Renewable Surfactant Intermediates from Natural Oils
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for producing renewable detergent intermediates, such as linear alkylbenzene and paraffins, from natural oils face challenges in achieving high purity and efficiency, particularly due to impurities and the need for new production facilities, while existing processes are limited by the ability to incorporate high concentrations of natural oils into conventional petroleum-based systems.
Innovation Solution
A method involving deoxygenation of natural oil streams using Ni/Mo, Co/Mo, or Pd on alumina catalysts under specific temperature and pressure conditions to produce high purity renewable linear paraffins, which can be integrated into existing facilities or used in standalone operations, resulting in purified bio-paraffin streams with minimal impurities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional petroleum-based feedstocks are used to produce surfactant intermediates, then production efficiency and purity are maintained, but environmental sustainability and renewable resource utilization deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the feedstock parameter from conventional petroleum-based materials to natural oils, transforming the production system to use renewable resources while maintaining production of surfactant intermediates like linear alkylbenzene and paraffins
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces deoxygenation as an intermediary process step that removes oxygen-containing impurities from natural oil feedstocks, enabling the use of renewable materials while achieving the purity required for downstream catalytic processes
2Adaptability or versatility
If natural oils are used as feedstock for producing detergent intermediates, then renewable resource utilization improves, but production purity deteriorates due to impurities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes oxygen-containing compounds and other impurities from natural oil feedstocks through deoxygenation processing, isolating the desired hydrocarbon components while eliminating substances that would interfere with subsequent catalytic reactions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs deoxygenation as a preliminary treatment step before downstream processing, removing impurities in advance to protect catalysts and ensure high purity products in subsequent steps
3Adaptability or versatility
If new production facilities are built for renewable surfactants, then renewable resource utilization improves, but capital cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a production process that can be integrated into existing petroleum-based detergent intermediate facilities, allowing the same infrastructure to process both conventional and renewable feedstocks, thereby avoiding the need for entirely new capital investment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the deoxygenation process with existing production workflows, merging renewable feedstock processing capabilities into conventional facilities to achieve cost-effective implementation
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 approach enables the production of high purity renewable detergent intermediates, increasing the efficiency and productivity of surfactant production while minimizing capital expenses and allowing for higher incorporation of natural oils into existing facilities.
Implementation Method 1
reacting the natural oil stream in the presence of a Ni/Mo catalyst or a Co/Mo catalyst
Implementation Method 2
reacting the natural oil stream in the presence of a Ni/Mo catalyst or a Co/Mo catalyst, at a temperature from about 340° C. to about 410° C., at a hydrogen pressure from about 500 psi to about 1500 psi
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates generally to methods for producing renewable detergent compounds. More specifically, the invention relates to methods for producing detergent intermediates, including bio-linear alkylbenzene (LAB), bio-alcohols, and long chain bio-paraffins, from natural oils.