Co-processing Solid Biomass in Petroleum Refining Units
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for producing fuels and specialty chemicals from biomass face challenges such as high costs, low conversion efficiency, and incompatibility with conventional petroleum-based processes, which limits the widespread adoption and implementation of biomass utilization.
Innovation Solution
The technology involves preparing solid biomass particles by reducing their size through agitation and combining them with catalysts to create a biomass-catalyst mixture, which can be processed in conventional petroleum refining units, allowing for co-processing with conventional petroleum feedstocks to produce fuels and specialty chemicals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If specialized conversion processes and refineries are used for biomass, then conversion efficiency improves, but equipment cost and capital investment increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables conventional petroleum refining units to process both petroleum feedstocks and biomass feedstocks simultaneously or alternatively. The existing FCC unit, hydrocracker, or hydroprocessor can handle mixed feedstocks without requiring specialized biomass-only equipment, thus achieving multi-functionality of the refining units.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines biomass feedstock processing with conventional petroleum refining processes in the same equipment. The biomass-catalyst mixture is introduced into existing refinery units alongside petroleum feedstocks, merging two different feedstock streams into a single processing system to achieve economies of scale and reduce capital costs.
2Device complexity
If conventional petroleum refining units are used for biomass processing, then equipment cost decreases, but conversion efficiency and product selectivity worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies operating parameters of conventional refining units to accommodate biomass processing. This includes adjusting temperature, pressure, catalyst type, and feedstock ratios to optimize conversion of biomass while maintaining compatibility with petroleum feedstocks in the same unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a catalyst as an intermediary substance that facilitates the conversion of biomass in conventional refining units. The catalyst enables the chemical transformation of biomass components into desirable fuel products under the operating conditions of existing petroleum refining equipment.
3Productivity
If extreme conditions (high temperature and pressure) are applied to biomass conversion, then conversion efficiency improves, but energy cost and operating cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes operating parameters to achieve effective biomass conversion at moderate temperatures and pressures rather than extreme conditions. By adjusting catalyst selection, feedstock preparation, and reaction conditions, the process achieves good conversion efficiency without requiring excessive energy input.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces extreme thermal and mechanical conditions with catalytic action to achieve biomass conversion. Instead of relying solely on high temperature and pressure to drive reactions, the use of catalysts enables conversion at milder conditions, reducing energy costs while maintaining productivity.
4Productivity
If refined biomass feedstock is used for fuel production, then conversion efficiency improves, but food sources are diverted causing financial and ethical issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the feedstock parameter from refined biomass (which may come from food crops) to crude or minimally processed biomass such as agricultural residues, forestry waste, and other non-food biomass materials. This parameter change maintains conversion efficiency while eliminating the harmful effect of diverting food sources.
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
This approach reduces equipment and energy costs, increases conversion efficiency, and facilitates the production of fuels and chemicals from biomass in existing refinery units, making biomass-derived products more viable and widely available.
Implementation Method 1
agitating solid biomass particles by flowing a gas to provide a velocity to at least a portion of the solid biomass particles sufficient to reduce their sizes
Implementation Method 2
providing a biomass-catalyst mixture including the solid biomass particles and a catalyst to a conventional refinery unit
Data Source
AI summary
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.