Organic Feedstock Purification Before Hydrotreating Catalyst Poisoning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Recycled or renewable organic materials contain high amounts of silicon and phosphorous compounds that act as catalyst poisons, necessitating their removal before hydrotreating to maximize cycle length and profits.

Innovation Solution

A method involving heat treatment at 100 to 450°C followed by filtration and hydrotreating in the presence of a hydrotreating catalyst to remove silicon and phosphorous compounds from the organic material.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If recycled or renewable organic material is directly subjected to hydrotreating, then the process can proceed without preliminary treatment steps, but the catalyst will be poisoned by silicon and phosphorous compounds, reducing cycle length and efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrotreating cycle lengthVSAvoidcatalyst poisoning by silicon and phosphorous compounds

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary acid treatment and/or heat treatment to the recycled or renewable organic material before hydrotreating. This preliminary action removes or reduces silicon and phosphorous compounds that would otherwise poison the catalyst during hydrotreating, thereby extending catalyst cycle length and improving overall productivity without requiring complete removal of all impurities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful effect of acid treatment (which could potentially damage the material) into a beneficial purification step. By carefully controlling the acid treatment conditions, silicon and phosphorous compounds are selectively removed while the organic material is preserved and prepared for efficient hydrotreating, turning a potentially harmful process into a valuable pretreatment step

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Reliability

If silicon and phosphorous compounds are completely removed before hydrotreating, then catalyst poisoning is prevented, but the purification process becomes more complex and costly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecatalyst performanceVSAvoidpurification process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by not attempting complete removal of silicon and phosphorous compounds, but rather reducing them to levels sufficient to prevent catalyst poisoning. The acid treatment and heat treatment are applied for limited durations and at controlled intensities, achieving adequate purification without the complexity and cost of complete removal processes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes parameter changes in temperature and chemical environment to selectively remove impurities. By controlling heat treatment temperature and acid treatment conditions, the process selectively targets silicon and phosphorous compounds for removal while preserving the organic material, achieving reliable catalyst performance through controlled parameter adjustment rather than complex multi-step processes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 effectively reduces silicon and phosphorous content to less than 10% and 30% of their original levels, respectively, preventing catalyst deactivation and enhancing hydrotreater efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

heat treating the recycled or renewable organic material at 100 to 450° C.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal decomposition: Pyrolysis

Implementation Method 2

heat treating the recycled or renewable organic material at 100 to 450° C. and filtering the material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVolatilization: Evaporation

Implementation Method 3

filtering the material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 4

hydrotreating the heat treated recycled or renewable organic material in a presence of a hydrotreating catalyst

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Data Source

PatentUS12577473B2Purification of recycled and renewable organic material

Publication Date: 2026.03.17 NESTE OYJ

AI summary

A method is disclosed of purifying a recycled or renewable organic material, wherein the recycled or renewable organic material contains one or more impurities selected from a group consisting of silicon compounds, phosphorous, Cl and sterols. Exemplary embodiments include (a) providing the recycled or renewable organic material; (c) heat treating the recycled or renewable organic material at 100 to 450° C.; and (f) hydrotreating the heat treated recycled or renewable organic material in a presence of a hydrotreating catalyst; to obtain purified hydrotreated recycled or renewable organic material.