Processes and systems for producing fuels from a feed fuel

Abstract

The disclosure relates to processes and systems for producing two fuels, including a main fuel and a secondary fuel, from a feed fuel that comprises alcohol, suitable for use in connection with a compression ignition engine. The process involves the catalytic conversion, in a reactor, of the alcohol content in the feed fuel into an ether, with a water byproduct. The reactor output, which comprises unreacted alcohol in addition to the ether and water; is condensed and then a liquid product comprising unreacted alcohol and water is separated from an ether-concentrated vapour. The ether-concentrated vapour is used to produce the secondary fuel. The liquid unreacted alcohol and water byproduct, with a lower ether content, is then re-directed within the process. Also described are strategies to protect the catalyst used in the catalytic conversion.