Biomass Polyoxygenate Conversion to C8+ Fuels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for producing liquid biofuels from biomass are inefficient and expensive, particularly for jet, diesel, and heavy fuel oil applications, as they often fail to utilize the carbohydrate material in plant biomass effectively and require energy-intensive processes.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a reactant stream with specific oxygen-to-carbon ratios, catalytically reacting with hydrogen in the presence of an acid condensation catalyst to produce C8+ compounds, which can be further processed into jet, diesel, or heavy oil fuels, using heterogeneous catalysts like Pd, Pt, or Cu supported on materials such as ZSM-5 or tungstated zirconia.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional biomass conversion methods are used to produce liquid biofuels, then fuel production is achieved, but the process is energy-intensive and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the reactant stream by controlling the oxygen-to-carbon ratio within a specific range (0.05 to 0.5). This parameter optimization enables more efficient conversion of biomass-derived oxygenates to hydrocarbons, reducing energy intensity while improving fuel production efficiency through catalytic reactions that operate under optimized compositional conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite catalytic systems combining metal catalysts (Pd, Pt, Cu) supported on acidic supports (ZSM-5, tungstated zirconia). This composite catalyst structure synergistically combines the functions of deoxygenation, condensation, and hydrocarbon formation, enabling the process to overcome the energy intensity and efficiency limitations of conventional single-catalyst approaches
2Ease of manufacture
If current biomass conversion technologies are applied, then liquid biofuels are produced, but the cost is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the oxygen-to-carbon ratio parameter of the reactant stream to fall within 0.05 to 0.5, which maximizes the yield of C8+ hydrocarbon compounds. This parameter control reduces manufacturing cost by improving the efficiency of biomass utilization and reducing waste, while simultaneously increasing productivity through enhanced selectivity toward desired fuel-range hydrocarbons
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses biomass-derived oxygenates as intermediary compounds that serve as feedstock for the catalytic conversion process. These intermediaries with controlled oxygen-to-carbon ratios act as optimal substrates for the condensation catalysts, enabling cost-effective production of high-value C8+ hydrocarbons while improving overall process productivity
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 increases the yield of C8+ compounds, enabling the production of high-demand fuels with improved efficiency and cost-effectiveness, addressing the inefficiencies and high costs of existing biomass conversion technologies.
Implementation Method 1
catalytically reacting the reactant stream with hydrogen in the presence of an acid condensation catalyst
Implementation Method 2
acid condensation catalyst to produce a product stream comprising water and a plurality of C8+ compounds
Implementation Method 3
using heterogeneous catalysts like Pd, Pt, or Cu supported on materials such as ZSM-5 or tungstated zirconia
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides methods, reactor systems and catalysts for converting biomass and biomass-derived feedstocks to C8+ hydrocarbons using heterogenous catalysts. The product stream may be separated and further processed for use in chemical applications, or as a neat fuel or a blending component in jet fuel and diesel fuel, or as heavy oils for lubricant and/or fuel oil applications.