Methods, apparatuses, and systems for conversion of bio-alcohols to renewable diesel

Abstract

Methods, apparatuses, and systems for the conversion of bioalcohol to renewable diesel fuel are disclosed. In an example embodiment, a method includes providing a first bio-alcohol feed stream comprising a first bio-alcohol to a first dehydration reactor and providing a second bio-alcohol feed stream comprising a second bio-alcohol to a second dehydration reactor; dehydrating, in parallel, at least a portion of the first bio-alcohol feed stream to a first alkene process stream in the first dehydration reactor and at least a portion of the second bio-alcohol feed stream to a second alkene process stream in the second dehydration reactor; providing the first alkene process stream to an oligomerization reactor and oligomerizing at least a portion of the first alkene process stream to produce a first olefin process stream; providing the second alkene process stream from the second dehydration reactor to a dimerization reactor and dimerizing at least a portion of the second alkene process stream to produce a second olefin process stream; providing the first and second olefin process streams to a distillation apparatus and separating, via distillation, lighter olefins from longer carbon chain olefins; and hydrogenating at least a portion of the longer carbon chain olefins.