BIOSOURCE HYDROCARBON FLUIDS

Abstract

The invention relates to a hydrocarbon fluid comprising 75 to 95% by weight of isoparaffins and less than 500 ppm by weight of aromatics relative to the total weight of the hydrocarbon fluid, said fluid having an initial boiling point and a final boiling point in the range of 120 to 240°C and a flash point of less than 90°C. The invention also relates to the use of the hydrocarbon fluid according to the invention as a solvent, for example in a paint, material coating, material treatment, sealant, polymerization, aerosol, cleaning or water treatment composition.

Description

Title of the invention: BIOSOURCED HYDROCARBON FLUIDS TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to a bio-sourced isoparaffinic fluid having particularly interesting properties, for example in applications as a solvent. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] Special fluids are liquids used as industrial fluids, agricultural fluids, and fluids for domestic use generally obtained from fossil hydrocarbons transformed by refining processes but also from numerous products resulting from the polymerization or oligomerization of olefins of 3 to 4 carbons, and also from synthetic hydrocarbons resulting from the transformation of natural gas or synthesis gas from biomass and / or coal.These include drilling fluids, industrial lubricants, fluids for automotive formulations, plant protection products, base fluids for ink formulations, fuels for domestic applications, extender oils for sealants, viscosity reducers for resin-based formulations, pharmaceutical compositions and compositions for food contact, fluids for cosmetic formulations, heat transfer fluids, dielectric fluids, lubricating base fluids, degreasing fluids.

[0003] Manufacturers are increasingly seeking to replace products of fossil origin with bio-sourced products (which are not of fossil origin).

[0004] Document WO2016185047 describes a heavy hydrocarbon fluid having more than 95% by weight of isoparaffins and less than 100 ppm of aromatics, obtained from a biomass.

[0005] The objective of the present invention is to provide a biosourced volatile hydrocarbon fluid having properties suitable for the intended applications. Summary of the invention

[0006] The invention relates to a hydrocarbon fluid comprising 75 to 95% by weight of isoparaffins and less than 500 ppm by weight of aromatics relative to the total weight of the hydrocarbon fluid, said fluid having an initial boiling point and a final boiling point in the range of 120 to 240°C and a flash point below 90°C.

[0007] According to one embodiment, the difference between the final boiling point and the initial boiling point ranges from 10 to 60°C, preferably from 25 to 45°C.

[0008] According to a preferred embodiment, the fluid according to the invention comprises:

[0009] - a weight content of isoparaffins ranging from 80 to 93%, preferably from 85 to 90%, relative to the total weight of the hydrocarbon fluid; and / or

[0010] - a weight content of n-paraffins ranging from 5 to 25% by weight, preferably from 7 to 20%, relative to the total weight of the hydrocarbon fluid; and / or

[0011] - a weight content of aromatic compounds less than or equal to 300 ppm, 200 ppm, preferably less than or equal to 100 ppm, relative to the total weight of the hydrocarbon fluid; and / or

[0012] - a content by weight of naphthenic compounds less than or equal to 1%, of preferably less than or equal to 0.5% and preferably less than or equal to 100 ppm relative to the total weight of the hydrocarbon fluid.

[0013] According to a preferred embodiment, the hydrocarbon fluid according to the invention has a biodegradability at 28 days measured according to the OECD 306 standard greater than or equal to 60%.

[0014] According to a preferred embodiment, the hydrocarbon fluid according to the invention has a flash point less than or equal to 80°C, preferably less than or equal to 70°C, more preferably less than or equal to 60°C.

[0015] According to a preferred embodiment, the hydrocarbon fluid according to the invention comprises, relative to the total weight of the hydrocarbon fluid:

[0016] - from 90 to 98% by weight of paraffins having from 9 to 10 carbon atoms, or

[0017] - from 90 to 98% by weight of paraffins having from 11 to 13 carbon atoms.

[0018] The invention also relates to a process for preparing a hydrocarbon fluid according to the invention, comprising at least one step of catalytic hydrogenation at a temperature of 80 to 180°C and at a pressure of 50 to 160 bars of a deoxygenated and isomerized feedstock of biological origin having a boiling range of 150 to 340°C.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the method further comprises a fractionation step at the end of the hydrogenation step.

[0020] According to a preferred embodiment, the deoxygenated and isomerized charge of biological origin has an initial boiling point ranging from 120 to 200°C, preferably ranging from 140 to 170°C.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the deoxygenated and isomerized feedstock (before hydrogenation) has a flash point ranging from 40 to 90°C, preferably from 50 to 80°C, more preferably from 55 to 70°C.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the deoxygenated and isomerized feedstock (before hydrogenation) has a pour point less than or equal to 5°C, preferably less than or equal to 0°C, more preferably less than or equal to -5°C, or even less than or equal to -10°C.

[0023] The invention also relates to the use of a hydrocarbon fluid according to the invention as a solvent, for example in a paint, material coating, material treatment, mastic, polymerization, aerosol, cleaning or water treatment composition.

[0024] The invention makes it possible to provide a biosourced volatile isoparaffinic fluid.

[0025] The invention makes it possible to provide a volatile isoparaffinic fluid having a flash point low, particularly useful for solvent applications. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] The invention relates to a hydrocarbon fluid comprising 75 to 95% by weight of isoparaffins and less than 500 ppm by weight of aromatics relative to the total weight of the hydrocarbon fluid, said fluid having an initial boiling point and a final boiling point in the range of 120 to 240°C and a flash point below 90°C.

[0027] As a preliminary point, it will be noted that, in the following description and claims, the expression "between" must be understood as including the limits cited.

[0028] For the purposes of the present invention, the word “paraffins” includes isoparaffins and n-paraffins.

[0029] For the purposes of the present invention, the word “isoparaffins” denotes non-cyclic branched alkanes.

[0030] For the purposes of the present invention, the word “n-paraffins” designates non-cyclic linear alkanes.

[0031] For the purposes of the present invention, the word “naphthenes” denotes cyclic (non-aromatic) alkanes.

[0032] The hydrocarbon fluid according to the invention comprises from 75 to 95% by weight of isoparaffins, preferably from 80 to 93% by weight of isoparaffins, preferentially from 85 to 90% by weight of isoparaffins, relative to the total weight of the hydrocarbon fluid.

[0033] The hydrocarbon fluid according to the invention preferably comprises from 5 to 25% by weight of n-paraffins, preferably from 7 to 20%, more preferably from 10 to 15% by weight of n-paraffins, relative to the total weight of the hydrocarbon fluid.

[0034] The hydrocarbon fluid according to the invention comprises a weight content of aromatic compounds of less than 500 ppm by weight, preferably a weight content of aromatic compounds of less than or equal to 300 ppm, preferably less than or equal to 200 ppm, preferably less than or equal to 100 ppm, preferably less than or equal to 50 ppm, preferably less than or equal to 20 ppm.

[0035] The hydrocarbon fluid according to the invention preferably comprises a content by weight of naphthenic compounds less than or equal to 1%, preferably less than or equal to 0.5% and preferably less than or equal to 500 ppm relative to the total weight of the hydrocarbon fluid.

[0036] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the hydrocarbon fluid according to the invention comprises from 85 to 89% by weight of isoparaffins, from 11 to 15% by weight of n-paraffins, and less than 0.5% by weight of naphthenic compounds, relative to the total weight of the hydrocarbon fluid.

[0037] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the hydrocarbon fluid according to the invention comprises from 85 to 89% by weight of isoparaffins, from 11 to 15% by weight of n-paraffins, less than 0.5% by weight of naphthenic compounds and less than 500 ppm by weight of aromatic compounds, relative to the total weight of the hydrocarbon fluid.

[0038] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the hydrocarbon fluid according to the invention comprises from 85 to 89% by weight of isoparaffins, from 11 to 15% by weight of n-paraffins, less than 0.5% by weight of naphthenic compounds and less than 100 ppm by weight of aromatic compounds, relative to the total weight of the hydrocarbon fluid.

[0039] The contents of isoparaffins, n-paraffins and naphthenes can be measured according to methods well known to those skilled in the art, for example by gas chromatography. The aromatic content can be determined, for example, by UV spectrometry.

[0040] The hydrocarbon fluid according to the invention has an initial boiling point and a final boiling point in the range from 120 to 240°C, preferably from 125 to 210°C, more preferably from 130 to 210°C.

[0041] The boiling range can be determined according to ASTM D86.

[0042] Preferably, the difference between the final boiling point and the initial boiling point ranges from 10 to 60°C, preferably from 25 to 45°C.

[0043] According to one embodiment, the hydrocarbon fluid according to the invention comprises from 90 to 98% by weight of paraffins having from 9 to 13 carbon atoms.

[0044] Particularly preferably, the hydrocarbon fluid comprises:

[0045] - from 90 to 98% by weight of paraffins having from 9 to 10 carbon atoms, or

[0046] - from 90 to 98% by weight of paraffins having from 11 to 13 carbon atoms,

[0047] relative to the total weight of the hydrocarbon fluid.

[0048] The hydrocarbon fluid according to the invention has a flash point of less than 90°C, preferably a flash point of less than or equal to 80°C, preferably a flash point of less than or equal to 70°C, more preferably a flash point of less than or equal to 65°C, or even less than or equal to 60°C.

[0049] The flash point can be measured for example according to ASTM D93.

[0050] According to one embodiment, the hydrocarbon fluid according to the invention has a viscosity at 40°C less than or equal to 2 mm2 / s, preferably less than or equal to 1.7 mm2 / s, preferentially less than or equal to 1.5 mm2 / s, more preferentially less than or equal to 1.2 mm2 / s, or even less than or equal to 1 mm2 / s.

[0051] Kinematic viscosity at 40°C can be measured according to ASTM D445.

[0052] According to one embodiment, the hydrocarbon fluid according to the invention comprises from 85 to 89% by weight of isoparaffins, from 11 to 15% by weight of n-paraffins, less than 0.5% by weight of naphthenic compounds and less than 500 ppm by weight of aromatic compounds, relative to the total weight of the hydrocarbon fluid, and has a flash point less than or equal to 70°C.

[0053] According to one embodiment, the hydrocarbon fluid according to the invention comprises from 85 to 89% by weight of isoparaffins, from 11 to 15% by weight of n-paraffins, less than 0.5% by weight of naphthenic compounds and less than 100 ppm by weight of aromatic compounds, relative to the total weight of the hydrocarbon fluid, and has a flash point less than or equal to 70°C.

[0054] According to one embodiment, the hydrocarbon fluid according to the invention comprises from 85 to 89% by weight of isoparaffins, from 11 to 15% by weight of n-paraffins, less than 0.5% by weight of naphthenic compounds and less than 500 ppm by weight of aromatic compounds, relative to the total weight of the hydrocarbon fluid, and has a viscosity at 40°C less than or equal to 1.7 mm2 / s.

[0055] According to one embodiment, the hydrocarbon fluid according to the invention comprises from 85 to 89% by weight of isoparaffins, from 11 to 15% by weight of n-paraffins, less than 0.5% by weight of naphthenic compounds and less than 100 ppm by weight of aromatic compounds, relative to the total weight of the hydrocarbon fluid, and has a viscosity at 40°C less than or equal to 1.7 mm2 / s.

[0056] According to one embodiment, the hydrocarbon fluid according to the invention comprises: - from 90 to 98% by weight of paraffins having from 9 to 10 carbon atoms and has a viscosity at 40°C less than or equal to 1 mm2 / s, or - from 90 to 98% by weight of paraffins having from 11 to 13 carbon atoms and has a viscosity at 40°C less than or equal to 1.2 mm2 / s.

[0057] According to one embodiment, the hydrocarbon fluid according to the invention comprises: - from 90 to 98% by weight of paraffins having from 9 to 10 carbon atoms, has a flash point ranging from 25 to 50°C and has a viscosity at 40°C less than or equal to 1 mm2 / s, or - from 90 to 98% by weight of paraffins having from 11 to 13 carbon atoms, has a flash point ranging from 50 to 65°C and has a viscosity at 40°C less than or equal to 1.2 mm2 / s.

[0058] The hydrocarbon fluid according to the invention also preferably has an extremely low content by weight of sulfur compounds, typically less than or equal to 5 ppm, preferably less than or equal to 3 ppm and more preferably less than or equal to 0.5 ppm, that is to say at a level too low to be detected using conventional low-sulfur analyzers.

[0059] According to a particular embodiment, the hydrocarbon fluid according to the invention has a biodegradability at 28 days of at least 60%, preferably at least 70%, preferentially at least 75% and even more preferentially at least 80% measured according to the OECD 306 standard.

[0060] According to one embodiment, the hydrocarbon fluid according to the invention has a biodegradability at 28 days of at least 60%, measured according to the OECD 306 method, and a flash point less than or equal to 60°C.

[0061] According to one embodiment, the hydrocarbon fluid according to the invention has a biodegradability at 28 days of at least 60%, measured according to the OECD 306 method, and a flash point below 90°C and comprises from 85 to 89% by weight of isoparaffins relative to the total weight of the hydrocarbon fluid.

[0062] According to one embodiment, the hydrocarbon fluid according to the invention has a biodegradability at 28 days of at least 60%, measured according to the OECD 306 method, and a flash point below 90°C and comprises from 85 to 89% by weight of isoparaffins and less than 100 ppm by weight of aromatic compounds relative to the total weight of the hydrocarbon fluid.

[0063] According to one embodiment, the hydrocarbon fluid according to the invention has a biodegradability at 28 days of at least 60%, measured according to the OECD 306 method, and a flash point below 90°C and comprises from 85 to 89% by weight of isoparaffins relative to the total weight of the hydrocarbon fluid, and said fluid has an initial boiling point and a final boiling point in the range from 120°C to 240°C.

[0064] According to one embodiment, the hydrocarbon fluid according to the invention has a biodegradability at 28 days of at least 60%, measured according to the OECD 306 method, and a flash point less than or equal to 65°C and comprises from 85 to 89% by weight of isoparaffins relative to the total weight of the hydrocarbon fluid, and said fluid has an initial boiling point and a final boiling point in the range from 125°C to 210°C.

[0065] According to one embodiment, the hydrocarbon fluid according to the invention has a biodegradability at 28 days of at least 60%, measured according to the OECD 306 method, and a flash point less than or equal to 65°C and comprises from 85 to 89% by weight of isoparaffins and less than 100 ppm by weight of aromatic compounds relative to the total weight of the hydrocarbon fluid, and said fluid has an initial boiling point and a final boiling point in the range from 125°C to 210°C.

[0066] According to one embodiment, the hydrocarbon fluid according to the invention has a biodegradability at 28 days of at least 60%, measured according to the OECD 306 method, and a flash point less than or equal to 60°C and comprises from 80 to 90% by weight of isoparaffins relative to the total weight of the hydrocarbon fluid, and said fluid has an initial boiling point and a final boiling point in the range from 125°C to 210°C.

[0067] According to one embodiment, the hydrocarbon fluid according to the invention has a biodegradability at 28 days of at least 60%, measured according to the OECD 306 method, and a flash point less than or equal to 50°C and comprises from 80 to 90% by weight of isoparaffins relative to the total weight of the hydrocarbon fluid, and said fluid has an initial boiling point and a final boiling point in the range from 130°C to 190°C.

[0068] According to one embodiment, the hydrocarbon fluid according to the invention has a pour point less than or equal to -20°C, preferably less than or equal to -40°C, more preferably less than or equal to -50°C, even more preferably less than or equal to -70°C, or even less than or equal to -80°C.

[0069] The pour point can be measured according to ASTM D5950.

[0070] According to one embodiment, the hydrocarbon fluid according to the invention has a flash point of less than 90°C, a pour point of less than or equal to -50°C and comprises from 80 to 89% by weight of isoparaffins and from 11 to 15% by weight of n-paraffins, relative to the total weight of the hydrocarbon fluid.

[0071] According to one embodiment, the hydrocarbon fluid according to the invention has a flash point less than or equal to 65°C, a pour point less than or equal to -70°C and comprises from 80 to 89% by weight of isoparaffins and from 11 to 15% by weight of n-paraffins, relative to the total weight of the hydrocarbon fluid.

[0072] According to one embodiment, the hydrocarbon fluid according to the invention has a flash point less than or equal to 65°C, a pour point less than or equal to -70°C and comprises from 80 to 89% by weight of isoparaffins, from 11 to 15% by weight of n-paraffins and less than 100 ppm by weight of aromatic compounds, relative to the total weight of the hydrocarbon fluid.

[0073] Process for obtaining the hydrocarbon fluid:

[0074] The hydrocarbon fluid according to the invention is a hydrocarbon cut, typically resulting from the conversion of biomass.

[0075] By biomass conversion product is meant a hydrocarbon fraction produced from raw materials of biological origin. The raw materials of biological origin may be chosen from vegetable oils, animal fats, fish oils and mixtures thereof.

[0076] The invention also relates to a process for preparing a hydrocarbon fluid according to the invention, said process comprising at least one step of catalytic hydrogenation at a temperature of 80 to 180°C and at a pressure of 50 to 160 bars of a charge (or cut) of deoxygenated and isomerized biological origin having a boiling range of 150 to 340°C.

[0077] According to one embodiment, the method comprises a preliminary step of preparing a deoxygenated and isomerized cut by a hydrodeoxygenation step (HDO) followed by an isomerization step (ISO).

[0078] The hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) step leads to the decomposition of the structures of the biological esters or triglyceride constituents, the elimination of oxygenated, phosphorus and sulfur compounds and the hydrogenation of the olefinic bonds. The product resulting from the hydrodeoxygenation reaction is then isomerized.

[0079] Preferably, the deoxygenated and isomerized feedstock of biological origin has an initial boiling point ranging from 120 to 200°C, preferably ranging from 140 to 170°C, before the hydrogenation step.

[0080] Advantageously, the fractions of interest are then subjected to hydrotreatment and then distillation steps in order to obtain the specifications of the hydrocarbon fluid according to the invention.

[0081] This HDO / ISO process is carried out on a raw biological feedstock, also called biomass or raw material of biological origin, selected from the group consisting of vegetable oils, animal fats, fish oils and their mixture. Suitable raw materials of biological origin are, for example, rapeseed oil, canola oil, tall oil, sunflower oil, soybean oil, hemp oil, olive oil, linseed oil, mustard oil, palm oil, peanut oil, castor oil, coconut oil, animal fats such as tallow, recycled edible fats, raw materials from genetic engineering, and biological raw materials produced from microorganisms such as algae and bacteria. Condensation products, esters or other derivatives obtained from raw biological materials can also serve as raw materials.

[0082] Preferably, the raw material of biological origin is an ester or a triglyceride derivative. This material is first subjected to a hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) step to decompose the structure of the constituent esters or triglycerides and eliminate the oxygenated, phosphorus and sulfur compounds concomitantly with the hydrogenation of the olefinic bonds. This hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) step of the raw material of biological origin is followed by an isomerization of the product thus obtained leading to the branching of the hydrocarbon chain and to an improvement in the properties of the paraffin at low temperatures.

[0083] During the HDO step, the hydrogen and the raw material of biological origin are passed over a hydrodeoxygenation catalytic bed simultaneously, in the same direction or countercurrently. During the HDO step, the pressure and temperature are between 20 and 150 bars and between 200 and 500°C respectively. Conventional and known hydrodeoxygenation catalysts are used during this step. Optionally, the raw material of biological origin may be subjected to pre-hydrogenation under mild conditions to avoid secondary reactions of the double bonds before the HDO step. After the hydrodeoxygenation step, the product resulting from the reaction is subjected to an isomerization step (ISO) where the hydrogen and the product, and possibly a mixture of n-paraffins, are passed over isomerization catalytic beds simultaneously, in the same direction or countercurrently.During the ISO step, the pressure and temperature are between 20 and 150 bars and between 200 and 500°C respectively. Conventional and known isomerization catalysts are used during this step.

[0084] Additional secondary processes may also be implemented (such as intermediate mixing, trapping or other such processes).

[0085] Various HDO / ISO processes are described in the literature. Application WO2014 / 033762 describes a process comprising a pre-hydrogenation step, a hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) step and an isomerization step carried out countercurrently. Patent application EPI728844 describes a process for producing hydrocarbon compounds from a mixture of compounds of plant and animal origin. This process comprises a step of pre-treating the mixture to remove contaminants, such as alkali metal salts, followed by a hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) step and an isomerization step.Patent application EP2084245 describes a process for producing a hydrocarbon mixture that can be used as diesel or in a diesel composition by hydrodeoxygenation of a mixture of biological origin containing fatty acid esters optionally in admixture with free fatty acids, for example vegetable oils such as sunflower oil, rapeseed oil, canola oil, palm oil or tall oil, followed by hydroisomerization on specific catalysts. Patent application EP2368967 describes such a process and the product obtained by this process.

[0086] Advantageously, the raw material of biological origin contains less than 15 ppm of sulfur, preferably less than 8 ppm, preferentially less than 5 ppm and more preferentially less than 1 ppm according to standard EN ISO 20846. Ideally, the feedstock does not include sulfur as a raw material of biosourced origin. The deoxygenated and isomerized feedstock resulting from the HDO / ISO process is then hydrogenated.

[0087] The hydrogen used in the hydrogenation unit is typically highly purified hydrogen. Highly purified means hydrogen with a purity of, for example, greater than 99%, although other grades may also be used.

[0088] The hydrogenation step is carried out using catalysts. Typical hydrogenation catalysts can be either bulk or supported and can include the following metals: nickel, platinum, palladium, rhenium, rhodium, nickel tungstate, nickel-molybdenum, molybdenum, cobalt-molybdenum. The supports can be silica, alumina, silica-alumina or zeolites.

[0089] A preferred catalyst is a nickel-based catalyst on an alumina support whose specific surface area varies between 100 and 200 m2 / g of catalyst or a nickel-based bulk catalyst. The hydrogenation conditions are typically as follows: - Pressure: 50 to 160 bars, preferably 80 to 150 bars and more preferably 90 to 120 bars; -Temperature: 80 to 180°C, preferably 120 to 160°C and more preferably 150 to 160°C; - Hourly volumetric speed (WH): 0.2 to 5 hr', preferably 0.4 to 3 hr1 and more preferably 0.5 to 0.8 hr*; - Hydrogen treatment rate: suitable for the conditions mentioned above and up to 200 Nm3 / tonnes of charge to be treated.

[0090] The temperature in the reactors is typically between 150 and 160°C with a pressure of approximately 100 bars while the hourly volumetric velocity is approximately 0.6 hr 1 with a treatment rate adapted according to the quality of the feedstock to be treated and the parameters of the first hydrogenation reactor.

[0091] The hydrogenation may take place in one or more reactors in series. The reactors may comprise one or more catalytic beds. The catalytic beds are generally fixed catalytic beds.

[0092] The hydrogenation process preferably comprises two or three reactors, preferably three reactors and is more preferably carried out in three reactors in series.

[0093] The first reactor allows the trapping of sulfur compounds and the hydrogenation of essentially all unsaturated compounds and up to about 90% of the aromatic compounds. The product from the first reactor contains substantially no sulfur compounds. In the second stage, i.e. in the second reactor, the hydrogenation of the aromatics continues and up to 99% of the aromatics are thereby hydrogenated.

[0094] The third stage in the third reactor is a finishing stage making it possible to obtain aromatic contents of less than or equal to 500 ppm, preferably less than or equal to 300 ppm, preferentially less than or equal to 100 ppm, more preferentially less than or equal to 50 ppm, and ideally less than or equal to 20 ppm even in the case of products with a high boiling point, for example greater than 300°C.

[0095] It is possible to use a reactor which comprises two or three or more catalytic beds. The catalysts may be present in varying or essentially equal amounts in each reactor; for three reactors, the amounts as a function of weight may for example be 0.05-0.5 / 0.10-0.70 / 0.25-0.85, preferably 0.07-0.25 / 0.15-0.35 / 0.4-0.78 and more preferably 0.10-0.20 / 0.20-0.32 / 0.48-0.70.

[0096] It is also possible to use one or two hydrogenation reactors instead of three.

[0097] It is also possible for the first reactor to be composed of twin reactors operated alternately. This mode of operation notably allows for easier loading and unloading of the catalysts: when the first reactor comprises the saturated catalyst first (substantially all the sulfur is trapped on and / or in the catalyst) it must be changed often.

[0098] A single reactor can also be used in which two, three or more catalytic beds are installed.

[0099] It may be necessary to insert quench boxes (in the English sense of "reaction smothering") in the recycle system or between reactors to cool the effluents from one reactor to another or from one catalytic bed to another in order to control the temperatures and hydrothermal balance of each reaction. In a preferred embodiment, there are no cooling or smothering intermediates.

[0100] According to one embodiment, the product from the process and / or the separated gases are at least partly recycled into the feed system of the hydrogenation reactors. This dilution helps to maintain the exothermicity of the reaction within controlled limits, in particular in the first stage. The recycling also allows heat exchange before the reaction and also better temperature control.

[0101] The effluent from the hydrogenation unit mainly contains the hydrogenated product and hydrogen. Flash separators are used to separate the effluents into the gas phase, mainly the residual hydrogen, and the liquid phase, mainly the hydrogenated hydrocarbon cuts. The process can be carried out using three flash separators, one at high pressure, one at intermediate pressure and one at low pressure very close to atmospheric pressure.

[0102] The hydrogen gas that is collected at the top of the flash separators can be recycled into the feed system of the hydrogenation unit or at different levels in the hydrogenation units between the reactors.

[0103] According to one embodiment, the final product is separated at atmospheric pressure. It then feeds directly into a vacuum fractionation unit. Preferably, the fractionation will be carried out at a pressure of between 10 and 50 mbar and more preferably at approximately 30 mbar.

[0104] The fractionation can be carried out in such a way that it is possible to simultaneously remove various hydrocarbon fluids from the fractionation column and their boiling temperature can be predetermined.

[0105] By adapting the feedstock through its initial and final boiling points, the hydrogenation reactors, separators and fractionation unit can therefore be directly connected without the need to use intermediate tanks. This integration of hydrogenation and fractionation allows for optimized thermal integration associated with a reduction in the number of devices and energy savings.

[0106] The hydrocarbon fluid according to the invention typically comes from the treatment of raw materials of biological origin.

[0107] The hydrocarbon fluid according to the invention typically has a biomaterial content of at least 90%. This content is advantageously higher, in particular greater than or equal to 95%, preferably greater than or equal to 98% and advantageously equal to 100%.

[0108] In addition to a particularly high content of biomaterial, the hydrocarbon fluid according to the invention has a particularly good biodegradability. The biodegradation of an organic chemical refers to the reduction of the complexity of chemical compounds through the metabolic activity of microorganisms. Under aerobic conditions, microorganisms convert organic substances into carbon dioxide, water and biomass. The OECD 306 method is used for the evaluation of the biodegradability of individual substances in seawater. According to this method, the hydrocarbon fluid according to the invention has a biodegradability at 28 days of at least 60%, preferably at least 70%, more preferably at least 75% and advantageously at least 80%.

[0109] Use of the hydrocarbon fluid:

[0110] The invention also relates to the use of the hydrocarbon fluid according to the invention as a solvent, for example in a paint composition, material coating (e.g. wood), material treatment (e.g. wood), mastic, polymerization, aerosol, cleaning or water treatment.

[0111] The hydrocarbon fluids according to the invention can be used: as drilling fluids, in hydraulic fracturing, in mining, in water treatment, as industrial solvents, in the composition of paints, for decorative coatings, in coating fluids, in the automotive industry, in the textile industry, in metal extraction, in explosives, in oil dispersants, in concrete release formulations, in adhesives, in printing inks, in metalworking fluids, in coating fluids, in rolling oils, in particular for aluminum, as cutting fluids, as rolling oils, as electroerosion machining (EDM) fluids, as rust preventatives, as industrial lubricants, as diluting oils, in sealing products such as mastics or polymers, in particular silicone-based,as viscosity depressants in plasticized polyvinyl chloride formulations, in resins, in varnishes, in polymers used in water treatment, papermaking or printing pastes including as thickener, cleaning and / or degreasing solvents, for suspension polymerization, in the food processing industry, for food grade applications, home care, heat transfer media, shock absorbers, insulating oils, hydraulic oils, gear oils, turbine oils, textile oils and transmission fluids such as automatic transmission fluids or manual gearbox formulations, and as solvents in chemical reactions including crystallization, extraction and fermentation, as a dielectric fluid or coolant. EXAMPLES ,

[0112] In the remainder of this description, examples are given for the purpose of illustrating the present invention and are not intended in any way to limit its scope.

[0113] Table 1 groups together the physicochemical properties of three hydrocarbon fluids according to the invention and of hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) before hydrogenation.

[0114] The fluids were prepared by hydrogenation of a hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO). The hydrogenation was carried out at a temperature of 150-160°C, a pressure of 100 bars and an hourly volumetric flow rate of 0.6h *. The catalyst used for the hydrogenation is nickel on alumina.

[0115] A distillation is carried out at the end of the hydrogenation step in order to recover the cut of interest (Fluids 1 to 3).

[0116] [Tables 1] Characteristics Hydrotreated vegetable oil Fluid 1 Fluid 2 Fluid 3 Aromatics (pp m) 500 <20 <20 <20 Sulfur (ppm) <1 <1 <1 <1 % iso paraffins (w / w) 77 78 83 81 % n-paraffins ( w / w) 23 22 17 19 % naphthenics ( w / w) 0 0 0 0 C8 (iso) 0.7 5.2 0 0 C9 (iso) 2.53 24.5 0.6 0 CIO (iso) 4.26 38.5 7.0 0 Cil (iso) 5.34 26.6 32.1 0.7 C12 (iso) 5.82 4.8 48.4 6.9 C13 (iso) 5.45 0 11.8 16.2 C14 (iso) 5.8 0 0 19.8 C15 (iso) 6.4 0 0 39.9 Cl 6+ (iso) 63.7 0 0 16.6 Quantity of carbons of biological origin (%) 100 100 100 100 Initial boiling point (°C) 157 141 178 211 Final boiling point (°C) 297 182 208 238 OECD biodegradability (28 days) (%) >60% >60% >60% >60% Density at 15°C (kg / m3) 0.7347 0.7525 0.7652 Flash point (°C) 61.5 28.5 63 89 Kinematic Viscosity at 40°C (c St) 0.845 1.191 1.66 Pour Point (°C) -14 -90 -72 -57

[0117] The following standards and methods were used to measure the above properties: - flash point: EN ISO 2719 - density at 15°C: EN ISO 1185 - viscosity at 40°C: EN ISO 3104 - Boiling point: ASTM D86 - biodegradability: OECD 306 method

[0118] - pour point: ASTM D5950.

Claims

Claims

1. Hydrocarbon fluid comprising 75 to 95% by weight of isoparaffins and less than 500 ppm by weight of aromatics relative to the total weight of the hydrocarbon fluid, said fluid having an initial boiling point and a final boiling point in the range of 120 to 240°C and a flash point of less than 90°C, said fluid having a biodegradability at 28 days measured according to OECD standard 306 of greater than or equal to 60% and an n-paraffin content ranging from 7 to 25% by weight relative to the total weight of the hydrocarbon fluid.

2. Hydrocarbon fluid according to claim 1, wherein the difference between the final boiling point and the initial boiling point is from 10 to 60°C, preferably from 25 to 45°C.

3. Hydrocarbon fluid according to claim 1 or 2, comprising: - a weight content of isoparaffins ranging from 80 to 93%, preferably from 85 to 90%, relative to the total weight of the hydrocarbon fluid; and / or - a weight content of n-paraffins ranging from 7 to 20%, relative to the total weight of the hydrocarbon fluid; and / or - a weight content of aromatic compounds less than or equal to 300 ppm, 200 ppm, preferably less than or equal to 100 ppm, relative to the total weight of the hydrocarbon fluid; and / or - a weight content of naphthenic compounds less than or equal to 1%, preferably less than or equal to 0.5% and preferentially less than or equal to 100 ppm relative to the total weight of the hydrocarbon fluid.

4. Hydrocarbon fluid according to any one of claims 1 to 3, having a flash point less than or equal to 80°C, preferably less than or equal to 70°C, more preferably less than or equal to 60°C.

5. Hydrocarbon fluid according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising, relative to the total weight of the hydrocarbon fluid: - from 90 to 98% by weight of paraffins having from 9 to 10 carbon atoms, or - from 90 to 98% by weight of paraffins having from 11 to 13 carbon atoms.

6. Process for preparing a hydrocarbon fluid according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising at least one step of catalytic hydrogenation at a temperature of 80 to 180°C and at a pressure of 50 to 160 bars of a deoxygenated and isomerized feedstock of biological origin having a boiling range of 150 to 340°C.

7. Preparation process according to claim 6, further comprising a fractionation step at the end of the hydrogenation step.

8. Use of a hydrocarbon fluid according to any one of claims 1 to 5, as a solvent, for example in a paint, material coating, material treatment, sealant, polymerization, aerosol, cleaning or water treatment composition.