Process for enhanced production of desired hydrocarbons from biologically-derived compounds and bio-oils containing cyclic compounds by opening of aromatics and naphthenic ring-containing compounds
A system and process for processing biologically-derived compounds or a complex bio-oil by converting cyclic compounds in a complex bio-oil or biologically-derived compounds to desired materials such as high molecular weight paraffins with minimal carbon loss by using a ring-contraction catalyst to selectively produce C 5 ring containing compounds; and then reacting the C 5 ring containing compounds with a C 5 ring opening catalyst in a second reactor to minimize carbon loss via cracking reactions.
1. A process for converting cyclic compounds having at least six carbons, the process comprising the steps of:
providing a bio-oil feedstock containing C-6 or greater cyclic compounds, the bio-oil feedstock having complex microemulsions of aqueous and non-aqueous phases containing different organic and inorganic compounds including esters, acids, aldehydes, alcohols, ketones, sugars, and various phenol derivatives;
reacting the bio-oil feedstock containing C-6 or greater cyclic compounds in a first reactor with an acidic ring-contraction catalyst containing at least one metal to open and reduce the C-6 or greater cyclic compounds and selectively produce C-5 ring containing compounds from the C-6 or greater cyclic compounds; and
reacting the C-5 ring containing compounds with a C-5 ring opening catalyst in a second reactor to yield a higher molecular weight material comprising paraffins,
wherein the step of reacting the bio-oil feedstock occurs under a first set of operating conditions comprising a temperature 320° C. and a pressure 20 bars and the step of reacting the C-5 ring containing compounds operates under a second set of conditions comprising a temperature 280° C. and a pressure 20 bars.
2. The process of claim 1 wherein the first reactor is loaded with the acidic ring-contraction catalyst and operates at a temperature 320° C. and a pressure 20 bars and the second reactor is loaded with the C-5 ring opening catalyst and operates at a temperature 280° C. and a pressure 20 bars.
3. The process of claim 1 wherein the acidic ring-contraction catalyst in the first reactor is an acid catalyst containing Pt.
4. The process of claim 1 wherein the acidic ring-contraction catalyst in the first reactor is an acid catalyst containing Pd.
5. The process of claim 1 wherein the C-5 ring opening catalyst in the second reactor is a metal catalyst.
6. The process of claim 5 wherein the C-5 ring opening catalyst comprises Ir.
7. The process of claim 1 wherein the higher molecular weight material is paraffins.
8. A process for converting cyclic compounds from a bio-oil feedstock into higher molecular weight materials comprising paraffins, the process comprising the steps of:
providing a bio-oil feedstock containing C-6 or greater cyclic compounds, the bio-oil feedstock having complex microemulsions of aqueous and non-aqueous phases containing different organic and inorganic compounds including esters, acids, aldehydes, alcohols, ketones, sugars, and various phenol derivatives;
reacting the bio-oil feedstock containing C-6 or greater cyclic compounds in a first a reactor with a ring-contraction catalyst comprising 1 wt % Pt/HZSM-22 thereby selectively producing C 5 ring containing compounds; and
reacting the C 5 ring containing compounds with a C 5 ring opening metal catalyst comprising 1 wt % Ir/Al 2 O 3 in a second reactor to yield a higher molecular weight material comprising paraffins,
wherein the first reactor operates at a temperature 320° C. and a pressure 20 bars and the second reactor operates at a temperature 280° C. and a pressure 20 bars.
9. The process of claim 8 wherein the higher molecular weight material is paraffins.
10. The process of claim 8 wherein the ring-contraction catalyst is 1 wt % Pt/HZSM-22.
11. The process of claim 8 wherein the C 5 ring opening metal catalyst is 1 wt % Ir/Al 2 O 3.