Hydroconversion Diesel Production with Selective CO2 Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for producing diesel boiling range fuel from renewable feedstocks face challenges in efficiently removing sulfur compounds and carbon dioxide from reaction products, which affects the quality and cost-effectiveness of the process.
Innovation Solution
A hydroconversion process involving hydrogenation and deoxygenation of renewable feedstocks, followed by selective separation and recycling of hydrogen and carbon dioxide using amine absorbers and a hot high pressure hydrogen stripper, to produce a diesel product with improved cold flow properties and reduced operational costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional methods are used to remove sulfur compounds and carbon dioxide, then the separation process is simple, but the quality of the diesel product is compromised and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The separation process is divided into multiple distinct units: a hot high pressure hydrogen stripper for sulfur compound removal, and an amine absorber for carbon dioxide removal. Each unit is optimized for its specific function, allowing high-quality separation without requiring a single complex system.
Solution Approach 2:
Amine-based absorption solution serves as an intermediary medium to selectively remove carbon dioxide from the vapor stream. The amine solution facilitates the separation by forming reversible chemical complexes with CO2, enabling high-purity removal without compromising other components.
2Manufacturing precision
If sulfur compounds and carbon dioxide are not effectively removed, then the process is cost-effective, but the diesel product quality is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The hot high pressure hydrogen stripper operates at elevated temperature and pressure conditions to optimize sulfur compound removal. The amine absorber operates at controlled temperature and pressure to maximize carbon dioxide absorption efficiency, with parameters tuned to balance energy consumption and separation effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The process recovers and recycles the amine absorption solution back to the amine absorber after CO2 removal. This recycling strategy reduces operational costs by minimizing make-up amine requirements and maintaining continuous high-efficiency operation without requiring constant replenishment of separation media.
3Productivity
If hydrogen is recycled without selective separation, then the process is simple, but carbon dioxide accumulates and reduces efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The amine absorber selectively extracts carbon dioxide from the vapor stream before hydrogen recycling. The amine-based absorption process removes CO2 while allowing hydrogen to pass through, enabling pure hydrogen recycle that maintains high reaction efficiency and prevents CO2 accumulation in the reaction zone.
4Manufacturing precision
If conventional separation methods are used, then the equipment requirements are minimal, but the cold flow properties of the diesel product are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The separation process is divided into multiple distinct units: a hot high pressure hydrogen stripper for sulfur compound removal, and an amine absorber for carbon dioxide removal. Each unit is optimized for its specific function, allowing high-quality separation without requiring a single complex system.
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 effectively removes sulfur compounds and carbon dioxide, enhancing the quality of the diesel product and reducing costs by optimizing pressure ranges and recycling strategies, thereby improving the overall efficiency and economic viability of diesel production from renewable sources.
Implementation Method 1
The vapor portion is treated using an amine absorber solution to remove at least the carbon dioxide
Implementation Method 2
a selective separation unit such as a hot high pressure hydrogen stripper may be employed to selectively separate the majority of the hydrocarbon liquid portion from the vapor portion
Implementation Method 3
The vapor portion is then cooled to separate any water
Implementation Method 4
hydrogenating and deoxygenating the feedstock at reaction conditions
Implementation Method 5
catalytic reaction zone by hydrogenating and deoxygenating the feedstock
Data Source
AI summary
A process has been developed for producing diesel boiling range fuel from renewable feedstocks such as fats and oils from plants and animals where the process provides for sulfur-component management. The process involves catalytically treating a renewable feedstock by hydrogenating and deoxygenating to provide a hydrocarbon fraction useful as a diesel boiling range fuel. A selective separation such as a hot high pressure hydrogen stripper may be used to remove at least the carbon oxides from the first zone effluent and provide a liquid recycle stream at pressure and temperature. A vapor stream is separated from the net process effluent and at least carbon dioxide is removed using at least one selective or flexible amine absorber. The resulting hydrogen-rich stream is recycled to the reaction zone.