Background: Triacylglyceride or fatty acid oil (TG Oil) is non-catalytically cracked to produce middle chain length hydrocarbons aromatics short chain carboxylic acids olefins and high purity carbon. Olefins can be converted into additional aromatics or purified and sold directly. Aromatics and short-chain carboxylics are chemical intermediates that can be used to produce polymers lubricants and coatings.The University of North Dakota has developed a non-catalytic cracking method to produce drop-in aviation fuels and high value fuel and chemical products from fatty acid and triacylglycerol sources such as crop oils fatty acids used restaurant oils algae and bacteria. By eliminating use of a catalyst in the initial decomposition reaction up to 10% more carbon in the feedstock can be converted into usable products as compared with catalytic methods such as hydrotreating. Applications: 1) Drop in aviation fuels 2) Drop in Nos. 1 and 2 diesel fuels 3) Light hydrocarbon fuels 4) Short-chain carboxylic acids 5) High purity carbon products e.g. anode grade coke and continuous carbon fibers 6) Syngas
1) External hydrogen not required so plant co-locates with feedstock reduced CapEx OpEx. 2) Wide range of feedstocks / blends can react to feedstock availability and cost. 3) High tolerance to feedstock impurities substantially reduces costs. 4) Process can be easily tailored to meet hydrotreated renewable fuel specs if needed.