Aryl Ether Fuel Blend for Diesel Distillation Range and Cold Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current renewable diesel fuels lack the broad distillation range and compound diversity similar to fossil diesel, which affects their cetane number and cold flow properties, making them less suitable for direct use in diesel engines without engine modification.
Innovation Solution
A fuel blend comprising a major portion of internal combustion engine fuel, such as paraffinic or mixed diesel, and a minor portion of a mixture of five or more aryl ethers derived from biomass pyrolysis oil, which are converted from aryl alcohols to improve the fuel's distillation range and cold flow properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If renewable diesel fuels are produced from biomass (such as FAMEs or paraffinic diesel), then the renewable content is increased, but the distillation range remains narrow and compound diversity is reduced compared to fossil diesel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple biomass-derived components (FAMEs, paraffinic diesel from hydroprocessed vegetable oil, and aryl ethers from lignin pyrolysis oil) to create a composite fuel blend. This composite approach allows the fuel to achieve a broader distillation range and more compound diversity while maintaining high renewable content, effectively resolving the contradiction between renewable content and distillation range.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the fuel is optimized for broad distillation range to mimic petrodiesel, then the heat release profile improves, but the cold flow properties and cetane number may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by selecting specific components with tailored properties for different functions: FAMEs and paraffinic diesel provide good cold flow properties and high cetane numbers, while the addition of aryl ethers from lignin pyrolysis oil broadens the distillation range and improves heat release profile. Each component contributes specific local qualities that collectively resolve the contradiction.
3Adaptability or versatility
If fatty acid esters are mixed with petrodiesel to increase compound diversity, then the heat release profile approaches petrodiesel, but the renewable content is diluted and quality parameters may compromise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by introducing aryl ethers from lignin pyrolysis oil, which have different molecular structures and properties compared to traditional FAMEs. This parameter change allows achieving broader distillation range and improved compound diversity while maintaining high renewable content, as the aryl ethers are also biomass-derived and do not dilute the renewable content like petrodiesel would.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The fuel blend achieves a broader distillation range and improved cold flow properties, enhancing the quality and compatibility with diesel engines while maintaining acceptable cetane numbers and net heat of combustion values.
Implementation Method 1
biomass, such as lignin, which is obtained from the processing of lignocellulosic material can be further refined into a fuel component comprising aryl ethers by suitably reacting the biomass, such as lignin to obtain a pyrolysis oil comprising aryl alcohols that are further converted into a fuel component comprising aryl ethers
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to middle distillate fuel blends, in particular renewable diesel fuel blends comprising a mixture of aryl ethers.