A method for producing renewable diesel includes introducing a primary feedstock comprising biologically-derived triglycerides with catalyst poisons into a first reaction chamber and hydrolyzing the primary feedstock within the first reaction and liquid-liquid extraction chamber for at least an hour such that the reacted triglycerides are separated into an aqueous solution comprising glycerol and catalyst poisons, and an intermediate feedstock comprising free fatty acids and catalyst poisons. The method also includes distilling the intermediate feedstock to separate the intermediate feedstock into a purified intermediate stream and a lower volume bottom stream containing unreacted triglyceride, diglyceride, monoglyceride, FFA and catalyst poisons. The method also includes combining the purified intermediate feedstock with a hydrogen stream and converting, in a second reaction chamber comprising a metallic catalyst bed, the purified intermediate feedstock into a product comprising long-chain alkanes. The method also includes hydrotreating the purified intermediate feedstock into a renewable diesel product.
A method for producing renewable diesel includes introducing a primary feedstock comprising biologically-derived triglycerides with catalyst poisons into a first reaction chamber and hydrolyzing the primary feedstock within the first reaction and liquid-liquid extraction chamber for at least an hour such that the reacted triglycerides are separated into an aqueous solution comprising glycerol and catalyst poisons, and an intermediate feedstock comprising free fatty acids and catalyst poisons. The method also includes distilling the intermediate feedstock to separate the intermediate feedstock into a purified intermediate stream and a lower volume bottom stream containing unreacted triglyceride, diglyceride, monoglyceride, FFA and catalyst poisons. The method also includes combining the purified intermediate feedstock with a hydrogen stream and converting, in a second reaction chamber comprising a metallic catalyst bed, the purified intermediate feedstock into a product comprising long-chain alkanes. The method also includes hydrotreating the purified intermediate feedstock into a renewable diesel product.
A method for producing renewable diesel includes introducing a primary feedstock comprising biologically-derived triglycerides with catalyst poisons into a first reaction chamber and hydrolyzing the primary feedstock within the first reaction and liquid-liquid extraction chamber for at least an hour such that the reacted triglycerides are separated into an aqueous solution comprising glycerol and catalyst poisons, and an intermediate feedstock comprising free fatty acids and catalyst poisons. The method also includes distilling the intermediate feedstock to separate the intermediate feedstock into a purified intermediate stream and a lower volume bottom stream containing unreacted triglyceride, diglyceride, monoglyceride, FFA and catalyst poisons. The method also includes combining the purified intermediate feedstock with a hydrogen stream and converting, in a second reaction chamber comprising a metallic catalyst bed, the purified intermediate feedstock into a product comprising long-chain alkanes. The method also includes hydrotreating the purified intermediate feedstock into a renewable diesel product.
A system and method for renewable diesel synthesis utilizes a triglyceride feedstock derived from biological sources. The first step involves hydrolysis of the triglycerides into an intermediate feedstock comprising a mixture of free fatty acids and glycerol (separated from the FFA by decantation and then distilled). The FFA is then further processed in a distillation step to produce a stream free of catalyst poisons and utilized as feedstock for hydrotreatment in a renewable diesel production process. By converting the initial triglyceride feedstock to an FFA feedstock, the need to hydrotreat at typical high temperature that promote the decarboxylation reaction is obviated, thereby reducing the production of CO2, generating a significantly higher proportion of saturated, long chain C14, C16 or C18 hydrocarbons (as opposed to short-chain carbons such as propane), and the more valuable glycerol product is secured.
C10G 45/60 - Refining of hydrocarbon oils using hydrogen or hydrogen-generating compounds to change the structural skeleton of some of the hydrocarbon content without cracking the other hydrocarbons present, e.g. lowering pour pointSelective hydrocracking of normal paraffins characterised by the catalyst used
C10G 45/08 - Refining of hydrocarbon oils using hydrogen or hydrogen-generating compounds to eliminate hetero atoms without changing the skeleton of the hydrocarbon involved and without cracking into lower boiling hydrocarbonsHydrofinishing characterised by the catalyst used containing nickel or cobalt metal, or compounds thereof in combination with chromium, molybdenum, or tungsten metals, or compounds thereof
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