Biorenewable Kerosene From Hydrotreating Without Hydroisomerization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for producing synthetic paraffinic kerosene from biorenewable feedstocks involve costly hydroisomerization steps that require catalysts prone to deactivation by byproducts, leading to aromatic formation and health concerns, especially in charcoal lighter fluids.
Innovation Solution
A composition comprising at least 98 wt% C7-C12 n-paraffins, with minimal aromatics and oxygenates, produced through hydrotreating biorenewable feedstocks like palm kernel oil, coconut oil, and algal oil, without hydroisomerization, achieving a eutectic melting point and low aromatic content.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If hydroisomerization is used to produce synthetic paraffinic kerosene from biorenewable feedstocks, then the fuel can be produced, but catalyst deactivation occurs and aromatic formation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the hydroisomerization step from the conventional production process. By removing this problematic step, the invention avoids catalyst deactivation and aromatic formation while still achieving the desired paraffinic kerosene product through alternative hydrotreating and fractionation processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of catalyst deactivation and aromatic formation into a benefit by using a different chemical pathway. Instead of relying on hydroisomerization that causes these problems, the invention uses hydrotreating followed by fractionation to achieve the same product without the harmful byproducts.
2Ease of manufacture
If hydroisomerization is used to produce synthetic paraffinic kerosene, then the fuel can be produced, but aromatic content increases causing health concerns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the hydroisomerization step that is responsible for aromatic formation. By eliminating this step and using alternative hydrotreating and fractionation processes, the invention produces paraffinic kerosene with minimal aromatic content, thereby eliminating the health concerns associated with aromatics.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional hydrotreating is used without hydroisomerization, then production costs decrease, but low-temperature performance may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the process parameters by eliminating hydroisomerization and using alternative hydrotreating conditions. By adjusting these parameters and using fractionation to separate the product, the invention achieves both cost reduction and acceptable low-temperature performance through optimized process conditions.
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 composition is suitable for various fuels and charcoal lighter fluids, offering improved low-temperature performance, reduced health risks, and lower production costs by avoiding costly hydroisomerization and aromatic formation.
Implementation Method 1
The composition may be produced by a process that includes hydrotreating a biorenewable feedstock
Data Source
AI summary
The present technology provides compositions that include at least about 98 weight percent ("wt%") n-paraffins which, among other surprising features, may be suitable for use as a diesel fuel, an aviation fuel, a jet fuel blendstock, a blendstock to reduce the cloud point of a diesel fuel, a fuel for portable heaters, and/or as a charcoal lighter fluid. The composition includes at least about 98 wt% C7-C12 n-paraffins, where at least about 10 wt% of composition includes n-decane, at least about 20 wt% of the composition includes n-dodecane, and at least about 75 wt% of the composition includes even carbon number paraffins. The composition also includes less about 0.1 wt% oxygenates and less than about 0.1 wt % aromatics. The composition may be produced by a process that includes hydrotreating a biorenewable feedstock comprising at least one of palm kernel oil, coconut oil, babassu oil, microbial oil, or algal oil.