Method and Plant for Obtaining a Main Product Stream for the Production of Transport Fuel

Simple SummaryContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

This patent describes a method and associated plant for efficiently converting alcohols or ethers (such as methanol or dimethyl ether) into hydrocarbons suitable for use as transport fuels (particularly jet fuel, diesel, and gasoline). The process features a two-stage catalytic conversion: the first stage produces light olefins, and the second employs a metal-organic framework (MOF) catalyst to oligomerize these olefins into longer-chain hydrocarbons (C10–C16), which are optimal for transport fuels. This method enhances yield and selectivity in the desired hydrocarbon range using the unique properties of MOF catalysts.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from renewable methanol or dimethyl ether feeds, potentially derived from biomass or captured CO2.
• Manufacturing of diesel, jet fuel, and gasoline from non-petroleum (alcohol or ether) feedstocks.
• Conversion plants for renewable methanol/dimethyl ether located independently from synthesis sites, enabling distributed or modular fuel production.
• Retrofitting existing fuel plants to increase C10–C16 hydrocarbon yields using MOF catalysts.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Significantly higher yield of transport fuel-range hydrocarbons (C10–C16) compared to traditional processes.
• Enables production of fuels from renewable or carbon-neutral feedstocks, supporting decarbonization of the transport sector.
• MOF catalysts can be tailored for selectivity, boosting process efficiency and reducing unwanted byproducts.
• Scalable and suitable for large-scale industrial applications.
• Potential to use green hydrogen and CO2 as inputs, promoting a closed carbon cycle and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
• Flexible for integration with existing refinery infrastructure.

Technical Classifications (CPCs)

Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

The invention relates to a method for obtaining a main product stream (1) with hydrocarbons from a reactant (3), which reactant (3) comprises at least one substance of the group of alcohols and the group of ethers, for the production of transport fuel (8), wherein the reactant (3) is fed to a prereactor stage (10), in which prereactor stage (10) the reactant (3) is at least partially catalytically converted into an intermediate product stream (11), wherein the molar proportion of C2 to C5 hydrocarbon among all hydrocarbon of the inter-mediate product stream (11) is at least 55 percent, wherein the intermediate product stream (11) is fed to a main reactor stage (12), in which main reactor stage (12) the hydrocarbons of the intermediate product stream (11) are oligomerized by means of a main reactor stage catalyst for obtaining the main product stream (1), wherein the weight proportion of C10 to C16 hydrocarbons among all hydrocarbons of the main product stream (1) is at least 15 percent. The method according to the invention is characterized in that the main reactor stage catalyst is a metal organic framework catalyst. The invention further relates to a corresponding plant for obtaining a main product stream (1).