Derivation and conversion of natural oilswith chemical compositions for hydroprocessing to transport fuels

Abstract

Methods, apparatus, and/or feedstock suitable for use in biofuels production, as well as biofuel compositions. A method of producing a biofuel includes hydroprocessing glycerides derived from an oleaginous microorganism and composed of at least 10% by weight of fatty acid chains of length C16 or lower, and producing a biofuel having a cold-flow pour point of about 20° Celsius or lower.

1 . A feedstock suitable for biofuels production, the feedstock comprising:
 glycerides derived from an oleaginous microorganism; and   at least about 10% by weight of fatty acid chains of length C16 or lower;   wherein a biofuel resulting from hydroprocessing the feedstock comprises a cold-flow pour point of about 20° C. or lower.   
     
     
         2 . The feedstock of  claim 1 , wherein the feedstock has a density below about 940 kg/m 3  at 15° C. 
     
     
         3 . The feedstock of  claim 1 , wherein the biofuel resulting from hydroprocessing the feedstock has a cetane value of at least about 50. 
     
     
         4 . The feedstock of  claim 1 , wherein the feedstock has an iodine value of about 100 or less. 
     
     
         5 . The feedstock of  claim 1 , wherein the oleaginous microorganism comprises at least one microorganism selected from the group consisting of algae, fungi, bacteria, cyanobacteria, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The feedstock of  claim 1 , wherein the oleaginous microorganism comprises at least one microorganism selected from the group consisting of  Saccharomyces unisporus, Saccharomyces dairensis, Aspergillus nidulans, Sprilulina maxima, Entomorphtoria coronata, Entomorphtoria obscura, Cyclotella cryptica, Navicula muralis, Phaeodactylum triconutum, Thalassiosira pseudonana , genetically modified  Saccharomyces cerevisiae , genetically modified  Escherichia coli , and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The feedstock of  claim 1 , wherein the glycerides comprise at least about 10% by weight of fatty acid chains of length C14 or lower. 
     
     
         8 . The feedstock of  claim 1 , wherein the glycerides comprise at least about 10% by weight of fatty acid chains of length C12 or lower. 
     
     
         9 . The biofuel resulting from hydroprocessing the feedstock of  claim 1 , wherein the biofuel comprises diesel. 
     
     
         10 . The biofuel resulting from hydroprocessing the feedstock of  claim 1 , wherein the biofuel comprises jet fuel. 
     
     
         11 . The biofuel resulting from hydroprocessing the feedstock of  claim 9 , wherein the resulting biofuel comprises a fuel made by a hydrotreating process. 
     
     
         12 . The biofuel resulting from hydroprocessing the feedstock of  claim 11 , wherein the glycerides do not undergo isomerization or hydroisomerization. 
     
     
         13 . The biofuel resulting from hydroprocessing the feedstock of  claim 1 , wherein the isomerization ratio is less than 2. 
     
     
         14 . A method of producing a biofuel, the method comprising:
 hydroprocessing glycerides derived from an oleaginous microorganism and composed of at least 10% by weight of fatty acid chains of length C16 or lower resulting in a biofuel having a cold-flow pour point of about 20° C. or lower.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the method is carried out without the glycerides undergoing isomerization, or hydroisomerization, or catalytic isomerization, or a significant amount of isomerization. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the isomerization ratio is less than 2. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the oleaginous organism comprises at least one of the group consisting of  Saccharomyces unisporus, Saccharomyces dairensis, Aspergillus nidulans, Sprilulina maxima, Entomorphtoria coronata, Entomorphtoria obscura, Cyclotella cryptica, Navicula muralis, Phaeodactylum triconutum, Thalassiosira pseudonana , genetically modified  Saccharomyces cerevisiae , genetically modified  Escherichia coli , and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the glycerides comprise at least about 10% by weight of fatty acid chains of length C14 or lower. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the glycerides comprise at least about 10% by weight of fatty acid chains of length C12 or lower. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising blending a quantity of the biofuel with a fossil-derived fuel. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the biofuel comprises diesel. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the biofuel comprises jet fuel. 
     
     
         23 . A biofuel produced according to the method of  claim 14 . 
     
     
         24 . A biorefinery for producing a feedstock suitable for biofuels production, the biorefinery comprising:
 a hydroprocessing unit for hydroprocessing glycerides derived from an oleaginous microorganism and composed of at least 10% by weight of fatty acid chains of length C16 or lower; and   no units for carrying out isomerization, or hydroisomerization, or catalytic isomerization, or a significant amount of isomerization.