NZ618723A - Production of organic materials using an oxidative hydrothermal dissolution method - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a method of producing organic materials such as petroleum materials and aromatic acids, phenols, and aliphatic poly-carboxylic acids using an oxidative hydrothermal dissolution (OHD) process. The OHD method includes contacting an organic solid such as coal, bituminous sand, carbonaceous shale, and biomass with an oxidant such as molecular oxygen supplied by in situ decomposition of hydrogen peroxide in a reactor containing superheated water to form at least one solubilized organic solute. The reaction breaks down the macromolecular structure of the organic solid into lower molecular weight fragments that are soluble in water and referred to as dissolved organic solids, solubilized organics, or solubilized organic solutes. The solubilized fragments can then be used as raw materials for various chemical processes or as liquid fuels. If the solubilized fragments are dissolved carbohydrates such as low molecular weight sugars or oxidized low molecular weight sugars, the dissolved carbohydrates may be fermented to produce alcohols or used in other processes to produce a variety of other products.

Description

PRODUCTION OF ORGANIC MATERIALS USING AN OXIDATIVE HYDROTHERMAL DISSOLUTION METHOD FIELD This document relates to methods of producing organic materials, and in particular to methods of producing petroleum materials and c compounds such as aromatic acids, phenols, and aliphatic poly-carboxylic acids using an oxidative hermal dissolution (OHD) process.

BACKGROUND The majority of raw materials used by the chemical industry for the production of polymers and other purposes are lly derived from petroleum sources. The cost and availability of these raw materials are heavily influenced by the available petroleum supplies, which have been generally dwindling for approximately the last decade due to peaking world production capacity and increasing world demand. Because the global petroleum supply is a non-renewable resource, the future availability of petroleum and of raw als derived from eum is not ed to improve.

As recoverable reserves of conventional petroleum become increasingly scarce and expensive to recover, interest in the recovery of heavy oil resources, such as bituminous sands (also known as oil sands and/or tar sands), is increasing. By some estimates, amounts of oil in place in known bituminous sand deposits may be larger than all remaining worldwide conventional petroleum reserves and is at least of the same order of ude as all ing worldwide conventional petroleum reserves. However recovery of these resources is difficult and subject to numerous undesirable environmental consequences.

Oxidative hydrothermal dissolution (OHD) technology is an environmentally ly technology that breaks down macromolecular organic materials using an oxidative bond cleavage process ing in the generation of organic compounds such as low molecular weight ic and aliphatic acids, phenols, and other products. This application describes methods of using OHD technology to break down olecular and heterogeneous als such as bituminous sands, coal, lignocellulosic biomass, and kerogen to produce specific products that are currently used or are potentially useful to the chemical industry, as well as other products.

SUMMARY In one embodiment, a s for solubilizing an organic solid contained within a composite al ing an organic solid and an inorganic matrix may include contacting the composite material with an oxidant in superheated water to form an aqueous mixture comprising at least one solubilized organic solute.

In some embodiments, the process may further include pulverizing the composite material and combining the pulverized composite al with water to form a slurry prior to contacting the composite material with the oxidant in the superheated water.

In some embodiments, the oxidant is molecular oxygen (02), wherein the molecular oxygen is supplied by any known method of supplying, producing, or separating molecular oxygen from any known mixture in any form.

Non-limiting examples of methods of obtaining a supply of molecular oxygen include: in situ decomposition of hydrogen peroxide; fractional distillation of ied air; electrolysis of water; transfer from a stored oxygen supply; membrane separation from air; and any combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the composite material may be selected from the group consisting of coal, bituminous sand, carbonaceous shale, and any mixture thereof.

In some embodiments, the ite material may be contacted with the oxidant in the superheated water within a reactor, wherein the ite material, oxidant, and superheated water are maintained in a non-gaseous phase to inhibit the formation ofa head space within the reactor.

In some embodiments, the process may further include chilling the aqueous mixture to a temperature of about 20° C.

Additional objectives, advantages and novel features will be set forth in the description that follows or will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the gs and detailed description which s.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The ing figures illustrate various aspects for a process of producing organic materials using an oxidative hydrothermal ution process. is a schematic of an oxidative hydrothermal dissolution (OHD) process; WO 67252 is a schematic illustration of a semi-continuous micro reactor system used for testing and evaluation of the OHD process; is a schematic illustration of a continuous micro reactor system used for testing and evaluation of the OHD process; is a graph ing the carbon remaining after the processing of bituminous sand using three methods of carbon removal; are photographs of bituminous sand samples before and after processing using three methods of carbon removal; is a graph summarizing results of a GC-MS analysis of organic products removed from nous sand using an OHD method and solvent extraction of the OHD liquor using methylene chloride; is a graph summarizing results of a GC-MS is of organic products removed from bituminous sand using an OHD method and solvent extraction of the OHD liquor using ethyl acetate; is a graph izing results ofa GC-MS analysis of organic products removed from bituminous sand using an OHD method and evaporative stripping of water from the OHD liquor; is a graph summarizing results ofa GC-MS analysis of organic products removed from bituminous sand using solvent extraction with methylene chloride; is a graph summarizing results of a GC-MS analysis of organic products removed from bituminous sand using sis; is a total ion chromatogram illustrating the distribution of products ed by Py-GC-MS is of organic products removed from Illinois coal using an OHD method; is a multi-ion chromatogram illustrating the distribution of major tic products observed by Py-GC-MS analysis of organic products removed from Illinois coal using an OHD ; is a multi-ion chromatogram illustrating the distribution of benzoic acid and mono methoxy benzoic acids observed by Py-GC-MS analysis of organic products d from Illinois coal using an OHD method; is a single ion chromatogram illustrating the distribution of benzene dicarboxyIic acids observed by Py—GC-MS analysis of organic products d from Illinois coal using an OHD method; is a multi-ion chromatogram rating the distribution of thiopene ylates and dicarboxylates observed by Py—GC-MS analysis of organic products removed from is coaI using an OHD method; is a single ion chromatogram illustrating the distribution of dimethoxy benzenes and dimethoxy benzoic acids observed by Py—GC-MS analysis of organic products removed from is coaI using an OHD method; is a single ion chromatogram illustrating the bution of benzene tricarboxylic acids observed by Py-GC-MS analysis of organic products removed from Illinois coal using an OHD method; is a single ion chromatogram illustrating the distribution of dimethoxy benzene dicarboxylic acids observed by Py-GC-MS analysis of organic products d from Illinois coaI using an OHD method; is a multi-ion chromatogram illustrating the distribution of monomethoxy benzene dicarboxylic acids and unidentified analogs observed by Py- GC-MS analysis of organic products removed from Illinois coaI using an OHD method; is a single ion chromatogram rating the distribution of benzene tetra carboxylic acids ed by Py-GC-MS analysis of organic products removed from Illinois coal using an OHD method; is a multi-ion chromatogram illustrating the distribution of trimethoxy benzenes and furan dicarboxylic acids observed by Py-GC-MS analysis of organic products removed from is coaI using an OHD method; is a total ion chromatogram rating the distribution of products observed by Py-GC-MS analysis of organic products removed from soft wood (conifer) Iignin using an OHD method; is a total ion chromatogram rating the distribution of products observed by Py-GC-MS analysis of c products removed from bamboo using an OHD method; is a total ion chromatogram rating the distribution of products observed by Py-GC-MS analysis of c products removed from carbonaceous shale using an OHD method; is a total ion chromatogram illustrating the bution of products observed by Py-GC-MS analysis of organic products removed from sugar cane bagasse using an OHD method; is a graph summarizing results of a GC-MS analysis of organic products removed from bituminous sand using an OHD method and evaporative stripping of water from the OHD liquor; is a graph summarizing results of a GC-MS analysis of c products removed from bituminous sand using an OHD method and t tion of the OHD liquor using ethyl acetate; is a graph summarizing results of a GC-MS analysis of organic products removed from bituminous sand using pyrolysis; is a graph summarizing results of a GC-MS analysis of organic products removed from bituminous sand using an OHD method and evaporative stripping of water from the OHD liquor; is a graph summarizing results of a GC-MS analysis of c products removed from bituminous sand using an OHD method and solvent extraction of the OHD liquor using ethyl e; and is a graph summarizing s of a GC-MS analysis of organic products removed from bituminous sand using pyrolysis.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding elements among the various views of the drawings. The headings used in the figures should not be reted to limit the scope of the .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The invention relates generally to methods of producing water- soluble ts from organic solids using an oxidative hydrothermal dissolution (OHD) method. Certain aspects of the OHD method are described in detail in PCT Application Number 10/23886, which is hereby incorporated in its entirety herein.

As described , the term “biomass” may include, but not limited to, materials containing cellulose, hemicellulose, Iignin, protein and carbohydrates such as starches and sugars, trees, shrubs and grasses, corn, and corn husks, municipal solid waste including materials related to waste that is normally disposed of by occupants of residential dwelling units, commercial ishments and industry, biomass high in , including starch, sugar or protein such as corn, , fruits and vegetables, branches, bushes, canes, energy crops, forests, fruits, flowers, grains, grasses, herbaceous crops, leaves, bark, needles, logs, roots, saplings, short rotation woody crops, shrubs, switch grasses, 2012/040746 trees, vegetables, vines, hard and soft woods, organic waste materials ted from agricultural processes including framing and forestry activities such as forestry wood waste, virgin biomass and/or non-virgin biomass including agricultural biomass, commercial organics, construction and demolition debris, paper, cardboard, scrap wood, saw dust, and plastics.

As used herein, the term “aqueous mixture” shall mean a homogeneous mixture of one or more substances (solutes) dispersed molecularly in a sufficient quantity of dissolving medium (solvent).

As used herein, the term “composite material” shall mean a combination of two or more constituent materials of different physical or chemical properties which remain separate and distinct in the final structure. For example, the composite material may include an organic solid and an inorganic matrix. /. ive Hydrothermal Dissolution The OHD method includes ting an organic solid with an oxidant in a reactor containing superheated water to form at least one lized organic solute. The reaction breaks down the macromolecular structure of the organic solid, which would ise not be soluble in water, into lower molecular weight fragments. These lower molecular weight fragments are e in water.

These water-soluble fragments are referred to as ved organic solids, solubilized organics, or solubilized c solutes. The solubilized fragments can then be used as raw materials for various al processes or as liquid fuels. In one , if the solubilized fragments are dissolved carbohydrates such as low molecular weight sugars or oxidized low lar weight sugars, the dissolved carbohydrates may be ted to produce alcohols or used in other processes to produce a variety of other products.

Non-limiting examples of organic solids suitable for processing using the OHD method include coal, bituminous sand, lignite, kerogen, biomass, and solid organic wastes. Biomass, as d herein, refers to biological material derived from living organisms and includes, for example, based materials such as wood, grasses, and grains. For example, a solid organic waste may be waste plastics. Coal, for example, has a complex, high molecular weight macromolecular structure made up of numerous cross-linked aromatic and aliphatic ructures. It is believed that coal is insoluble in water primarily because of the extent of cross- linking present between different parts of this structure. Disruption of cross-linking WO 67252 structural elements in organic solids breaks the structure into smaller sub-structural units. For example, coal may be converted into a new product with ed physical properties using OHD methods. In addition, the OHD method may be used to convert biomass into soluble organics. For example, biomass containing cellulose, hemicellulose, and/or lignins may be converted into dissolved low molecular weight sugars or oxidized low molecular weight sugars, and other products.

The oxidant can be any t capable of oxidizing the organic solid, including but not limited to molecular oxygen (02). The use of molecular oxygen as an oxidant avoids the use of exotic oxidants, such as permanganates, chromate oxides, or organic peroxides that may be harmful to the environment or ive.

The molecular oxygen may be supplied by any known method of supplying, producing, or separating molecular oxygen from any known mixture in any form.

Non-limiting examples of methods of obtaining a supply of molecular oxygen include: in situ decomposition of hydrogen peroxide; fractional lation of liquefied air; electrolysis of water; transfer from a stored oxygen supply; membrane separation from air; and any combination thereof. Non-limiting examples of le stored oxygen supplies include pressurized oxygen tanks. The addition of the oxidant to the superheated water increases the rate of conversion and the overall percent conversion of the organic solid to solubilized products.

The reaction media in the OHD method may be superheated water having a temperature from about 100 °C to about 374 °C. In other embodiments, the superheated water may have a temperature ranging from about 200 °C to about 350 The re in the r may be specified to be sufficient to maintain the water in a liquid state (without water loss into a gas phase). The pressure may range from about 100 kPa (kiloPascaI) to about 22 MPa ascaI) in one embodiment. In other embodiments, the pressure may range from about 1.5 MPa to about 17 MPa, and from about 12 MPa to about 16 MPa. The terms “hydrothermal water” and heated water” may be used interchangeably throughout the specification.

Without being limited to any particular theory, it is believed that the oxidation on is a surface reaction of the oxidant and the organic solid surface.

Therefore, maintaining a sufficiently high surface-area-to-volume ratio of the organic solid may enhance the rate of the on. The organic solid may have a small particle size to e greater surface area per volume for the reaction. However, WO 67252 the organic solid may be any size without impeding the progression of the reaction.

The on may begin at the surface of the organic solid and etches away the surface until the solid is dissolved or until the reaction is halted.

The OHD method may also include the addition of other components to the reaction, including but not limited to pH modifiers, catalysts, onal solvents, and any combination thereof. It is contemplated that these additives may promote the ion of particular desired products or minimize the formation of undesired products.

The process may optionally further include chilling the solubilized organic solute. One advantage of chilling the solubilized organic solute may be to prevent further oxidation of the solubilized organic solute. The solubilized organic solute may be chilled to room ature or approximately 20 °C. However, further processing, such as distillation, ation, or further reaction of the dissolved organics, may not require cooling, and chilling may not be desirable. is a schematic diagram of the OHD s 100. An organic solid may be loaded into a reactor 200. The reactor 200 may be an up-flow reactor with no gaseous head space to enhance the ency of the OHD method.

Superheated water may be introduced into the reactor 200 through a port 102 until bration is reached. An oxidant, for example, molecular oxygen, may be introduced into the reactor 200 through a port 104. lar oxygen may be supplied directly from a storage tank, ted from the surrounding air, or molecular oxygen may be generated by a chemical process such as the thermal decomposition of hydrogen peroxide prior to addition to the r 200. A port 106 may be used to introduce any other components added to the reaction, including, but not limited to, pH modifiers, sts, or organic solvents. The solubilized organic solute resulting from the organic solid exits the reactor 200 from a port 108 and may optionally enter a chiller 300. The cooled effluent from a port 110 may be monitored for the presence of solubilized organic solute or may be collected for r processing or analysis. Non-limiting examples of suitable analysis techniques for the cooled effluent include iode array detection (PDA), GC-MS, and any ation thereof. The OHD process may be conducted as a batch, semi- continuous, or continuous process.

The raw product (OHD liquor) derived from the processing of organic matter using OHD methods may be an aqueous solution of dissolved organic products. In some aspects, depending on the particular c matter processed WO 67252 2012/040746 and OHD process conditions, the OHD liquor may be a clear solution and does not contain suspended colloidal solids. In other aspects, the OHD liquor may include suspended particles. miting examples of suspended particles include inorganic particles such as inorganic matrix, unreacted organic solids, and any combination thereof. For e, if OHD process conditions do not result in the complete conversion of organic solids into solubilized organic solids, the OHD liquor may include suspended les of unreacted organic solid; in this example, the OHD process may include too low of an oxidant concentration and/or too brief of a reaction time.

Without being d to any particular , the formation of the OHD liquor t is not the result of simple hydrolysis. Based on previous observations (not shown herein) tion of the dissolved product is directly related to the delivery of 02 and the response of the reactor to delivery of the oxidant is rapid.

The OHD methods may be applied to a wide range of organic materials, including, but not limited to, coal, carbonaceous shales, organic-rich carbonate rocks, bituminous sands, lignocellulosic and other biomass as described herein above, lignite, bituminous coal, anthracite and wood charcoal. Complete conversion of organic materials to soluble products may be readily achieved using the OHD method, although rates of reaction may vary considerably. on rate may depend on particle size, reaction temperature, oxidant loading and flow rate/contact time, as well as varying the choice of organic material used as the initial substrate. Typically, the reaction proceeds in a matter of minutes for the complete dissolution of nous coal particles having a particle size ranging from about 60 mesh to 20 mesh. In general, low rank materials react faster than high rank materials, mably due to the more polycondensed nature of the high rank materials), and ls react in order of structure (fastest to slowest): liptinite>vitrinite> inertinite.

The OHD method likely works by oxidative ge of labile structures, resulting in the disruption of the overall macromolecular structure. As low molecular weight products are produced, they are dissolved into the reaction medium (water), which at hydrothermal conditions functions as an excellent solvent for most organic compounds. The dissolved organics are separated from residual solid, thereby exposing fresh substrate surface for subsequent reaction with additional t. Rapid removal of the water and separation of the produced organic solute or quenching prevents over-oxidation of the dissolved organic nds in the OHD liquor product.

For most raw solid organic matter, from about 70% to 100% of the initial carbon is recovered as solubilized products at optimal on ions.

Minor s of gaseous products (CO and C02) may also be generated. Typically, no s N or S oxides are generated. Inorganic N and S are retained in the aqueous phase as sulfate and nitrate, respectively. Organic 8 is at least partially ed as e organo-sulfur nds in the OHD liquor product.

Characterization of the solubilized products indicates that the OHD liquor product typically consists of moderately complex mixtures of low molecular weight organics. For bituminous coal, these consist predominantly of: (i) aliphatic carboxylic acids and diacids from C1 to about C20; and (ii) romatic carboxylic acids, ids and s, including methoxylated analogs. In many cases acetic acid is the single most abundant product obtained and may account for up to about % of the raw product, depending on the initial ock processed using the OHD method. In an embodiment, one or more specific organic nds may be isolated or purified from the OHD liquor product using any known method of refining such as fractional distilling and others.

OHD products derived from biomass tend to be simpler mixtures of organic compounds compared to OHD products derived from coals. Non-limiting examples of OHD products derived from biomass include mixtures of low molecular weight sugars including glucose, fructose, galactose, sucrose, maltose, lactose, oxidized low molecular weight sugars, and any combination thereof. Non-limiting examples of oxidized low molecular weight sugars include keto, aldo, and carboxy derivatives of any of the low molecular weight sugars described herein above.

Without being limited to any particular theory, cellulose, hemicellulose, and other macromolecular carbohydrates may be broken down by the OHD process via hydrolysis and oxidative cleavage to produce these. Other specific mixtures of organic compounds contained in the OHD liquor products derived from various organic materials in other aspects are illustrated herein below in the Examples. ll. Oxidative Hydrothermal Dissolution Devices An embodiment of a ontinuous flow OHD device is illustrated schematically in An organic solid may be loaded into a reactor 6 and superheated water and an oxidant may be introduced into the reactor 6 by pumps 1 and 2. If the oxidant is derived from hydrogen peroxide, hydrogen peroxide may be decomposed in a heater 3, and the resulting lar oxygen and superheated water may enter the reactor via ports 4 and 5 respectively. onal components or water may be introduced into the reactor 6 via a port 7. A reaction between the organic solid and the oxidant takes place in the reactor 6 and generates a solubilized organic solute, which leaves the reactor 6 and optionally enters a chiller 8. Effluent may collected in a vessel 9, and data are collected by a detector 10.

An ment ofa continuous flow OHD device is illustrated schematically in An c solid such as coal, bituminous sand, or carbonaceous shale, in which the inorganic component of the shale may comprise minerals including but not limited to silicates or carbonates, may be used as a feedstock to the OHD device. The feedstock may be pulverized in a mill 302 and ed with water to form a slurry in a slurry generator 304. The mill 302 and the slurry generator 304 may be combined into a single operation by a process such as wet milling. The slurry may then be pumped into a reactor 306 by a slurry pump 308.

The slurry may be heated before entering the reactor 306 using a preheater 320. An t, such as molecular , and superheated water may be introduced into the reactor 306 by a pump 310. If the molecular oxygen is derived from hydrogen peroxide, the hydrogen peroxide may be osed in a heater 312 and molecular oxygen and superheated water may then enter the reactor 306. A reaction between the c solid and the oxidant may take place in the reactor 306 and generate a solubilized organic solute. The solubilized organic solute may exit the r 306 and may optionally enter a chiller 314. Back pressure may be controlled by a back- pressure regulator 316. Effluent may be collected in a vessel 318. Wiring and control details have been omitted, but are implicit in the design of the reactor system. This system may be operated continuously, and the temperature and flow rate of reactants may be controlled automatically by a computer 322 or other data processing device.

Ill. Extraction of Petroleum Materials from Bituminous Sands or Oil Shales Using OHD Methods The OHD methods described above herein may be used to r petroleum materials from bituminous sands or oil shales in other embodiments. The particular device, ing systems, and nts used to recover the petroleum materials in this embodiment may vary depending on the nature and location of the deposit in which the bituminous sands or oil shales occur and d petroleum materials to be extracted.

Large bituminous sand deposits occur in l ons, but two predominant known reserves are the Athabasca Oil Sands in Alberta, Canada and the Orinoco oil sands (Venezuela). Between them, the Canadian and Venezuelan deposits contain about 3.6 trillion barrels (57O><1O9 m3) of recoverable oil, compared to 1.75 trillion barrels (28O><1O9 m3) of conventional oil worldwide. These oil sand deposits may include as much as two-thirds of total remaining global recoverable petroleum resources. In addition to recovering the petroleum materials from bituminous sands, the OHD methods may also be used in the context of environmental remediation, including but not limited to the cleanup of oily sand resulting from an oil spill from an oil tanker or other ocean , an oil production facility, or an oil refinement facility.

Specific examples of the recovery of petroleum products using OHD s are described in the es provided herein below.

///. Production ofAromatic Acids, Phenols, and Aliphatic Acids Using OHD Methods The OHD methods bed above herein may be used to produce useful raw materials and other organic compounds for the chemical ry, including but not limited to aromatic acids, phenols, and aliphatic acids. The particular device, ing s, and nts used to produce the raw materials and other organic compounds may vary depending on the particular organic solid materials from which the feedstocks to the OHD device are produced, as well as the desired organic compound products to be produced using the OHD method. Non-limiting examples of c matter suitable for use as a feedstock in the OHD method in this embodiment include coal, carbonaceous shales, organic-rich carbonate rocks, bituminous sands, lignocellulosic biomass, lignite, bituminous coal, anthracite, wood charcoal, and kerogen. “Kerogen”, as used herein, refers to a mixture of organic chemical compounds that make up a portion of the organic matter in sedimentary rocks, including but not limited to oil shale.

Table 1 is a listing of non-limiting examples of organic compounds that may be produced using the OHD method described herein above.

TABLE 1: ORGANIC COMPOUNDS PRODUCED USING OHD METHODS W0 2012/167252 PCT/U82012/040746 Compound Chemical Structure Compound Chemical Structure 1 COZH 4 COZH p-hydroxyl Benzene benzoic acid tricarboxylic and related acids and ylated various and isomers methoxylated R1 R2 \\‘R3 2 COzH 5 COzH Benzene Benzene dicarboxylic tetracarboxylic acids, / acids and / s COzH........fl--COZH . d : COZH Ivarious Isomers, an Isomers related \ \\ hydroxylated COZH and /0 methoxylated R3 analogs 3 6 Aliphatic O Aliphatic COzH COzH keto-acids dicarboxylic \M/ COZH acids n 7 COzH p-coumaric acid and d / hydroxylated methoxylated analogs R1 R2 Note: R1 = H or OH or OCH3, R2 = H or OH, or OCH3, R3 = H or CH3, and n is an integer between 1 and about 30 or more.

In order to be of value on a large scale, the organic compounds obtained from the OHD methods may be recoverable in high yield. The yields of the OHD processing may be measured by assessing the removal of cs from an inorganic matrix, especially in those cases in which bituminous sand is processed using the OHD method. For OHD feedstocks comprising a significant amount of nic phase, such as bituminous sands or carbonaceous shales, the yield of OHD processing may be measured as the residual carbon retained in the inorganic phase after OHD processing or as the overall mass loss resulting from high- temperature ashing or combustion after OHD processing. Low amounts of al carbon remaining in the inorganic matrix may be desirable, because this indicates that most or all of the nous material has been removed from the inorganic matrix resulting in “cleaner” sand or other inorganic matrix that may be returned to the environment. In addition, potentially more of the bituminous product may be recovered for refining into c compounds.

Another method of assessing the yield of organic compounds after OHD processing may include measuring the amount of carbon contained within the aqueous phase or OHD liquor resulting from the processing of the organic matter in the r in an OHD process. The yield may be quantified as the % of the initial carbon contained in the organic matter that is recovered as dissolved product in the aqueous phase or OHD liquor. High yields of carbon in the dissolved product may be ble, because this indicates that the aqueous phase contains a large proportion of the original bituminous material that may be recovered and refined into organic compounds. Carbon not recovered and not retained in the inorganic e may be lost as gaseous products. lly in OHD ses the gaseous products may e CO with some C02. CO may be recovered as a useful by-product, but typically minimal gas production is ble.

Specific examples of useful raw als and other c compounds produced using the OHD method to break down organic matter such as coal, lignocellulosic biomass, and kerogen are provided herein below in the Examples.

EXAMPLES Example 1: OHD Processing of Canadian Athabasca Oil Sands A bituminous sand sample of Athabasca oil sand was processed using the OHD method described herein above. For comparative proposes, to te the relative efficacy of OHD for separation and recovery of organic materials from the inorganic matrix, the raw sand was compared with products produced by hot water extraction (to approximately simulate current extraction technologies, exhaustive laboratory extraction with organic solvents, and OHD. Both soluble and ble products were recovered after processing by each method and analyzed. Insoluble products were analyzed for carbon content and high ature ash yield, to determine the ency of removal of the organic bitumen.

Soluble products were red and analyzed to investigate the nature of the organic materials recovered by each method.

Table 2 summarizes the analysis of the insoluble products for each processing method. is a bar graph summarizing the percentage of carbon remaining in the nous sand s after ent with the various methods to remove the nous materials from the inorganic sand matrix. These data illustrate that about 86% of the carbon lly present in the bituminous sand was removed by OHD processing, compared with 23% removed with superheated water alone and 69% removed by exhaustive laboratory extraction with organic solvent (CHZCIZ).

TABLE 2: ANALYSIS OF INSOLUBLE PRODUCTS Raw Superheated Exhaustive OHD Bituminous water Laboratory processed sand extraction extraction with organic solvent % Residual after NA 91 89.4 88.8 processing High temperature 86.3 92.5 94.9 95.6 Ash (Wt %) C (Wt %) 5.03 3.89 1.52 0.71 H (Wt %) 0.67 0.56 <0.5 <0.5 N (Wt %) <0.5 <0.5 <0.5 <0.5 is a series of photographs of the bituminous sand samples before and after treatment with the various methods to remove the bituminous materials from the inorganic sand matrix samples. The residue derived from OHD processing is lowing, clean sand.

To evaluate the nature of the product obtained by OHD from this type of raw feedstock, bituminous product ed from Athabasca bituminous sand was recovered and analyzed by GC-MS analysis using pyrolytic injection and in-situ methylation with tetramethyl ammonium hydroxide. These data were compared with data for the raw tar sand, from which the organic matter was simply distilled by flash pyrolysis.

Organic product was red from the y OHD liquor resulting from the treatment of the bituminous sand by three techniques and the results of GC-MS is of the organic products was compared: (i) evaporative stripping (where water is removed from the product by lation) (ii) solvent tion with ethyl acetate and (iii) solvent extraction with ene chloride (CH2CI2). The GC-MS analysis data are summarized in FIGS. 6-10.

Data for the raw tar sands, shown in are typical for this type of analysis of heavy oil and bitumen. The three OHD products, shown in FIGS. 6-8 indicate that the carbon content of the OHD liquor samples is comparable less of the method of extraction. r, the carbon content of all OHD liquor samples (FIGS. 6-8) are consistent with the distillate of the raw tar sands, shown in except that the OHD products contain discrete series of carboxylic acids and diacids that are much less nt in the product from the distillate of the raw tar sands.

This is expected due to the oxidative nature of the OHD process and does not significantly affect the usefulness of the derived “oil”.

Example 2: OHD Processing of Canadian Athabasca Oil Sands A bituminous sand sample of Athabasca oi| sand was sed using the OHD method described herein above. The soluble products were recovered and analyzed using methods similar to those described in Example 1.

The results of the GC-MS analysis of the recovered organic products are summarized in FIGS. 26-28. The gas chromatographic mass spectrometric analysis of the raw bituminous sand are presented in as the t of volatiles generated by flash distillation (i.e. Py-GC-MS) and OHD derived oils isolated by evaporative water removal () and extraction of OHD liquor with ethyl acetate ().

Example 3: OHD Processing of Utah Sunnyside Oil Sands A bituminous sand sample of Utah Sunnyside oi| sand was processed using the OHD method described herein above. The soluble products were recovered and analyzed using methods similar to those described in Example The s of the GC-MS analysis of the recovered c products are summarized in FIGS. 29-31. The gas chromatographic mass spectrometric analysis of the raw bituminous sand are presented in as the content of volatiles generated by flash distillation (i.e. Py-GC-MS) and OHD derived oils isolated by evaporative water removal () and extraction of OHD liquor with ethyl acetate ().

Example 4: Organic Compounds ed by OHD Processing of Illinois Coal A sample of Illinois coal was processed using the OHD method described herein above. The soluble products were red and ed using methods similar to those described in Example 1. A total ion togram summarizing the results of the GC-MS analysis of OHD liquor derived from the Illinois coal is ed in . The OHD liquor was pyrolyzed at a temperature of about 480° for about 10 seconds. Tetramethyl ammonium hydroxide was added to the OHD liquor for in situ derivatization of acidic oxygen-containing functional groups (phenol + carboxylate). A key g the specific compounds associated with specific peaks is shown in Table 3: TABLE 3: Specific Organic Compounds in OHD Liquor from Illinois Coal ID Compound Detailed Chromatogram Figure Number A 1,4-butenedioic acid 12 B 1,4-butanedioic acid 12 C 2-methyl butanedioic acid 12 D 13 E 15 F 15 G 12 H 16 I 16 J 16 K 12 L 21 M 21 N 2-methoxy benzoic acid 13 O 1,7-heptanedioic acid 12 P 3-methoxy benzoic acid 13 Q Furan-2,5-dicarboxylic acid 21 R 1,2,4-trimethoxybenzene 21 WO 67252 Chromatogram Fioure Number 8 13 T 12 U 21 V 14 W 15 X 14 Y 14 Z thiophene-2,5-dicarboxy|ic acid 15 AA methoxy benzoic acid 16 BB 3,4-dimethoxy benzoic acid 16 CC methoxy benzene dicarboxylic acid (isomer undetermined) 19 CC methoxy benzene dicarboxylic acid (isomer undetermined) 19 DD 3,4,5-trimethoxy benzoic acid None EE C14 Fatt acid meth I ester 12 CC 19 CC 19 FF None 66 17 HH 17 rmined undetermined JJ 17 || dimethoxy benzene dicarboxylic acid (isomer 18 undetermined) KK C16 Fatty acid (methyl ester) 12 LL Unknown (analog of X ?) 19 LL Unknown g of X ?) 19 LL Unknown anaIOo 19 MM Benzene tetracarbox |ic acid isomer undetermined 20 NN C18 Fatt acid meth lester 12 EE e tetracarbox |ic acid isomer undetermined 20 MM Benzene tetracarbox |ic acid isomer undetermined 20 00 Unknown None FIGS. 12-21 are single and multi-ion chromatograms ted from the total ion chromatogram of , illustrating the observed distributions of products of specific structural families. is a multi-ion chromatogram (m/z=74+85+87+127) illustrating the distribution of major aliphatic products. is a ion chromatogram (m/z=105+135) illustrating the distribution of benzoic acid and mono methoxy benzoic acids. is a single ion chromatogram (m/z=163) illustrating the distribution of benzene dicarboxylic acids. is a multi-ion chromatogram (m/z=1 1 1 +200) illustrating the distribution of thiophene carboxyIates and dicarboxylates. is a single ion togram (m/z=138) illustrating the distribution of dimethoxy benzenes and dimethoxy benzoic acids. is a single ion chromatogram (m/z=221) illustrating the distribution of benzene tricarboxylic acids. is a single ion chromatogram 23) illustrating the distribution of dimethoxy benzene dicarboxylic acids. is a ion chromatogram (m/z=193+251) illustrating the distribution of monomethoxy benzene oxylic acids and unidentified analogs. is a single ion togram (m/z=279) illustrating the distribution of benzene tetra carboxylic acids. is a multi-ion togram (m/z=168+184) illustrating the distribution of trimethoxy benzenes and furan dicarboxylic acids.

Examgle 5: Organic nds Produced by OHD Processing of Lignins A sample of soft wood (conifer) Iignin was processed using the OHD method described herein above. A second sample of Iignin-rich grass (bamboo) was also processed using the OHD method described herein above. The soluble products were recovered and ed using methods similar to those described in Example 1. A total ion chromatogram izing the results of the GC-MS analysis of OHD liquor derived from the conifer Iignin is provided in .

A total ion togram summarizing the results of the GC-MS analysis of OHD liquor derived from the bamboo Iignin is provided in .

Example 6: Organic nds Produced by OHD Processing of Carbonaceous Shale A sample of carbonaceous shale was processed using the OHD method described herein above. The soluble products were recovered and analyzed using methods similar to those described in Example 1. A total ion chromatogram summarizing the results of the GC-MS analysis of OHD liquor derived from the carbonaceous shale is provided in . Tetramethyl ammonium hydroxide was added to the OHD liquor for in situ derivatization of acidic oxygen-containing functional groups (phenol + carboxyIate). A key g the specific compounds associated with specific peaks is shown in Table 4: 2012/040746 TABLE 4: Specific Organic Compounds in OHD Liquor from Carbonaceous Shale ID Compound 1 Pentanoic acid methyl ester 2 Hexenoic acid methyl ester 3 Hexanoic acid methyl ester LOG)\IO30‘I-l> Methoxy Benzene Heptanoic acid methyl ester Hepteneoic acid methyl ester 4-0xo-pentanoic acid methyl ester Butanedioic acid methyl ester (succinic acid di methyl ester) Octanoic acid methyl ester Benzoic acid methyl ester 11 Phenol 12 2-Methoxy phenol col) 13 5-Oxo-hexanoic acid methyl ester 14 1,2-Dimethoxy benzene + edioic acid dimethyl ester 1,4-Dimethoxy benzene 16 Nonanoic acid methyl ester 17 2 Hydroxy benzoic acid methyl ester 18 Hexanedioic acid dimethyl ester + 6-Oxo Heptanoic acid methyl ester 19 ic acid methyl ester n 21 4-Methoxy benzaldehyde 22 3-Methoxy benzoic acid methyl ester 23 Heptanedioic acid dimethyl ester 24 7-Oxo Octanoic acid methyl ester 2-Methoxy benzoic acid methyl ester 26 4-Methoxy benzoic acid methyl ester 27 4-Methoxy acetophenone 28 Octanedioic acid dimethyl ester 29 8-Oxo nonanoic acid methyl ester nzene dicarboxylic acid dimethyl ester 31 dioic acid dimethyl ester 32 9-Oxo decanoic acid methyl ester 33 3-Hydroxy benzoic acid methyl ester 34 3,4-Dimethoxy benzoic acid methyl ester Decanedioic acid dimethyl ester 36 10-Oxo undecanoic acid methyl ester 37 2-Hydroxy-1,4-benzene dicarboxylic acid dimethyl ester 38 4-Hydroxy c acid methyl ester 39 Unknown dicarboxylic acid 40 Undecanedioic acid dimethyl ester 41 Unknown 42 Unknown Oxo terpenoid 43 Hexdecanoic acid methyl ester + dodecanoic diacid dimethyl ester 44 Tridecanedioic acid dimethyl ester 45 1,3,5 benzene tricarboxylic acid trimethyl ester 46 Octadecanoic acid methyl ester ID Compound 47 Octadecanoic acid butyl ester Example 7: Organic Compounds Produced by OHD Processing of Sugar Cane Bagasse A sample of sugar cane bagasse was sed using the OHD method described herein above. The soluble products were recovered and analyzed using methods similar to those described in Example 1. A total ion chromatogram izing the results of the GC-MS analysis of OHD liquor derived from the sugar cane bagasse is provided in . Tetramethyl ammonium hydroxide was added to the OHD liquor for in situ derivatization of acidic oxygen-containing functional groups l + carboxylate). A key listing the specific compounds associated with specific peaks is shown in Table 5: TABLE 5: Specific c nds in OHD Liquorfrom Sugar Cane Bagasse —(JON—\U Compound y acetic acid Methox acetic acid Methyoxy benzene OLOOONCDO‘I-h Furan ylic acid methyl ester (isomer unknown) Unknown Succinic acid Benzoic acid Pentane dioic acid 1,4-dirnethoxy benzene A Phen lacetic acid 11 2-H drox c acid + unknown 12 Hexane dioic acid 13 4-Methox benzaldeh de 14 Heptane dioic acid + 3 methox benzoic acid Unknown 16 4 methox benzoic acid 17 Octane dioic acid 18 Terephthalic acid 19 Nonane dioic acid 3,4-dimethox benzaldeh de 21 3,4-dimethox benzoic acid 22 Tetradecanoic acid 23 C15 carboxylic acid (unknown isomer) 24 3,4,5-trimethoxy benzoic acid Hexadecanolic acid 26 Octadecenoic acid (unknown double bond isomer) 27 Octadecanoic acid 28 Eicosanoic acid ID Compound 29 Unknown fatt acid It should be understood from the foregoing that, while particular embodiments have been illustrated and described, various modifications can be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications are within the scope and ngs of this ion as defined in the claims appended hereto.

Claims (17)

1. A process for solubilizing an organic solid contained within a ite material comprising an organic solid and an inorganic matrix, the process comprising: contacting the composite material with an oxidant in superheated water to form an s mixture comprising at least one lized organic solute, wherein the composite material is contacted with the oxidant in the superheated water within a reactor, wherein the composite material, oxidant, and superheated water are maintained in a nongaseous phase to inhibit the formation of a head space within the reactor, and wherein the composite material is not coal.

2. The process of claim 1, wherein the oxidant is molecular oxygen (O2).

3. The process of claim 2, wherein the molecular oxygen is supplied by any method ed from the group consisting of: in situ decomposition of hydrogen peroxide; fractional distillation of liquefied air; electrolysis of water; transfer from a stored oxygen supply; membrane separation from air; and any combination thereof.

4. The process of claim 3, n the molecular oxygen is supplied by in situ decomposition of hydrogen de.

5. The process of claim 1 , wherein the composite material is ted with the oxidant in a superheated water at a temperature ranging from about 100° C to about 374° C.

6. The process of claim 5, wherein the composite material is contacted with the oxidant in superheated water at a temperature ranging from about 200° C to about 350° C.

7. The process of claim 1 , wherein the composite material is contacted with the oxidant in superheated water at a pressure ranging from about 100 kPa to about 22 MPa.

8. The process of claim 7, wherein the composite material is ted with the oxidant in eated water at a pressure ranging from about 1 .5 MPa to about 17 MPa.

9. The process of claim 8, wherein the composite al is contacted with the oxidant in eated water at a pressure ranging from about 12 MPa to about 16 MPa.

10. The process of claim 1, wherein the composite material is selected from the group consisting of bituminous sand, carbonaceous shale, and any mixture thereof.

11. The process of claim 1, wherein the organic solid is coal.

12. The process of claim 1, wherein the aqueous mixture comprises at least 50% of the organic solid from the composite material.

13. The process of claim 12, wherein the s mixture comprises at least 90% of the c solid from the composite material.

14. The process of claim 13, wherein the aqueous mixture comprises at least 95% of the organic solid from the composite material.

15. The process of claim 1, further comprising: izing the composite material; and combining the pulverized composite material with water to form a slurry prior to contacting the composite material with the oxidant in the superheated water.

16. The process of claim 15, wherein the pulverized composite material has a particle size ranging from about 60 mesh to about 20 mesh.

17. The lized organic solute of the process of any preceding claim.