Oligosaccharide Conversion to Saturated Hydrocarbons
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for generating fuel and high-quality hydrocarbons rely on non-renewable petroleum sources, necessitating the development of processes to convert renewable materials like starch and cellulose into useful fuel precursors.
Innovation Solution
A process involving the heating of oligosaccharides under acidic conditions to form a depolymerized mixture, followed by the addition of a dicarbonyl and a metal catalyst, and subsequent hydrogenation with a hydrogenation catalyst to produce saturated hydrocarbons, which can be achieved in a single reaction vessel without isolating intermediate products.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If petroleum extraction and processing methods are used, then high-quality hydrocarbons and fuels can be obtained, but non-renewable resources are depleted and environmental sustainability is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transforms the chemical parameters of renewable materials (starch, cellulose, sugars) through controlled acid hydrolysis and catalytic conversion to produce hydrocarbons with properties matching petroleum-derived fuels. The process changes the chemical state from polysaccharides to depolymerized sugars, then to hydrocarbon intermediates, and finally to saturated hydrocarbon fuels, achieving renewable sustainability without sacrificing fuel quality
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces intermediate compounds (depolymerized oligosaccharide mixtures, hydrocarbon intermediates) as mediators in the conversion process. These intermediates serve as bridges between renewable biomass and final fuel products, enabling the transformation while maintaining control over product quality and composition
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple isolation and purification steps are implemented, then product purity is improved, but process complexity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple conversion steps (hydrolysis, condensation, hydrogenation) into a single integrated reaction system. The acid catalyst and metal catalyst work together in sequence within one process flow, converting biomass to hydrocarbons without requiring separate isolation and purification steps between transformations, thereby reducing equipment complexity while maintaining product purity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention implements continuous conversion where the output of one reaction step immediately becomes the input for the next step. The depolymerized oligosaccharide mixture proceeds directly to hydrocarbon intermediate formation, which then converts to saturated hydrocarbons without interruption or isolation, maintaining continuous useful action throughout the process
3Productivity
If conventional multi-step conversion processes are used, then conversion completeness is improved, but process time and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies preliminary acid hydrolysis to depolymerize the oligosaccharide structure before the main conversion step. This preliminary action breaks down the complex polysaccharide chains into smaller units that are more readily converted to hydrocarbons, accelerating the overall process and improving conversion efficiency without requiring extended reaction times
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces traditional mechanical separation and purification operations with chemical catalysis. The acid and metal catalysts facilitate direct chemical transformation from biomass to hydrocarbons, eliminating the need for time-consuming filtration, distillation, and purification steps that characterize conventional processes
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
This method efficiently converts oligosaccharides into saturated hydrocarbons, providing a renewable source for fuels and chemical feedstocks, offering a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based hydrocarbons.
Implementation Method 1
heating an oligosaccharide under acidic conditions for time sufficient to form a depolymerized oligosaccharide mixture
Implementation Method 2
adding a suitable metal catalyst and a dicarbonyl to the depolymerized oligosaccharide mixture under conditions to yield an intermediate mixture
Implementation Method 3
adding hydrogen and a suitable hydrogenation catalyst to said intermediate mixture under suitable conditions to yield the saturated hydrocarbon
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is directed to the one step selective conversion of starch, cellulose, or glucose to molecules containing 7 to 26 contiguous carbon atoms. The invention is also directed to the conversion of those intermediates to saturated hydrocarbons. Such saturated hydrocarbons are useful as, for example, fuels.