Biorenewable Kerosene Composition Without Hydroisomerization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for producing synthetic paraffinic kerosene from biorenewable feedstocks involve costly hydroisomerization steps and result in aromatic byproducts, which are detrimental to low temperature performance and pose health risks, especially in aviation fuels and charcoal lighter fluids.
Innovation Solution
A composition comprising at least 98 wt% C7-C12 n-paraffins, with minimal oxygenates and aromatics, 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 in the production process, then synthetic paraffinic kerosene can be produced, but aromatic byproducts are formed which deteriorate low temperature performance and pose health risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the hydroisomerization step from the production process, extracting the harmful aromatic byproduct formation mechanism while retaining the useful hydrodeoxygenation function to convert biorenewable feedstocks into synthetic paraffinic kerosene without generating aromatic contaminants
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the process parameters by operating hydrotreating at specific temperature (200-400°C) and pressure (200-4000 psig) conditions with controlled hydrogen-rich treat gas ratios, enabling selective conversion to n-paraffins while preventing aromatic formation that would occur at different process parameters
2Productivity
If conventional hydrotreating is used, then biorenewable feedstocks can be converted to fuel, but the process requires costly hydroisomerization steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the costly hydroisomerization step from the conventional two-step process, achieving direct conversion of biorenewable feedstocks to synthetic paraffinic kerosene through optimized hydrotreating alone, thereby reducing processing costs while maintaining productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the hydrotreating step multi-functional by designing it to simultaneously achieve hydrodeoxygenation, hydrocracking, and direct formation of n-paraffins, replacing what previously required separate hydroisomerization step and reducing overall process complexity and cost
3Productivity
If aromatic byproducts are formed, then fuel production is achieved, but health risks increase especially in aviation fuels and charcoal lighter fluids
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potentially harmful aromatic byproducts into beneficial n-paraffin products by optimizing the hydrotreating process to selectively produce saturated hydrocarbons, thereby eliminating health risks associated with aromatics while maintaining fuel production productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the fuel product by controlling hydrotreating conditions to achieve >98 wt% n-paraffins with <0.1 wt% aromatics, transforming the product from harmful aromatic-containing fuel to clean n-paraffin fuel while maintaining production capability
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 provides a drop-in fuel suitable for aviation and diesel fuels with improved low temperature performance and reduced health risks, while maintaining a low melting point and minimizing 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.