamin G. Oster, Paul D. Pansegrau, Chad A. Wocken, Ted R. Aulich
  • Patent number: 7977391
    Abstract: Process for the production of a condensed-phase product from one or more gas-phase reactants, by feeding one or more reactants into a reactor, in which reactor the one or more reactants react in the gas-phase in the presence of a solid catalyst having one or more catalyst components to produce at least one product which is in a condensed-phase under reaction conditions. The solid catalyst is present as a bed having two or more regions in which the contact time of the one or more gas-phase reactants with the one or more catalyst components is different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: BP Exploration Operating Company Limited
    Inventor: Sander Gaemers
  • Publication number: 20110166405
    Abstract: A process for producing paraffinic hydrocarbons from a feedstock comprising triglycerides, diglycerides, monoglycerides and/or fatty acids, the process comprising the following steps: (a) hydrode oxygenating the triglycerides, diglycerides, monoglycerides and/or fatty acids in the feedstock by contacting hydrogen and the feedstock with a hydrogenation catalyst at a temperature in the range of from 250 to 380° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Inventors: Johannes Van Beijnum, Edward Julius Creyghton, Andries Hendrik Janssen
  • Patent number: 7972392
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fuel preparation for use in diesel engines consisting of plant oil mono-alcohol esters and up to 20 weight percent linear and branched paraffins and olefins of chain length C5-C11 and alcohols of chain length C2-C8, whereby the paraffins, olefins and alcohols are obtained by means of gasification of biomass and subsequent Fischer-Tropsch synthesis not involving any processing of the Fischer-Tropsch fraction by means of hydrogenating procedures and the preparation has a flash point >55° C. and a density >820 kg/m3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Choren Industries GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Eichhorn, Anton Althapp, Dietmar Rüger, Olaf Schulze
  • Patent number: 7964764
    Abstract: A method of synthesizing hydrocarbons from smaller hydrocarbons includes the steps of hydrocarbon halogenation, simultaneous oligomerization and hydrogen halide neutralization, and product recovery, with a metal-oxygen cataloreactant used to facilitate carbon-carbon coupling. Treatment with air or oxygen liberates halogen and regenerates the cataloreactant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: GRT, Inc.
    Inventor: Ivan M. Lorkovic