Renewable Aviation Kerosene Production via FCC Bioaromatic Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for producing aviation kerosene with renewable content face challenges in meeting ASTM standards due to high freezing points and limited renewable content, primarily due to the formation of n-paraffins during co-processing in hydrotreatment units, which restricts the incorporation of bio-based streams.
Innovation Solution
A process involving the conversion of triglycerides and fatty acids into a bioaromatic stream rich in aromatic compounds through fluid catalytic cracking, followed by co-processing with fossil kerosene in hydrotreatment units, allowing for up to 10% renewable content without affecting the freezing point of the final product.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If co-processing of triglycerides and fatty acids is performed in hydrotreatment units, then renewable content is incorporated, but freezing point increases above specification limits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing fluid catalytic cracking of triglycerides and fatty acids before hydrotreatment to convert them into aromatic compounds with suitable freezing points. This pre-conversion ensures that the renewable stream incorporated into kerosene does not raise the freezing point above specification limits, thereby resolving the contradiction between incorporating renewable content and maintaining acceptable freezing point.
2Quantity of substance
If HEFA route is used to produce biokerosene, then renewable content is increased, but n-paraffin formation limits further incorporation due to high freezing point
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by altering the chemical structure of renewable compounds through fluid catalytic cracking, transforming triglycerides and fatty acids into aromatic compounds rather than n-paraffins. This fundamental change in molecular structure results in products with freezing points suitable for aviation kerosene specifications, enabling higher renewable content incorporation without the freezing point limitation that constrains the conventional HEFA route.
3Temperature
If fluid catalytic cracking is used to convert renewable stream, then aromatic compounds are produced with suitable freezing point, but additional processing steps are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by utilizing the fluid catalytic cracking unit, which is already present in petroleum refineries for processing fossil feedstocks, to also process renewable triglycerides and fatty acids. This multi-functional use of existing infrastructure produces aromatic compounds with suitable freezing points for aviation kerosene without requiring completely new processing equipment, thereby reducing the net increase in device complexity while achieving the desired freezing point control.
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 achieves compliance with ASTM D1655 standards for aviation kerosene, enabling higher renewable content incorporation while maintaining the freezing point below -40°C, and increases yields of biokerosene and bionaphtha, with improved combustion properties.
Implementation Method 1
conversion of triglycerides and fatty acids into a bioaromatic stream rich in aromatic compounds through fluid catalytic cracking
Implementation Method 2
co-processing with fossil kerosene in hydrotreatment units
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention refers to the processing of a 100% renewable load in FCC units, wherein the load comprises triglycerides of vegetable and animal source, free fatty acids, fatty acid esters, ketones, alcohols and long-chain aldehydes, using catalyst and appropriate operating conditions in order to obtain 100% renewable products with a high content of aromatic compounds, in the range of naphtha, kerosene, diesel and heavy gas oil. The product thus obtained complies with all the properties of the ASTM D1655 standard, even for contents of up to 10% renewable content. In addition, there is no need to reduce the freezing point of the fossil QAV for the introduction of the renewable component, with no impact on the yield and economy of the process.