Renewable Aviation Fuel Yield via C8-C14 Feedstock Isomerization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current processes for producing aviation fuel from renewable sources face a trade-off between cold-flow properties and the yield of naphtha and light ends, resulting in lower aviation fuel component yield and increased production of naphtha and light ends.
Innovation Solution
Selecting a renewable feedstock rich in fatty acids with 8-14 carbon atoms, hydrogenating and deoxygenating it to produce normal paraffins, and then isomerizing these paraffins to generate a product stream rich in branched paraffins, which improves the yield and cold-flow properties of the aviation fuel while reducing naphtha and light ends.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If higher severity operation is used in the isomerization/cracking reactor to produce aviation fuel from renewable feedstocks, then cold-flow properties are improved, but the yield of aviation fuel decreases and naphtha and light ends increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the carbon chain length parameter of the feedstock from conventional C15-C18 to C8-C14. This parameter change allows the process to achieve good cold-flow properties without requiring high-severity operation, thereby maintaining high aviation fuel yield while meeting cold-flow specifications.
2Temperature
If higher severity operation is used in the isomerization/cracking reactor, then cold-flow properties are improved, but naphtha and light ends production increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the feedstock carbon chain length parameter to C8-C14, which inherently produces better cold-flow properties without requiring high-severity cracking. This reduces unwanted naphtha and light ends formation while achieving the desired cold-flow performance.
3Ease of manufacture
If feedstocks with longer carbon chains (C15-C18) are used, then the process is simpler, but the aviation fuel yield is lower and cold-flow properties are poorer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent selects feedstocks with C8-C14 carbon chain lengths, which are ideal for producing aviation fuel. This parameter optimization achieves high yield and superior cold-flow properties while maintaining process simplicity through standard hydroprocessing and isomerization operations.
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 enhances the yield and cold-flow properties of aviation fuel, achieving higher yields and lower freeze points compared to using feedstocks with longer carbon chains, while maintaining compliance with ASTM D7566 HEFA SPK specifications.
Implementation Method 1
hydrogenating and deoxygenating it to produce normal paraffins
Implementation Method 2
hydrogenating and deoxygenating in a first reaction zone in the presence of hydrogenating and deoxygenating catalyst
Implementation Method 3
isomerizing these paraffins to generate a product stream rich in branched paraffins
Data Source
AI summary
A method of increasing the yield of renewable aviation fuel is described. A renewable feedstock rich in fatty acids having between 8 and 14 carbon atoms is selected, and the selected feedstock is hydrogenated and deoxygenated in a first reaction zone to provide an effluent rich in normal paraffins having between 9 and 15 carbon atoms. The normal paraffins are isomerized in a second reaction zone to isomerize at least a portion of the normal paraffins. The isomerization reaction mixture may be separated into a product stream comprising a product rich in branched paraffins having between 9 and 15 carbon atoms, which has a higher yield than a product stream made using a renewable feedstock rich in fatty acids having more than 15 carbon atoms.