Gevo, Inc.

Jonathan O Smith

Madeline Sjodin

Paul Starkey

Leo E Manzer

Nicholas Mcguire

Steve Donen

Michelle Shebowich

Andrew Ingram

Austin Vaillancourt

Nicholas McGuire

Carolina Salazar

This disclosure relates to a single stage process for the direct conversion of alcohols, e.g. ethanol, to olefinic mixtures (C-C) with low levels of aromatics carried out in a single reactor with two fixed catalyst beds in series, or two catalytic fixed bed reactors in series wherein the first reactor operates at a lower or higher temperature than the operating temperature of the second reactor. The process transformation of ethanol is comprised of ethanol dehydration to ethylene and water in high yield with the first catalyst in the first reactor, or via the first fixed catalyst bed, followed by directly feeding the ethylene and water to the second reactor, or second fixed catalyst bed, with conversion of said ethylene and water to a C-Colefinic mixture with the second catalyst(s) in high yields with minimal aromatic compound formation.

Simultaneous dehydration, dimerization, and metathesis of C2-C5 alcohols

Disclosed is a process for converting lower linear and branched mono-olefins, derived from C-Cbio-based alcohols to higher hydrocarbons, to one or more C-Chydrocarbons. Certain embodiments provide a process for oligomerization of branched and/or linear C-Colefins to renewable diesel fuel and/or jet fuel in overall yields of at least 70% in the presence of tungstated γ-alumina or tungstated silica catalysts admixed with ZSM-5 type zeolites.

Selective formation of jet and diesel fuels from bio-based C3-C8 olefins via oligomerization with tungstated catalysts

Processes for converting one or more C-Clinear or branched alcohols to one or more C-Colefins are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, the process can be a single stage process for the direct conversion of C-Calcohols to olefinic mixtures (e.g., C-C) carried out in a reactor using a catalyst that includes zeolite doped with boron and phosphor. Systems for carrying out these processes are also provided.

Systems and processes for catalytic conversion of C—Calcohols to C—Colefin mixtures

Simultaneous dehydration, oligomerization, and cracking of C2-C5 alcohols

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.

Upgrading of fusel oils over doped alumina

This present disclosure relates to catalytic processes for oligomerizing bio-based olefinic mixtures to higher value renewable fuels via a doped Chabazite zeolite catalyst. A stream including a C-Colefin and an oxygenate is fed to an oligomerization process utilizing a doped Chabazite zeolite catalyst resulting in high yields and selectivity of oligomers used to produce bio-based jet fuel and/or diesel fuels depending upon reaction temperatures and pressures. The process also produces iso-octane that is suitable for producing bio-based gasoline. The process tolerates relatively high levels of oxygenates in the olefinic feed and the catalyst is capable of air regeneration.

Bio-based olefin oligomerization via chabazite zeolite catalyst

The present disclosure provides methods and materials for oligomerization of lower olefins (e.g., C-C) to transportations fuels including diesel and/or jet fuel. The oligomerization employs, in certain embodiments, tungstated zirconium catalysts. Surprisingly, the oligomerizations proceed smoothly in high yields and exhibit little to no sensitivity to the presence of significant amounts of oxygenates (e.g., water, lower alcohols such as C-Calcohols) in the feed stream. Accordingly, the present disclosure is uniquely suited to the production of fuels derived from bio-based alcohols, wherein olefins produced from such bio-based alcohols typically contain high levels of oxygenates.

Conversion of mixtures of C&#x2014;Colefins to jet fuel and/or diesel fuel in high yield from bio-based alcohols

This present disclosure relates to catalytic processes for upgrading crude and/or refined fusel oil mixtures to higher value renewable chemicals, via mixed metal oxide or zeolite catalysts. Disclosed herein are processes passing a vaporized stream of crude and/or refined fusel oils over various mixed metal oxide catalysts, metal doped zeolites, or non-metal doped zeolites and/or metal oxides providing options to valorize fusel oil mixtures to higher value products. Renewable chemicals formed, via these upgrading catalyst platforms, are comprised of, but not limited to, methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK), di-isobutyl ketone (DIBK), isoamylene, and isoprene.

Upgrading fusel oil mixtures over heterogeneous catalysts to higher value renewable chemicals

This application relates to the production of functionalized lower hydrocarbons and more particularly to the process of converting ethanol to functionalized lower hydrocarbons. In particular embodiments, the ethanol to functionalized lower hydrocarbon conversion is catalyzed by a ZnZrAQMnOmixed oxide catalyst or a bifunctional heterogeneous catalyst. In particular embodiments, the ethanol to be converted is present at molar concentrations in the reactor feed equal to or exceeding 14%.

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Highlands Ranch, CO, United States of America

Jonathan O Smith