IP Library Granted Patent US 11,427,765
Granted Patent B2
US 11,427,765 · App. 16/319,123 · Granted Aug 30, 2022

Systems and methods for preparing and co-processing biocrude oil

Inventor: Barry A. Freel (Ottawa, CA)
Assignee: Ensyn Renewables, Inc.
C10G11/18C10G3/42C10G2300/1014C10G2300/1074C10G2300/80C10G2400/02C10G2400/04C10G2400/06
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,427,765
App. No.
16/319,123
Granted
Aug 30, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

The present application generally relates to catalytically preparing liquid fuel products with an improved product mix by co-processing a plurality of reactants in in refinery or field-upgrading operations. The reactants may include, for example, petroleum fraction and a biocrude oil having an alcohol additive.

Claims (40)

1. A method for preparing liquid fuel products, comprising: co-processing a plurality of reactants in a catalytic cracker, said plurality of reactants comprising:

i) 93-99.95 vol. % of a petroleum fraction; and

ii) 0.05-7 vol. % of a biocrude oil derived from a cellulosic biomass, said biocrude oil having one or more alcohol additives in the range of 0.1-20 wt. % relative to the total weight of the biocrude oil and alcohol additive.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the biocrude additionally comprises a vegetable oil additive.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the vegetable oil comprises 2-20 wt. % of the biocrude oil.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more alcohol additives comprises predominately ethanol.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least 75 vol. % of the alcohol additive comprises one or more primary and/or secondary alcohol with a molecular weight of less than 100 g/mole.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the alcohol additive has a viscosity of less than 2 cP at a temperature of 27° C.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the alcohol additive comprises at least 2 vol. % ethanol, relative to the weight of the biocrude oil.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein:

i) the petroleum fraction comprises a vacuum gas oil;

ii) the plurality of reactants comprise 0.05-2 vol. % of the biocrude oil;

iii) the biocrude oil is the product of a mechanical and thermal conversion of a cellulosic biomass comprising grinding and non-catalytic rapid thermal processing; and

iv) the alcohol additive is at least 2 vol. % ethanol, relative to the weight of the biocrude oil.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein each 100 gallons of the plurality of reactants produces at least 70 gallons of the liquid fuel products, said liquid fuel products comprising:

i) a motor gas having a boiling point up to 430° F.;

ii) a light cycle oil having a boiling point up in the range of 430-650° F.; and

iii) a distillate oil having a boiling point greater than 650° F.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein each 100 gallons of the plurality of reactants produces:

i) at least 40 gallons of the motor gas; and

ii) at least 20 gallons of the light cycle oil.

11. The method of claim 1 , further comprising adding a portion of the one or more alcohol additives to the biocrude oil, followed several days later by addition of at least a further portion of the one or more alcohol additives to the biocrude oil prior to co-processing.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the one or more alcohol additives is added to the biocrude oil within 1 day of being formed.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the biocrude oil is co-processed within 2 weeks following addition of at least a portion of the one or more alcohol additives.

14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the biocrude oil is a liquid product of non-catalytic rapid thermal processing.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein at least a portion of the one or more alcohol additives is added to a condensing chamber during the rapid thermal processing.

16. The method of claim 14 , wherein at least a portion of the one or more alcohol additives is added to a fast pyrolysis upflow reactor during the rapid thermal processing.

17. The method of claim 14 , wherein the non-catalytic rapid thermal processing comprises: contacting the biocrude oil product with a chelating agent.

18. The method of claim 14 , wherein the non-catalytic rapid thermal processing comprises: pre-treating the cellulosic biomass with a water wash.

19. A method for preparing a fuel, comprising: co-processing a plurality of reactants in a catalytic cracker, said plurality of reactants comprising:

i) 93-99.95 vol. % of a petroleum fraction; and

ii) 0.05-7 vol. % of a biocrude oil product of a mechanical and thermal conversion of a cellulosic biomass comprising grinding and non-catalytic rapid thermal processing, said biocrude oil product having:

a) a non-phenolic alcohol content of at least 7 vol. %; and

b) a viscosity reducing component of at least 2 vol. % comprising one or more sub-components having a molecular weight of less than 100 g/mole.

20. The method of claim 19 , wherein the cellulosic biomass has a holocellulose content of at least 65 vol. % and a lignin content of no more than 30 vol. %.

21. A method for generating at least one Cellulosic-Renewable Identification Number, comprising: co-processing a plurality of reactants in at least one approved fuel pathway comprising fluidized catalytic cracking under the Renewable Fuel Standard program, said plurality of reactants comprising:

i) 93-99.95 vol. % of a petroleum fraction; and

ii) 0.05-7 vol. % of a biocrude oil derived from a liquid product of rapid thermal processing of a cellulosic biomass, said biocrude oil having an alcohol additive in the range of 0.1-20 wt. % relative to the total weight of the biocrude oil and alcohol additive.

22. The method of claim 21 , wherein the at least one Cellulosic-Renewable Identification Number attaches to a gasoline or diesel fuel.

23. The method of claim 21 , wherein the at least one Cellulosic-Renewable Identification Number is derived at least in part from the quantity of alcohol additive.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 28, 2022
From: FREEL, BARRY A.
To: ENSYN RENEWABLES, INC.
Reel/Frame 060339/0310 →