Co-processing Lignocellulosic Biomass and Heavy Petroleum Fuels
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Solution Overview
Problem
The cost of producing transportation fuels from lignocellulosic biomass is not competitive with petroleum-based fuels due to the complexity and high expenses associated with current conversion processes, necessitating a more efficient method to convert biomass into biofuels that reduces capital and operating costs.
Innovation Solution
A co-processing method that converts lignocellulosic biomass and heavy petroleum fuels using a metal oxide catalyst under mild conditions, generating biohydrocarbons that can be blended with existing petrochemical infrastructure, without the need for extra hydrogen or complex separation steps, and upgrades heavy petroleum oils into gasoline and diesel fractions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If current conversion processes are used to convert biomass to liquid fuels, then biofuels can be produced, but production costs are high and process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines biomass conversion and petroleum upgrading into a single co-processing operation in one reactor. The biomass feedstock is mixed with heavy petroleum fractions and processed simultaneously over a catalyst to produce hydrocarbon fuels, eliminating the need for separate conversion trains and reducing overall process complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The co-processing unit performs multiple functions simultaneously: it converts biomass to liquid hydrocarbons, upgrades heavy petroleum fractions to lighter products, and produces gasoline and diesel range fuels in one operation, making the process highly versatile and efficient
2Quantity of substance
If current conversion processes are used to convert biomass to liquid fuels, then biofuels can be produced, but capital and operating expenses increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging biomass conversion with petroleum upgrading in a single co-processing operation, the patent eliminates duplicate equipment and infrastructure, reducing capital expenses. The simultaneous production of multiple fuel products also improves operating efficiency and reduces per-unit production costs
Solution Approach 2:
The process uses the biomass-derived liquids to facilitate the upgrading of heavy petroleum fractions, and the petroleum-derived hydrocarbons serve as carriers and reactants for biomass conversion. This mutual utilization reduces the need for additional process inputs and minimizes operating expenses
3Quantity of substance
If pyrolysis is used to convert biomass, then liquid yield can reach 50-70%, but the liquid oil contains high oxygen content and low heating value requiring further upgrading
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines pyrolysis with catalytic upgrading in an integrated co-processing system. The biomass-derived oxygenated liquids are immediately subjected to catalytic treatment with petroleum fractions, removing oxygen and improving heating value in one continuous operation, thus achieving both high liquid yield and high fuel quality
4Ease of operation
If direct liquefaction is used to convert biomass, then wet biomass can be converted, but liquid fuel yield is relatively low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges direct liquefaction with catalytic cracking and upgrading in a unified co-processing operation. The wet biomass is liquefied and simultaneously cracked over catalyst to produce higher yields of liquid hydrocarbon fuels, achieving both operational flexibility and high product yield
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 method reduces production costs by producing biohydrocarbons that are chemically similar to petroleum-derived fuels, allowing for blending and distribution through existing infrastructure, while upgrading heavy petroleum oils into high-value gasoline and diesel fractions, thus enhancing the economic viability of biomass-based fuels.
Implementation Method 1
converting biomass to liquid biohydrocarbon fuels and for upgrading heavy deteriorate petrol-oils to high value transportation fuels
Implementation Method 2
adiabatically erupting bubbles accompanied by high temperature and pressure are produced, and wherein in-situ hydrogen is generated, and wherein lignocellulosic biomass depolymerizes
Implementation Method 3
large hydrocarbon molecules are cracked into smaller hydrocarbon molecules
Implementation Method 4
distilling the gaseous products in the distillation unit to separate and withdraw gasoline and diesel products
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is an economically viable co-process for converting biomass to liquid biohydrocarbon fuels and for upgrading heavy deteriorate petrol-oils to high value transportation fuels. In the process, cellulose, hemi-cellulose and lignin, which are composed of ligno-cellulosic biomass, are converted to the bio-hydrocarbons (alkanes and aromatics) that are currently derived almost exclusively from fossil fuels. The resulted hydrocarbon liquid can be separated against their boiling points for gasoline, diesel and heavy oils. The heavy oils can then cracked into lower molecular weight hydrocarbons. Meanwhile, the co-processed heavy petro-fuels are partially converted into lower molecular weight hydrocarbons that fall in the boiling point range of gasoline and diesel.