Vegetable Oil Conversion to Base Oils and Fuels

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Solution Overview

Problem

Vegetable oils are not suitable for direct use as diesel fuel due to high viscosity and poor low-temperature flow properties, and conventional biodiesel production methods limit fuel types and exacerbate low-temperature performance issues.

Innovation Solution

The process involves hydrotreating and isomerization of triglyceride-containing oils to produce oligomerized mixtures, which are then distilled to yield a broader range of base oils and diesel fuels with improved low-temperature performance and increased alkane content, enhancing the production of multiple product streams.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If vegetable oils are used as direct replacement for petroleum diesel, then renewable resource utilization is improved, but viscosity is too high and low-temperature flow properties are poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverenewable resource utilizationVSAvoidlow-temperature flow properties

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by transforming the chemical structure of vegetable oils through hydrotreating and isomerization processes. These processes modify the molecular composition to reduce viscosity and improve low-temperature flow properties while maintaining renewable resource utilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces conventional mechanical blending approaches with chemical transformation processes (hydrotreating and isomerization) to fundamentally change the physical properties of the fuel, enabling direct use in diesel engines without relying on mechanical blending solutions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If conventional transesterification is used to convert vegetable oils to biodiesel, then diesel compatibility is improved, but low-temperature performance deteriorates and fuel type diversity is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediesel compatibilityVSAvoidfuel type diversity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs parameter changes through hydrotreating and isomerization processes that fundamentally alter the chemical composition of the fuel products. This enables production of multiple fuel types (diesel, jet fuel, heating oil) with different chemical properties, expanding fuel type diversity while maintaining diesel compatibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements multi-functionality by designing a processing system that can produce multiple fuel types from the same vegetable oil feedstock. The system serves multiple functions: producing diesel fuel, jet fuel, and heating oil, thereby eliminating the limitation of single fuel type production.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Stability of the object's composition

If hydrogenation is applied to improve oxidation stability, then oxidation stability is improved, but low-temperature performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoxidation stabilityVSAvoidlow-temperature performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by using isomerization processes that rearrange molecular structures to improve oxidation stability without the detrimental effects of hydrogenation on low-temperature performance. This selective parameter change achieves oxidation stability improvement while preserving low-temperature flow properties.

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 effectively produces diesel fuel and base oils with improved low-temperature flow and oxidation stability, expanding the range of fuel types and enhancing economic efficiency by generating multiple product streams.

Implementation Method 1

processing a triglyceride-containing vegetable oil to effect oligomerization and deoxygenation of unsaturated fatty acid components contained therein

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrotreating: Hydrogenation

Implementation Method 2

the processing effects at least a partial oligomerization of fatty acid components of the biologically-derived oils

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOligomerization: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 3

isomerizing the oligomerized mixture over an isomerization catalyst to yield an isomerized mixture, wherein the isomerized mixture comprises a base oil component and a diesel fuel component

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIsomerization: Catalysis

Implementation Method 4

distilling the isomerized mixture to yield/produce a base oil and a diesel fuel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDistillation: Distillation

Data Source

PatentUS8772555B2Conversion of vegetable oils to base oils and transportation fuels

Publication Date: 2014.07.08 CHEVRON USA INC

AI summary

The present invention is directed to methods (processes) and systems for processing triglyceride-containing, biologically-derived oils to provide for base oils and transportation fuels, wherein partial oligomerization of fatty acids contained therein provide for an oligomerized mixture from which the base oils and transportation fuels can be extracted. Such methods and systems can involve an initial hydrotreating step or a direct isomerization of the oligomerized mixture.