Reformer Feed Nitrogen Removal for Recycled Pyrolysis Oil

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional production routes for aromatic chemicals like para-xylene rely on fossil fuel-derived feeds, and the presence of nitrogen in recycled pyrolysis oil can poison reformer catalysts, necessitating a process to remove nitrogen from reformer feedstock.

Innovation Solution

A method involving pyrolyzing waste plastic to produce pyrolysis oil, optionally hydrotreating, and then removing nitrogen in a nitrogen removal unit to create a nitrogen-depleted stream, which is further processed to produce high-purity para-xylene and other aromatics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If pyrolysis oil from waste plastic is used in the reformer feedstock, then sustainable production of aromatics is achieved, but nitrogen content poisons the reformer catalyst

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesustainable productionVSAvoidcatalyst performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by removing nitrogen from the pyrolysis oil stream before it enters the reformer. A nitrogen removal unit is positioned upstream of the reformer to eliminate harmful nitrogen compounds in advance, preventing catalyst poisoning while allowing the beneficial sustainable production aspect to proceed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the harmful nitrogen component from the pyrolysis oil feedstock through a dedicated nitrogen removal unit. This extraction process separates and removes nitrogen-containing compounds from the hydrocarbon stream, allowing the clean hydrocarbons to proceed to the reformer without catalyst poisoning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If nitrogen removal is performed on pyrolysis oil, then catalyst poisoning is prevented, but additional process steps and equipment are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecatalyst protectionVSAvoidprocess complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The nitrogen removal unit is designed to handle variable feedstock conditions and can process different compositions of pyrolysis oil. The unit serves multiple functions: removing nitrogen compounds, maintaining catalyst performance, and ensuring consistent reformer operation. This multi-functionality justifies the added process complexity by providing comprehensive protection across different operating scenarios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If conventional fossil fuel feeds are used, then stable production is achieved, but sustainability is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction stabilityVSAvoidsustainability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the fundamental parameter of feedstock origin from conventional fossil fuels to recycled pyrolysis oil derived from waste plastic. By transforming the feedstock source parameter while managing the nitrogen content through removal processes, the system achieves both sustainability and production stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 enables the production of high-purity para-xylene and other aromatics from recycled content, utilizing existing equipment and facilities, while avoiding catalyst poisoning and promoting sustainable production.

Implementation Method 1

removing nitrogen from a recycled content pyrolysis oil (r-pyoil) stream in a nitrogen removal unit to thereby provide a nitrogen-depleted product stream

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNitrogen removal:

Implementation Method 2

reforming at least a portion of the nitrogen-depleted product stream in a reformer unit to thereby provide an aromatics-containing stream

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCatalytic reforming: Catalysis

Implementation Method 3

processing at least a portion of the aromatics-containing stream in an aromatics complex to produce a recycled content para-xylene (r-pX) product stream comprising at least 85 weight percent of para-xylene

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAromatics separation: Distillation

Implementation Method 4

pyrolyzing waste plastic to produce a recycled content pyrolysis oil (r-pyoil) stream

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPyrolysis: Pyrolysis

Data Source

PatentUS20260028537A1Nitrogen removal from reformer feedstock comprising recycled content

Publication Date: 2026.01.29 EASTMAN CHEM CO

AI summary

Processes and facilities for producing a recycled content organic chemical compound directly or indirectly from waste plastic. Processing schemes are described herein for converting waste plastic (or hydrocarbon having recycled content derived from waste plastic) into useful intermediate chemicals and final products. The processing schemes may comprise a process for removing nitrogen from a feedstock for catalytic reforming. In some aspects, recycled content aromatics (r-aromatics) can be processed to provide recycled content paraxylene (r-paraxylene). which can then be used to provide recycled content terephthalic acid (r-TPA) and/or recycled content polyethylene terephthalate (r-PET).