Downflow lipid conversion with upflow catalyst regeneration
AssigneeChevron U.S.A. Inc.
InventorSven Ivar HOMMELTOFT
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A reactor system includes a reactor that treats a lipid feedstock using a metal oxide catalyst to produce a treated stream comprising a bio-oil. The reactor system includes a catalyst zone in which the metal oxide catalyst reacts with the lipid feedstock to produce the treated stream. The reactor system operates in a reaction mode, during which the lipid feedstock flows in a downward direction through the metal oxide catalyst to produce the treated stream. Alternately, the reactor also operates in a regeneration mode, during which coke is burned from the metal oxide catalyst thereby regenerating the metal oxide catalyst. In one aspect, a regeneration mode pressure is less than a reaction mode pressure within the reactor to fluidize the catalyst.
Claims16
A process for converting a lipid feedstock to a treated stream wherein the treated stream comprises a condensable oil fraction having a lower content of oxygen and impurities than the lipid feedstock, and the process comprises alternating an operation of a reactor between a reaction mode and a regeneration mode,
- wherein the reaction mode comprises:
- a. providing an input of the lipid feedstock into a top portion of the reactor such that the lipid feedstock flows downward through a bed of catalyst particles comprising a metal oxide on an oxide support;
- b. operating the reactor at a reaction mode temperature of from 450° C. to 550° C. and a reaction mode pressure of from 30 psi to 1,450 psi;
- and
- c. withdrawing the treated stream from the bottom portion of the reactor;
- and
- discontinuing the operation of the reactor in the reaction mode and commencing operation of the reactor in the regeneration mode, wherein the regeneration mode comprises:
- d. providing an input of air optionally diluted with steam or inert gas into a bottom portion of the reactor such that the air flows upward through the catalyst particles;
- e. maintaining a temperature of 400° C. to 800° C., thereby causing combustion of combustible solids on the catalyst particles and thereby regenerating the catalyst particles;
- and
- f. withdrawing a flue gas from the top portion of the reactor wherein the flue gas comprises dust particles derived from the impurities in the lipid feedstock.
16-20. (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.