Process for producing bio-derived fuel with alkyl ester and iso-paraffin components

Abstract

A process for producing a diesel fuel of biological origin. The process includes a biological component to be trans-esterified into a fatty acid alkyl ester. A fraction of the fatty acid alkyl ester is hydrodeoxygenated and hydroisomerized to produce an iso-paraffinic hydrocarbon. The fatty acid alkyl ester and the iso-paraffin components are combined into a middle distillate product suitable for direct use as diesel or jet fuel.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The present application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 883,529, filed Jan. 5, 2007, which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT[0002]Not applicable.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]1. Field of the Invention[0004]The present invention relates generally to a process for the production of diesel fuel from renewable resources, and more particularly, not by way of limitation, to an improved process for the production of diesel fuel from renewable resources for use as alternatives or additives to petroleum-based or gas-to-liquid produced products.[0005]2. Brief Description of the Related Art[0006]Processes useful for producing fatty acid alkyl esters from renewable sources such as animal fats and vegetable oils have been in use for many years. Examples of such processes are found in U.S. Pat. Nos....

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0016]An object of certain embodiments of the invention is converting triglycerides with varying levels of saturation and free-fatty acid to diesel blends having both iso-paraffinic and methyl ester components. The iso-paraffin component improves low temperature properties while the methyl ester improves lubricity.

[0017]Another object of certain embodiments of the invention is to produce a high quality middle distillate with improved yields and properties that meet the generally accepted specifications for conventional fuels.

Problems solved by technology

However, several factors limit the choice of feedstock for biodiesel production.

If the triglyceride molecule is made up of mostly saturated fatty acids, the resulting biodiesel will have poor low temperature properties (e.g. high cloud point and pour point).

Since fatty acids convert to soaps under typical base-catalyzed transesterification conditions, high levels of FFA result in operating problems and catalyst consumption inefficiencies.

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