Lignin Hydroprocessing for Biofuels Feedstock
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lignin, a by-product from the papermaking industry, is not directly usable as a refinery feedstock for biofuels due to its solid form, low energy content, and incompatibility with hydrocarbon streams, necessitating a process to convert it into a refinery-compatible hydrocarbon feedstock.
Innovation Solution
Hydroprocessing of lignin to reduce its oxygen content and molecular weight, producing a liquid biofuels feedstock that is compatible with refinery streams and processes, which can be done at either a refinery or paper mill setting, with options for complete or staged hydroprocessing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If lignin is used directly as a refinery feedstock, then it provides a renewable carbon source for biofuels synthesis, but it cannot be handled in conventional refinery systems due to its solid form
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by transforming lignin from a solid state to a liquid state through hydroprocessing. This phase change enables the material to be handled and processed using conventional refinery liquid stream systems, directly resolving the handling difficulty while preserving the renewable carbon feedstock value.
2Quantity of substance
If lignin is used as a refinery feedstock, then it provides a renewable carbon source, but it has low energy content due to its high oxidation state and phenolic characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The hydroprocessing process changes the chemical parameters of lignin by reducing its oxidation state through hydrogenation reactions. This transforms the phenolic characteristics into more reduced hydrocarbon structures, thereby increasing the energy content to levels suitable for refinery fuel synthesis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical property of high oxidation state with a chemical transformation through hydroprocessing. By substituting the oxidized phenolic structure with reduced hydrocarbon structures, the energy content is enhanced while maintaining the renewable carbon source benefit.
3Quantity of substance
If lignin is used as a refinery feedstock, then it provides a renewable carbon source, but it is incompatible with hydrocarbon streams due to its high oxygenation
Solution Approach 1:
The hydroprocessing process changes the compositional parameters of lignin by removing oxygen through hydrodeoxygenation reactions. This reduction in oxygen content transforms the highly oxygenated lignin into a hydrocarbon-compatible liquid that can be integrated with conventional hydrocarbon streams in refinery systems.
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 hydroprocessing of lignin results in a biofuels feedstock with increased energy content and compatibility with typical refinery processes, addressing the challenges of handling and energy content, and enabling its use in biofuels synthesis.
Implementation Method 1
the process of the present invention includes hydroprocessing lignin to generate a hydrocarbon feedstock for biofuels synthesis
Implementation Method 2
As a result of the hydroprocessing of the lignin, the biofuels feedstock has been reduced in oxygen content and average molecular weight relative to the lignin
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses processes for generating a hydrocarbon feedstock for biofuels synthesis from lignin via hydroprocessing. Embodiments of the present invention can occur in a refinery setting or in a paper mill setting. Embodiments of the present invention can utilize the separated lignin or the entire black liquor solution.