Esterification of Thermochemical Oil for Refinery Co-Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pyrolysis oils obtained from biomass are poorly miscible with fossil petroleum distillate fuel feedstocks and lipophilic renewable refinery feedstocks, leading to challenges in co-processing in oil refinery systems, including coking and plugging issues due to their chemical composition.
Innovation Solution
Esterification of thermochemical oils with compounds having a hydroxyl group and those having an acyl group, such as alcohols and fatty acids, to form esters that enhance lipophilicity and improve miscibility with fossil and renewable feedstocks, allowing for successful hydrotreatment and hydrocracking in standard refinery reactors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If pyrolysis oil is co-fed with fossil petroleum distillate fuel feedstocks in standard hydrotreatment/hydrocracking reactors, then transport fuels with lowered carbon footprint can be manufactured, but the poor miscibility between pyrolysis oil and feedstocks leads to coking and plugging of reactor systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing esterification of pyrolysis oil with fatty acids or triglycerides before co-feeding into the hydrotreatment reactor. This pre-treatment modifies the chemical composition of pyrolysis oil to improve miscibility with fossil feedstocks, preventing coking and plugging issues during subsequent reactor operation. The esterification step is conducted in advance to prepare the feedstock for successful co-processing.
2Loss of substance
If pyrolysis oil is hydrodeoxygenated in separate catalytic hydrogenation steps before co-feeding, then oxygen content is reduced, but coking and plugging of reactor systems still occur due to the chemical composition obtained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the chemical structure of pyrolysis oil through esterification with fatty acids or triglycerides, transforming hydroxyl groups into ester groups. This chemical transformation changes the polarity and miscibility characteristics of the pyrolysis oil, enabling better compatibility with fossil feedstocks and preventing coking issues during hydrotreatment, while still allowing for subsequent oxygen removal.
3Productivity
If pyrolysis oil is mixed with fossil fuel feedstocks, then co-processing can proceed, but precipitation of feed components during pumping occurs due to poor miscibility, which may clog pipes of continuous flow reactor equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by chemically modifying pyrolysis oil through esterification, which alters its polarity and solubility characteristics. This transformation improves the miscibility parameter of the feedstock, preventing precipitation during pumping and handling operations while maintaining co-processing capability with fossil fuel feedstocks in continuous flow reactor equipment.
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 process results in an oil derivative with increased lipophilicity, enabling successful co-processing with fossil and renewable feedstocks, reducing coking and plugging issues, and producing suitable transport fuels without the need for additional processing steps.
Implementation Method 1
reacting the compound having a hydroxyl group with the compound having an acyl group, thereby forming an ester between said compounds
Data Source
AI summary
A process for obtaining an oil derivative. The process comprises the following steps: providing a thermochemical oil comprising a compound having a hydroxyl group, wherein the thermochemical oil is crude or refined oil resulting from thermochemical conversion of organic material; additionally providing a compound having an acyl group by feeding the compound having an acyl group, or a carboxylic acid or an ester as starting material for conversion to the compound having an acyl group, to the thermochemical oil; and reacting the compound having a hydroxyl group with the compound having an acyl group, thereby forming an ester between said compounds. A process for obtaining an intermediate composition, the process comprising blending the oil derivative with a refinery feedstock. An oil derivative or an intermediate composition. A process for obtaining a fuel component, the process comprising hydrotreating or hydrocracking the oil derivative or intermediate composition. A process for obtaining a fuel composition, the process comprising blending the fuel component with another component of a refinery fuel component pool. A fuel component or a fuel composition.