Renewable Naphtha Cracking for Olefin Yield
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current thermal cracking processes struggle to maximize yields of light olefins while minimizing the formation of aromatics, particularly benzene, when processing biogenic materials.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the use of a renewable stabilized naphtha-range hydrocarbon feed, which is produced through hydrotreatment and fractionation of oxygenate bio-renewable feeds, and then thermally cracked in a furnace followed by separation to obtain a light olefins fraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If direct cracking of biogenic feed with high oxygen content is performed, then the process can be simplified, but the yield of light olefins decreases and formation of aromatics increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing hydrotreatment and fractionation on biogenic feed before thermal cracking. This pre-processing removes oxygen and stabilizes the feed, creating an optimized input material that enables high light olefin yields during subsequent cracking while preventing excessive aromatic formation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the feed by removing oxygen through hydrotreatment and controlling the hydrocarbon distribution through fractionation. This parameter transformation converts complex biogenic material into a stabilized naphtha-range feed with optimal properties for thermal cracking, resolving the contradiction between process simplicity and product yield.
2Productivity
If thermal cracking conditions are optimized for maximum light olefin yield, then light olefin production increases, but aromatic formation also increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the root cause of excessive aromatic formation by pre-processing the feed to eliminate oxygen and stabilize the hydrocarbon composition. This preliminary action allows the cracking process to operate at optimal conditions for light olefin production without the side effect of excessive aromatic formation that would occur with raw biogenic feed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the feed composition parameters to achieve a narrow naphtha-range hydrocarbon distribution with controlled paraffin, olefin, and naphthene content. This parameter optimization enables the cracking process to maximize light olefin yield while suppressing aromatic formation, as the stabilized feed composition prevents unwanted side reactions.
3Quantity of substance
If biogenic feed with high oxygen content is used directly, then renewable material utilization is maximized, but process efficiency and product quality decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the chemical parameters of biogenic feed by removing oxygen through hydrotreatment and controlling molecular weight distribution through fractionation. This creates a stabilized naphtha-range hydrocarbon feed that maintains the renewable origin while achieving the composition characteristics necessary for efficient thermal cracking and high-quality product output.
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 effectively enhances the yield of light olefins such as ethylene and propylene while suppressing the formation of aromatics, thereby improving the efficiency and sustainability of the thermal cracking process.
Implementation Method 1
a step of thermally cracking the renewable stabilized naphtha-range hydrocarbon feed in a thermal cracking furnace
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to thermal cracking a renewable stabilized naphtha-range hydrocarbon feed and a cracking effluent. A method includes providing a renewable stabilized naphtha-range hydrocarbon feed; thermally cracking the renewable stabilized naphtha-range hydrocarbon feed in a thermal cracking furnace, optionally together with co-feed(s) and/or additive(s); and subjecting the effluent of the thermal cracking furnace to a separation treatment to provide at least a light olefin(s) fraction.