Co-processing Renewable Distillate and Mineral Feedstocks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for incorporating renewable fuel content into jet fuels face challenges in achieving optimal cold flow properties, energy density, and aromatics content, while also requiring additional certification and complex processing steps.
Innovation Solution
A method of co-processing renewable distillate and mineral feedstocks to form jet and diesel boiling range fractions, involving blending and fractionation to achieve specific properties such as improved cold flow, energy density, and aromatics content, with optional further processing like hydroprocessing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If renewable fuel content is incorporated into jet fuels using conventional methods, then renewable fuel content is increased, but cold flow properties deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting the boiling range distribution of the renewable distillate feedstock, specifically requiring 10 wt% or more of components boiling at 285°C or lower. This parameter modification enables the renewable components to achieve compatible cold flow properties while maintaining high renewable content in the jet fuel product.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite feedstock system by blending renewable distillate with mineral feedstocks in specific weight ratios (0.01 to 5.0). This composite approach allows the favorable properties of renewable components (sustainability) to be combined with the superior cold flow characteristics of mineral components, resolving the contradiction between renewable content and cold flow performance.
2Quantity of substance
If renewable distillate with high boiling point components is used, then renewable fuel content is increased, but energy density deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the boiling point distribution parameter of the renewable distillate feedstock by specifying that at least 10 wt% of components must boil at 285°C or lower. This parameter control ensures that the renewable portion contributes adequate energy density while maintaining high renewable content, preventing the energy density deterioration that would result from using only high boiling point components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating distinct boiling range fractions within the renewable distillate feedstock. The lighter fraction (boiling at 285°C or lower) provides energy density, while the heavier fraction contributes to renewable content. This local differentiation of quality within the feedstock allows simultaneous optimization of both renewable content and energy density in the final jet fuel product.
3Quantity of substance
If complex processing steps are used to incorporate renewable fuel, then renewable fuel content is increased, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-selecting renewable distillate feedstock with specific boiling range characteristics (10 wt% or more of components boiling at 285°C or lower) before blending. This preliminary characterization and selection of feedstock properties simplifies the subsequent processing steps, as the feedstock is already optimized for jet fuel production, reducing the need for complex downstream separation and purification operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal processing approach by using a standardized blending protocol that can handle various renewable distillate feedstocks with different origins but similar boiling range specifications. The method accepts renewable distillate from multiple sources (animal fats, vegetable oils, waste oils) and processes them through a common blending and co-processing route, reducing processing complexity through universality rather than requiring source-specific processing pathways.
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 method results in jet and diesel fractions with enhanced cold flow properties, energy density, and aromatics content, reducing processing complexity and certification requirements, while improving the sustainability and performance of jet fuels.
Implementation Method 1
co-processing the combined feed to form at least a jet boiling range composition and a diesel boiling range composition
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for co-processing of renewable distillate fractions with mineral fractions to produce at least a jet (or kerosene) boiling range product and a diesel boiling range product. A combination of a jet boiling range product fraction and a diesel boiling range product fraction with unexpected properties can be formed by first blending i) a distillate boiling range feed fraction containing a renewable distillate component with ii) a mineral feed fraction (possibly corresponding to a whole or partial crude oil) that includes diesel boiling range compounds to form a blended composition. The blended composition can then be fractionated to form a jet boiling range product fraction and a diesel boiling range product fraction. Optionally, the resulting jet boiling range product fraction and/or diesel boiling range product fraction can be exposed to further processing, such as hydroprocessing or catalytic cracking.