Renewable Diesel Cold Flow Control via Isomerization and Hydrocracking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for producing diesel and aviation fuels from renewable feedstocks, such as glycerides and free fatty acids, face challenges in controlling the cloud point and yield, which are crucial for meeting industry and military specifications, and adapting to changing demand patterns.
Innovation Solution
A process involving hydrogenation, deoxygenation, isomerization, and selective hydrocracking of renewable feedstocks, with recycling and fractionation steps to produce diesel and aviation fuel components, allowing for control of cloud point and yield adjustments to meet specific fuel specifications and demand fluctuations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If hydrogenation and deoxygenation are performed on renewable feedstocks, then fuel production is enabled, but cloud point control and yield adjustment become difficult to meet specifications
Solution Approach 1:
The process divides fuel production into distinct functional zones: hydrogenation/deoxygenation zone, isomerization zone, and selective hydrocracking zone. Each zone performs a specific transformation, allowing independent optimization of cloud point control and yield adjustment to meet fuel specifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs multiple catalysts with different functionalities (hydrogenation catalyst, isomerization catalyst, hydrocracking catalyst) and controls process parameters (temperature, pressure, residence time) to achieve precise control over cloud point and yield, enabling meeting of various fuel specifications.
2Reliability
If isomerization and selective hydrocracking are applied, then cold flow properties improve, but process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The process separates isomerization and selective hydrocracking into distinct zones with specific catalysts. The isomerization zone uses isomerization catalyst to improve cold flow properties, while the selective hydrocracking zone uses hydrocracking catalyst to adjust yield and meet specifications, reducing overall process complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The fractionation column serves multiple functions: separating diesel product stream, aviation fuel stream, and recycle stream based on boiling point differences. This multi-functional approach simplifies the overall process by combining separation and product delivery into a single unit.
3Manufacturing precision
If recycle stream is implemented, then yield and cloud point control improve, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The recycle stream provides feedback control by returning a portion of the fractionated product back to the isomerization zone. This allows dynamic adjustment of yield and cloud point by controlling the recycle ratio, enabling precise meeting of fuel specifications without requiring complex additional equipment.
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 process effectively generates fuels with improved cold flow properties and adjustable cloud/freeze points, enabling compliance with various industry standards and flexibility in responding to changing demand patterns for diesel and aviation fuels.
Implementation Method 1
hydrogenating and deoxygenating the renewable feedstock by contacting the feedstock in a hydrogenation and deoxygenation zone with a hydrogenation and deoxygenation catalyst
Implementation Method 2
hydrogenating and deoxygenating the renewable feedstock by contacting the feedstock in a hydrogenation and deoxygenation zone with a hydrogenation and deoxygenation catalyst
Implementation Method 3
isomerizing and selectively hydrocracking at least a portion of the n-paraffins in the hydrogenation and deoxygenation zone effluent by contacting with an isomerization and selective hydrocracking catalyst
Implementation Method 4
isomerizing and selectively hydrocracking at least a portion of the n-paraffins in the hydrogenation and deoxygenation zone effluent by contacting with an isomerization and selective hydrocracking catalyst
Implementation Method 5
selectively separating, in a separation zone, at least a portion of the isomerization and selective hydrocracking zone effluent to provide: a diesel product stream comprising a first portion of the paraffins having boiling points in the diesel boiling point range
Data Source
AI summary
A process for improving cold flow properties of diesel range hydrocarbons produced from renewable feedstocks such as plant oils and animal oils. A renewable feedstock is treated by hydrogenating and deoxygenating to provide an effluent comprising paraffins followed by isomerizing and selectively hydrocracking at least a portion of the paraffins to generate a diesel range hydrocarbon product. A portion of the diesel range hydrocarbon product is selectively separated and recycled to the isomerization and selective hydrocracking zone.