Upgrading of fusel oils over doped alumina
AssigneeGevo, Inc.
InventorJonathan Smith
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Abstract
This present disclosure relates to a catalytic process for upgrading crude and/or refined fusel oil mixtures to higher value renewable 2-methyl-2-butene, via novel doped alumina catalysts. It was found that passing a vaporized stream of crude and/or refined fusel oils over doped alumina catalysts provides renewable 2-methyl-2-butene in high yields in a single step. Subsequent downstream purification of the reactor effluent results in a renewable 2-methyl-2-butene at competitive price and quality to fossil fuel derived 2-methyl-2-butene.
Claims18
A process for converting fusel oils to renewable chemicals, the process comprising:
- contacting a feed stream comprising the fusel oils with an alumina catalyst at a temperature from about 200° C. to about 500° C., and a weight hourly space velocity (WHSV) of at least 1.0, wherein the alumina catalyst comprises one or more of zirconium (Zr), titanium (Ti), silicon (Si), or fluorine (F) in neutral or ionic form;
- and
- forming the renewable chemicals, wherein the renewable chemicals comprise 2-methyl-2-butene in an amount of at least 50 wt. % yield;
- wherein the fusel oils comprise ethanol, isobutanol, 3-methyl-1-butanol, and 2-methyl-1-butanol, and wherein the 3 methyl-1-butanol is present in the fusel oils in an amount of about 40 wt. % to about 70 wt. %.
A process for converting fusel oils to renewable chemicals, the process comprising:
- contacting a feed stream comprising fusel oils with an alumina catalyst at a temperature of about 420° C., and a weight hourly space velocity (WHSV) of about 2.5, wherein the alumina catalyst is γ-alumina and comprises Zirconium (IV);
- and
- forming the renewable chemicals, wherein the renewable chemicals are C2-C5 olefins and further comprises 2-methyl-2-butene in an amount of about 60 wt. % yield;
- wherein the fusel oils comprise ethanol, isobutanol, 3-methyl-1-butanol, and 2-methyl-1-butanol, and wherein the 3-methyl-1-butanol is present in the fusel oils in an amount of about 40 wt. % to about 70 wt. %.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.