US 2002/0173682 A1 · Dendritic process for the catalytic reduction of heavy oils, kerogens, plastics, bio-masses, sludges and organic wastes to light hydrocarbon liquids, carbon dioxide and amines

Abstract

The present invention pertains to a process for the catalytic reduction of heavy oils, kerogens, plastics, bio-masses, sludges and organic wastes to light hydrocarbon liquids, carbon dioxide and amines, all in a single reaction vessel. Disclosed are multiple examples of an improved dendritic process for the reaction of variegate raw materials, and the separation and isolation of the products formed thereby. The invention takes advantage of the reduction in the number of profligate process steps, the cycle time for the reactions, and the capacity to separate the products using a dendritic process. The invention thus directly addresses the need in the art for an improved dendritic process, which is suitable for application in the processing and recycling or disposal of waste from numerous and variable sources, such as, for example, agricultural, industrial and municipal waste products, and including, but not limited to, various wastes that are toxic or potentially hazardous to human or animal health or the environment.

Claims38

Dependent claims

A chemical process for the catalytic reduction of raw organic materials that include higher molecular weight organic compositions, comprising the steps of:

a) introducing said organic material into a pressurized aqueous reactor system having a pump that can generate a pressure of about 200-250 atmospheres;
b) heating said mixture in said reactor system in the presence of super-critical water under high pressure and temperature;
c) maintaining said organic material at a temperature of about 400-525° C. for a sufficient period of time, such that said organic material is chemically transformed into a mixture comprising lower molecular weight liquid hydrocarbons of reduced viscosity, carbon dioxide and, when protein or other nitrogenous compounds are present in said organic material, amines;
and
d) wherein said chemical transformation occurs in a single reactor zone of said reactor system.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Dendritic process for the catalytic reduction of heavy oils, kerogens, plastics, bio-masses, sludges and organic wastes to light hydrocarbon liquids, carbon dioxide and amines

Life of this patent

Dendritic process for the catalytic reduction of heavy oils, kerogens, plastics, bio-masses, sludges and organic wastes to light hydrocarbon liquids, carbon dioxide and amines

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims38