A vortex reactor (200) for generating hydrogen gas through electrolysis of water, comprising: a reactor body having a first end (204) and a second end (206); one or more inlet ports (202) disposed at or near the first end (204) and configured to direct an electrolytic fluid into the reactor body so that the fluid moves toward the second end (206), the one or more inlet ports (202) being tangentially oriented with respect to an inner surface of the reactor body so that the fluid directed into the reactor body follows a vortical path as the fluid moves toward the second end (206); an anode (242) disposed at the first end(204); and a tubular cathode (244) disposed within the reactor body between the first and second ends, the cathode (244) disposed so that the vortical path of the fluid contacts an inner surface of the cathode (244) as the fluid moves toward the second end (206), wherein power supplied to the anode (242) and cathode (244) cause hydrogen gas to form at the cathode (244) and oxygen gas to form at the anode (242), the vortical path of the moving fluid shearing the forming gases to enable collection of the gases.
High energy (e.g., ultrasonic) mixing of a hydrocarbon feedstock and reactants comprised of an oxidation source, acid, and optional catalyst yields a liquid hydrocarbon product having increased cetane number. Ultrasonic mixing creates cavitation, which involves formation and violent collapse of micron-sized bubbles, which greatly increases reactivity of the reactants. Cavitation substantially increases cetane number compared to reactions carried out using conventional mixing processes, such as simple mechanical stirring. An aqueous mixture comprising water and acid can be pretreated with ozone or other oxidizer using ultrasonic cavitation prior to reacting the pretreated mixture with a hydrocarbon feedstock to promote cetane-increasing reactions. Controlling temperature inside the reactor promotes beneficial cetane-increasing reactions while minimizing formation of water-soluble sulfones.
B01J 19/10 - Processes employing the direct application of electric or wave energy, or particle radiationApparatus therefor employing sonic or ultrasonic vibrations
C10G 29/22 - Organic compounds not containing metal atoms containing oxygen as the only hetero atom
C10G 17/02 - Refining of hydrocarbon oils, in the absence of hydrogen, with acids, acid-forming compounds, or acid-containing liquids, e.g. acid sludge with acids or acid-containing liquids, e.g. acid sludge
C10L 10/12 - Use of additives to fuels or fires for particular purposes for improving the cetane number
C10L 1/02 - Liquid carbonaceous fuels essentially based on components consisting of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen only
C10G 27/02 - Refining of hydrocarbon oils, in the absence of hydrogen, by oxidation with halogen or compounds generating halogenHypochlorous acid or salts thereof
C10G 27/12 - Refining of hydrocarbon oils, in the absence of hydrogen, by oxidation with oxygen or compounds generating oxygen with oxygen-generating compounds, e.g. per-compounds, chromic acid, chromates
C10G 27/14 - Refining of hydrocarbon oils, in the absence of hydrogen, by oxidation with oxygen or compounds generating oxygen with ozone-containing gases
C10G 31/06 - Refining of hydrocarbon oils, in the absence of hydrogen, by methods not otherwise provided for by heating, cooling, or pressure treatment
A method for combined reductive and oxidative treatment of liquid hydrocarbon feedstock to form upgraded liquid fuel having increased cetane number and reduced sulfur content. The yield of upgraded liquid fuel having a given cetane number is higher than processes than only increase cetane number by oxidative treatment. The feedstock can be initially hydrotreated to reduce sulfur content followed by oxidative treatment to increase cetane number. A first portion of a hydrotreated intermediate stream can be oxidative ly treated to yield high cetane number blending stock, which is combined with a second portion of the hydrotreated intermediate stream to yield upgraded liquid fuel having increased cetane number and reduced sulfur content. Combining hydrotreatment with oxidative treatment facilitated by high energy cavitation maximizes yield and fuel quality.
C10G 67/12 - Treatment of hydrocarbon oils by at least one hydrotreatment process and at least one process for refining in the absence of hydrogen only plural serial stages only including oxidation as the refining step in the absence of hydrogen
C10L 10/12 - Use of additives to fuels or fires for particular purposes for improving the cetane number
4.
METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR OXIDATIVELY INCREASING CETANE NUMBER OF HYDROCARBON FUEL
High energy (e.g., ultrasonic) mixing of a liquid hydrocarbon feedstock and reactants comprised of an oxidation source, catalyst and acid yields a diesel fuel product or additive having substantially increased cetane number. Ultrasonic mixing creates cavitation, which involves the formation and violent collapse of micron-sized bubbles, which greatly increases the reactivity of the reactants. This, in turn, substantially increases the cetane number compared to reactions carried out using conventional mixing processes, such as simple mechanical stirring. Alternatively, an aqueous mixture comprising water and acid can be pretreated with an oxidation source such as ozone and subjected to ultrasonic cavitation prior to reacting the pretreated mixture with a liquid hydrocarbon feedstock.
C10L 1/08 - Liquid carbonaceous fuels essentially based on blends of hydrocarbons for compression ignition
B01J 10/00 - Chemical processes in general for reacting liquid with gaseous media other than in the presence of solid particlesApparatus specially adapted therefor
patents
