Lipid Feedstock Quality Parameter for Heteroatom Removal Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for treating naturally sourced oils to produce renewable fuels are energy-intensive, generate waste, and struggle to efficiently remove phospholipids and nitrogen compounds, limiting the choice of usable feedstocks due to unpredictable and complex mixtures of oils and greases.
Innovation Solution
A method to determine the ratio of total heteroatom content in hydratable compounds at neutral pH to the total content of that heteroatom, particularly phosphorus or nitrogen, to characterize the quality of a lipid composition and select an appropriate heteroatom removal treatment, using techniques like NMR and mass spectrometry to identify and quantify these compounds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional chemical and physical pretreatment processes are used to remove heteroatoms from naturally sourced oils, then heteroatom removal is achieved, but energy consumption increases and waste is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by determining the quality parameter (ratio of hydratable heteroatoms to total heteroatoms) before selecting the treatment process. This allows optimization of the treatment sequence based on the actual composition, avoiding unnecessary energy-intensive steps for feedstocks that don't require them.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter used to select treatment processes from generic feedstock classification to a specific quality parameter (ratio of hydratable phosphorus/nitrogen to total phosphorus/nitrogen). This enables more precise matching of treatment intensity to actual feedstock characteristics, reducing energy consumption.
2Adaptability or versatility
If complex mixtures of oils and greases are used as feedstocks, then feedstock availability increases, but treatment predictability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by measuring the actual quality parameter of each feedstock batch and using this information to adjust the treatment process selection. This closed-loop approach maintains treatment predictability even with varying feedstock compositions by adapting the process to each specific batch's characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal quality parameter (ratio of hydratable heteroatoms to total heteroatoms) that can be applied to all types of naturally sourced oils and grease mixtures. This single parameter provides a common basis for predicting treatment requirements across diverse feedstocks, enabling reliable process selection regardless of feedstock complexity.
3Reliability
If traditional heteroatom removal treatments are applied without quality assessment, then treatment is performed, but cost efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamics by making the treatment process selection flexible and adaptive rather than fixed. The quality parameter measurement enables dynamic adjustment of the treatment sequence to match actual feedstock requirements, optimizing cost efficiency for each batch while ensuring reliable heteroatom removal.
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
Enables efficient and cost-effective heteroatom removal, allowing the use of a wider range of feedstocks by optimizing treatment processes to achieve target heteroatom content, reducing waste and energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
The method includes a step to determine the total phosphorus content of the composition and a step to identify the phosphorus compounds
Implementation Method 2
using techniques like NMR and mass spectrometry to identify and quantify these compounds
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for determining a parameter representative of the quality of a composition of natural origin, said parameter making it possible to determine the most suitable treatment for the removal of heteroatoms for treating said composition, in particular with a view to the hydrotreatment thereof for producing renewable fuels. The invention also relates to a method for decreasing the heteroatom content of said type of composition, in particular for producing a renewable fuel.