Method and system for oxidatively increasing cetane number of hydrocarbon fuel

摘要

High energy (e.g., ultrasonic) mixing of a hydrocarbon feedstock and reactants comprised of an oxidation source, acid, and optional catalyst yields a liquid hydrocarbon product having increased cetane number. Ultrasonic mixing creates cavitation, which involves formation and violent collapse of micron-sized bubbles, which greatly increases reactivity of the reactants. Cavitation substantially increases cetane number compared to reactions carried out using conventional mixing processes, such as simple mechanical stirring. An aqueous mixture comprising water and acid can be pretreated with ozone or other oxidizer using ultrasonic cavitation prior to reacting the pretreated mixture with a hydrocarbon feedstock to promote cetane-increasing reactions. Controlling temperature inside the reactor promotes beneficial cetane-increasing reactions while minimizing formation of water-soluble sulfones.

主权项

1. A method for increasing cetane number of a hydrocarbon, comprising:
providing a hydrocarbon feedstock having a boiling range above that of naphtha; introducing the hydrocarbon feedstock, an oxidation source, a water-soluble acid in addition to the oxidation source, and optionally a catalyst into a cavitation reactor; and operating the cavitation reactor with cooling or heat exchange to control the temperature inside the cavitation reactor, promote cetane-increasing oxygenation reactions between the hydrocarbon feedstock and oxidation source, minimize formation of water-soluble sulfones, and yield liquid hydrocarbon product having a cetane number at least 15% higher than the cetane number of the hydrocarbon feedstock.