OILY BIOFUEL SUSPENSION AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING SAME

Abstract

The present invention is related to biofuel oily suspensions that use biocarbon in their composition. In this scenario, the present invention provides a biofuel oily suspension, comprising 5 to 50% by weight of micronized biocarbon and 50 to 95% by weight of oil. The biofuel oily suspension of the present invention is better adapted to compression internal combustion engines (diesel type) currently on the market, dispensing with major adaptations to them. Furthermore, the biofuel oily suspension of the present invention is highly sustainable and has an energy volumetric density and viscosity compared to liquid fossil fuels currently on the market.

Claims

1. Biofuel oily suspension, characterized by understand: 5 to 50% by mass of micronized biocarbon; and 50 to 95% by mass of liquid suspension base; and wherein the biocarbon has a bimodal particle size distribution and contains low ash content.

2. Biofuel oily suspension according to claim 1, characterized in that the liquid base of the suspension is at least one of: bunker oil; marine diesel oil or gas oil; hydrotreated vegetable oil; hydrotreated pyrolysis oil; and vegetable tar.

3. Biofuel oily suspension according to claim 2, characterized by comprising: 5 to 50% by mass of micronized biocarbon; 50 to 95% by mass of bunker oil; and 0 to 30% by mass of marine diesel oil.

4. Biofuel oily suspension according to claim 2, characterized by comprising: 5 to 50% by mass of micronized biocarbon; 50 to 95% by mass of hydrotreated vegetable oil; and 0 to 50% by weight of vegetable tar.

5. Biofuel oily suspension according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises: 5 to 50% by mass of micronized charcoal; and 50 to 95% by mass of hydrotreated pyrolysis oil.

6. Process of manufacturing of a biofuel oily suspension, comprising the steps of: micronize biocarbon to a maximum diameter of 50 m; characterized by also comprising: mix 5 to 50% by weight of micronized biocarbon to 50 to 95% by weight of liquid suspension base; and where the biocarbon has a bimodal particle size distribution and is produced from eucalyptus biomass.

7. Process according to claim 6, characterized in that the liquid base of the suspension is at least one of: bunker oil; marine diesel oil; hydrotreated vegetable oil; hydrotreated pyrolysis oil; and vegetable tar.

8. Process according to claim 6, characterized by additionally comprising a step of adding at least one surface-active additive to the biofuel oily suspension.

9. Process according to claim 6, characterized in that eucalyptus biomass is barkless.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0028] The detailed description presented below makes reference to the attached FIGURE and their respective reference numbers.

[0029] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of the interaction between the various molecules around a biocarbon particle in the biofuel oily suspension of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0030] Preliminarily, it should be noted that the following description will start from preferred embodiments of the invention. As will be evident to anyone skilled in the art, however, the invention is not limited to these particular embodiments.

[0031] The present invention therefore provides an oily biofuel suspension, comprising 5 to 50% by mass of micronized biocarbon and 50 to 95% by mass of the liquid base of the suspension. For the purposes of this description, micronized biocarbon is any charcoal of vegetable origin, produced according to sustainable standards, with a maximum diameter of 50 m. Preferably, this biocarbon has a low inorganic content (less than 1%).

[0032] Preferably, the liquid base of the aforementioned suspension is at least one of (i) bunker oil (also known as HFOHeavy Fuel Oil), (ii) marine diesel oil (MDOMarine Diesel Oil or MGOMarine Gasoil), (iii) hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVOHydrotreated Vegetable Oil), (iv) hydrotreated pyrolysis oil (HPOHydrotreated Pyrolysis Oil), and (v) vegetable tar (also called POOil of Pyrolysis or Pyrolysis Oil).

[0033] More preferably, the liquid base of the suspension used in the present invention may be a mixture of at least two of the above-mentioned oils in suitable proportions to generate a biofuel with viscosity and energy density equivalent to fuel oils found on the market.

[0034] In the first embodiment of the present invention, the following composition is used: [0035] 5 to 50% by mass of micronized biocarbon; [0036] 50 to 95% by mass of bunker oil; and [0037] 0 to 30% by mass of marine diesel oil or gas oil.

[0038] In this first embodiment, biocarbon is mixed with bunker oil. The engineering of large combustion engines is already prepared to operate with a viscosity typical of bunker oil. Naturally, as solid biocarbon particles are introduced into the suspension, its viscosity tends to increase. Another oily base, diesel oil or gas oil, is then introduced to adjust the viscosity of the suspension and return it to values close to the original viscosity of the bunker. This is a suspension characterized by the partial replacement of fossil fuel (bunker) with green fuel (biocarbon). It is a highly optimized suspension in terms of technical (burning) and logistical aspects since the introduction of biocarbon can be carried out in different proportions and implemented gradually.

[0039] In a second embodiment of the present invention, 100% sustainable, the following composition is used: [0040] 5 to 50% by mass of micronized biocarbon; [0041] 50 to 95% by mass of hydrotreated vegetable oil; and [0042] 0 to 50% by weight of vegetable tar.

[0043] In this second embodiment, the biocarbon is mixed with a completely green oily base, which may be HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil) or vegetable tar (PO Pyrolysis Oil) or a mixture of these components. This suspension is characterized by lower viscosity compared to the bunker and, in this case, there is a suspension composed only of sustainable products, that is, of renewable origin.

[0044] In a third embodiment of the present invention, also 100% sustainable, the following composition is used: [0045] 5 to 50% by mass of micronized biocarbon; and [0046] 50 to 95% by mass of hydrotreated pyrolysis oil.

[0047] In this third embodiment, the suspension is composed of biocarbon and the oily base HPO (Hydrotreated Pyrolysis Oil) and, like the second embodiment, is completely sustainable.

[0048] The three aforementioned embodiments have one characteristic in common: the use of micronized biocarbon in the composition. Aiming for suspensions that result in the lowest level of wear due to abrasion in diesel engines, it is preferable to produce biocarbon from biomass with low ash content, such as eucalyptus, preferably without the bark, which has a higher inorganic content compared to the wood core itself.

[0049] The present invention also provides a process for manufacturing the biofuel oily suspension described above, comprising the steps of (i) micronizing biocarbon to a maximum diameter of 50 m and (ii) mixing 5 to 50% by mass of micronized biocarbon to 50 to 95% by mass of liquid suspension base.

[0050] The present invention refers to an oily biofuel suspension whose composition contains a portion of biocarbon from the carbonization of biomass in micronized form (particles smaller than 50 m). The presence of biocarbon provides advantages in the ecological aspect, such as a reduction in greenhouse gas and SO.sub.x emissions, in marketing aspects, by bringing cost reduction through the use of cheaper fuel raw materials and in technical aspects.

[0051] The main technical advantages arise from the catalytic effects due to the presence of solid biocarbon particles in the reacting atmosphere, inside the engine's combustion chamber. FIG. 1 presents an illustration of these catalytic phenomena, bringing an allusion to the molecular interactions that occur in this reactant medium.

[0052] Firstly, the internal surface area associated with porosity, as well as the external surface area of biocarbon particles, favors the process of physical adsorption of oxygen molecules and other liquid fuels, promoting chemical interaction between them, which characterizes a catalytic effect in the process of combustion. More specifically, biocarbon is a product with a high concentration of carbon, typically greater than 80%, depending on the raw material and operational conditions in which it is produced. It is, therefore, a friable and porous product, and these pores can be closed or open. Associated with the degree of micronization, the external specific surface area of the particles is generated and associated with porosity, the internal specific surface area of the particles is generated. Both the external and internal specific surface area contribute to the phenomenon of heterogeneous catalysis during the combustion process. This effect is illustrated in FIG. 1, where the HC liquid fuel molecules interact more significantly a more frequently with oxygen molecules O.sub.2 precisely on the internal and external surfaces of the BC biocarbon particles. These interactions are highlighted in FIG. 1 with a blue circle.

[0053] Additionally, the catalytic effect of the injection of potassium salts in the burning of solid, liquid and gaseous fuels is known. It is also known from the relevant literature that, during the biomass carbonization process, the migration of inorganic elements present in the precursor biomass occurs, forming pockets of SiO.sub.2 and KCl crystals on the surface of the biocarbon particle. Biomass and its respective biocarbon contain micronutrients in their composition, including potassium salts. In this way, the heterogeneous suspension containing biocarbon is an intrinsic way of seeking this catalytic action of potassium in the combustion process. This effect, where potassium reduces the activation energy and catalyzes the reaction of oxygen with the carbon surface of the biocarbon itself, is illustrated in FIG. 1 and is highlighted with an orange circle.

[0054] Optionally, the present invention also provides for the introduction of additives into the biocarbon-based biofuel oily suspension, such as surfactant agents, to improve the stabilization of the solution and its handling, transport, and storage properties. Additives can be used in small proportions, typically less than 5%.

[0055] In addition to the innovative effects listed above, the following advantages are observed in the biofuel of the present invention: [0056] 1) The friability of biocarbon allows grinding to obtain particles with typical dimensions of less than 50 m at relatively competitive operating costs; [0057] 2) Preferably, the biocarbon is micronized to achieve a bimodal particle size distribution, which favors the preparation of the oily suspension of this invention; [0058] 3) Biocarbon has a low ash and sulfur content when compared to other carbonaceous materials, such as mineral coal; [0059] 4) The catalytic processes associated with biocarbon improve the burning properties of the suspension and, in this way, increase the performance of the diesel engine; [0060] 5) The burning times of porous biocarbon microparticles are low, typically the stroke times of many diesel cycle engines of interest in terms of industrial application of the present invention, such as, for example, low speed engines used in maritime transport. This provides complete solid fuel burning efficiency and low level of particulate emissions; [0061] 6) The catalytic optimization of the combustion processes of the oily phase of the suspension and the biocarbon particle itself allows the engine to operate at lower compression levels and, in this way, leads to greater thermal efficiency of the engine; [0062] 7) Better performance concerning atmospheric emissions of contaminants such as particulates and NOx due to the catalytic combustion process associated with biocarbon particles; [0063] 8) As it is renewable, partially or completely, the biofuel oily suspension of the present invention promotes a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in the form of CO.sub.2 into the atmosphere.

[0064] The biofuel of the present invention has its viscosity, calorific value, and energy density adjustable to its applications. This way, it can be adjusted to replace any types of diesel oils currently on the market. By way of example, the present invention can be used very efficiently to replace bunker oil for applications in low-speed engines, such as marine engines. However, its application is not limited to this specific application, and can also be used in engines used in rail, road, air transport, machine movement, and cogeneration.

[0065] Thus, as explained above, the present invention provides a biofuel oily suspension better adapted to diesel engines currently on the market, dispensing with major adaptations to them. Furthermore, the biofuel oily suspension of the present invention is highly sustainable and has a calorific value, energy density and viscosity compared to fuels currently on the market.

[0066] Numerous variations affecting the scope of protection of this order are permitted. In this way, the fact is reinforced that the present invention is not limited to the particular configurations/embodiments described above.