Lignocellulosic Depolymerization Using Aromatic Diluent

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Solution Overview

Problem

Converting lignocellulosic material into an aromatic hydrocarbon-rich product for biofuel and chemical constituents is hindered by the need for expensive and time-consuming deoxygenation processes in existing methods.

Innovation Solution

Combining lignocellulosic material with an aromatic hydrocarbon-rich diluent and reacting it with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst to form an aromatic hydrocarbon-rich effluent, facilitating depolymerization and deoxygenation while limiting coke formation and re-polymerization reactions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If conventional pyrolysis methods are used to convert lignocellulosic material into biofuel, then the process produces biomass-derived pyrolysis oil, but additional expensive and time-consuming deoxygenation operations are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvearomatic hydrocarbon contentVSAvoidnumber of processing steps

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines pyrolysis and deoxygenation operations into a single integrated process. By using an aromatic hydrocarbon-rich diluent as both solvent and reactant during catalytic depolymerization, the method achieves simultaneous breakdown of lignocellulosic material and removal of oxygen, eliminating the need for separate deoxygenation steps and reducing overall process complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The aromatic hydrocarbon-rich diluent serves as an intermediary substance that facilitates both depolymerization and deoxygenation. It acts as a medium for heat transfer, a reactant for hydrogenation reactions, and a solvent for reaction products, enabling the integrated process to achieve high aromatic hydrocarbon content without requiring multiple processing units

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If conventional pyrolysis methods are used to convert lignocellulosic material into biofuel, then the process produces biomass-derived pyrolysis oil, but additional time-consuming deoxygenation operations are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction rateVSAvoidtotal processing time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The method performs deoxygenation during the initial depolymerization stage rather than as a subsequent step. By incorporating oxygen removal reactions into the primary conversion process through catalytic hydrogenation, the system eliminates idle time between operations and achieves faster overall production rates

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Quantity of substance

If conventional methods are used, then deoxygenation can be achieved, but expensive additional operations are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvearomatic hydrocarbon contentVSAvoidprocessing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The aromatic hydrocarbon-rich diluent performs multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a solvent for reaction components, a heat transfer medium, a reactant for hydrogenation, and a source of aromatic hydrocarbons in the final product. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate deoxygenation operations and reduces overall processing costs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the aromatic hydrocarbon-rich diluent to facilitate its own production. The diluent participates in catalytic hydrogenation reactions that generate aromatic hydrocarbons, which are then recovered and reused, creating a self-sustaining cycle that reduces external input requirements and processing costs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

Achieves high conversion rates (>95%) with high selectivity (>85%) towards aromatic hydrocarbons, producing a biofuel and chemical constituent that requires minimal additional processing for deoxygenation.

Implementation Method 1

Hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst is contacted with the slurry at reaction conditions to form the aromatic hydrocarbon-rich effluent

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Implementation Method 2

Hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst is contacted with the slurry at reaction conditions to form the aromatic hydrocarbon-rich effluent

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrogenation: Hydrogenation

Implementation Method 3

Lignocellulosic material when heated to about 300 to about 900° C. in the absence of air forms solid products, liquid products, and gaseous pyrolysis products

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPyrolysis: Pyrolysis

Data Source

PatentUS8754275B2Methods and apparatuses for producing aromatic hydrocarbon-rich effluent from lignocellulosic material

Publication Date: 2014.06.17 UOP LLC

AI summary

Embodiments of methods and apparatuses for producing and aromatic hydrocarbon-rich effluent from a lignocellulosic material are provided herein. The method comprises the step of combining the lignocellulosic material and an aromatic hydrocarbon-rich diluent to form a slurry. Hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst is contacted with the slurry at reaction conditions to form the aromatic hydrocarbon-rich effluent.