Renewable Hydrocarbon Lighter Fluid via Hydroprocessing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current charcoal lighter fluids based on petroleum distillates have high greenhouse gas emissions, contain aromatic hydrocarbons and sulfur species, and have lower energy density compared to hydrocarbons, necessitating a low carbon intensity, aromatic-free hydrocarbon alternative that matches or exceeds petroleum distillate performance.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the hydrotreating and hydrocracking of renewable feedstocks like fatty acids and glycerides to produce a hydrocarbon composition with a narrow cut of C9-C10 n-paraffins and iso-paraffins, which is then fractionated to create a charcoal lighter fluid with reduced sulfur and nitrogen content, lower emissions, and improved energy density.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If petroleum distillates are used as lighter fluid, then ignition performance is achieved, but greenhouse gas emissions increase and aromatic hydrocarbons contaminate food
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by using hydroprocessed renewable oil (HRO) instead of petroleum distillates, achieving aromatic-free lighter fluid with lower carbon intensity. The HRO process transforms renewable oils through hydroprocessing to remove oxygen and create paraffinic hydrocarbons that burn cleaner with minimal aromatic emissions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs ethanol as a sacrificial accelerant that burns off quickly during ignition, enabling the HRO lighter fluid to ignite effectively without requiring the HRO itself to be highly flammable. This allows the main fuel component to remain environmentally friendly while still achieving ignition performance.
2Ease of operation
If light alcohols like ethanol are used to improve ignition, then flammability increases, but energy density decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two components with complementary properties: HRO provides high energy density and clean burning characteristics, while ethanol provides easy ignition. The combination achieves both high flammability for easy lighting and high energy density for sustained burning, with the ethanol serving as an ignition booster that burns off quickly.
Solution Approach 2:
Ethanol is used as a temporary ignition aid that burns off quickly during the initial lighting phase, allowing the higher energy density HRO component to take over for sustained burning. This sacrificial use of ethanol enables ignition without permanently compromising the energy density of the main fuel.
3Reliability
If petroleum distillates are used, then lighter fluid functionality is achieved, but sulfur species affect food quality and safety
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition by using HRO which undergoes hydroprocessing to remove sulfur and other contaminants. The resulting lighter fluid maintains reliable ignition performance while achieving sulfur-free status that prevents contamination of grilled food, directly addressing both performance and safety requirements.
4Loss of energy
If renewable feedstocks are converted to hydrocarbons, then carbon intensity decreases, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses HRO as an intermediary product that bridges renewable oils and final lighter fluid application. The hydroprocessing step creates a versatile intermediate that can be used directly as lighter fluid or further processed, simplifying the overall pathway from renewable feedstock to final product while achieving low carbon intensity.
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 resulting hydrocarbon lighter fluid has a lower carbon intensity, reduced volatile organic compounds, and superior performance as a charcoal lighter fluid, achieving complete ash coverage with lower emissions and matching the energy density of petroleum distillates.
Implementation Method 1
hydrotreating and hydrocracking of renewable feedstocks like fatty acids and glycerides to produce a hydrocarbon composition
Implementation Method 2
The composition is prepared using a single hydroprocessing step wherein lipid fatty acid chains undergo hydrodeoxygenation to mostly (at least 75 wt %) even carbon number paraffins
Implementation Method 3
hydrocracking of the heavy fraction to produce a distribution of hydrocarbon components
Implementation Method 4
hydrocracking of the heavy fraction to produce a distribution of hydrocarbon components, typically C3-C18
Implementation Method 5
which is fractionated to recover the lighter fluid product
Implementation Method 6
The hydrocracked hydrocarbons are then fractionated to yield a narrow hydrocarbon cut
Data Source
AI summary
The present technology relates to hydrocarbon fluids, and more particularly, a hydrocarbon lighter fluid derived from renewable sources. Specifically, renewable fatty acids/glycerides are converted to a charcoal lighter fluid with the same or better performance than a petroleum middle distillate derived charcoal lighter fluid.