Renewable diamondoid fuels
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
InventorBenjamin G. Harvey
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method to generate dense, multi-cyclic diamondoid fuels from bio-derived sesquiterpenes. This process can be conducted with both heterogeneous and homogenous catalysts and produces the targeted isomers in high yield. The resulting multi-cyclic structures impart significantly higher densities and volumetric net heats of combustion while maintaining low viscosities which allow for use at low temperature/high altitude. Moreover, bio-derived sesquiterpenes can be produced from renewable biomass sources. Use of these fuels will decrease Navy dependence on fossil fuels and will also reduce net carbon emissions.
Claims15
A continuous-flow method for synthesizing alkyl-adamantane fuels, comprising:
- providing an isoprenoid and/or functionalized isoprenoid feedstock;
- hydrogenating said feedstock with hydrogen gas using a hydrogenation catalyst to produce a first product stream;
- isomerizing said first product stream using an acidic catalyst to produce a second product stream;
- and
- distilling said second product stream to produce said second alkyl-adamantane fuel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.