Hybrid fuel and method of making the same

Abstract

A hybrid fuel and methods of making the same are disclosed. A process for making a hybrid fuel includes the steps of combining a biofuel emulsion blend and a liquid fuel product to form a hybrid fuel. Optionally, the hybrid fuel can be combined with water in a water-in-oil process and include oxygenate additives and additive packages. A hybrid fuel includes blends of biofuel emulsions and liquid fuel products, including light gas diesel. Optionally, the hybrid fuel can include water, oxygenate additives, and other additive packages.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A hybrid fuel prepared from a process that comprises:
 introducing a first reactant to a reactor, wherein the first reactant comprises one or more light gases;   exposing the first reactant to non-thermal plasma under conditions sufficient to reform the first reactant to form syngas and to generate free radicals and energetic electrons;   introducing a first liquid feed fuel to the reactor; and   intimately contacting the reaction products from the exposure of the first reactant to non-thermal plasma with the first liquid feed fuel in the reactor to produce a modified liquid fuel.   
     
     
         2 . The hybrid fuel of  claim 1 , wherein the first reactant further comprises a second liquid fuel feed. 
     
     
         3 . A hybrid fuel comprising:
 a first fuel product; and   a second fuel product, wherein   the first fuel product comprises a biofuel emulsion; and   the second fuel product comprises a fuel prepared from one or more light gases combined with a liquid fuel feed; and wherein   the hybrid fuel comprises at least about 20% by weight of the first fuel product.   
     
     
         4 . The hybrid fuel of  claim 3 , wherein the hybrid fuel comprises about 20% by weight of the first fuel product and about 80% by weight of the second fuel product. 
     
     
         5 . The hybrid fuel of  claim 3 , wherein the hybrid fuel comprises up to about 20% water. 
     
     
         6 . The hybrid fuel of  claim 4 , wherein the pour point of the hybrid fuel is about −25° C. to about −35° C. 
     
     
         7 . The hybrid fuel of  claim 4 , wherein the pour point of the hybrid fuel is about 15° F. lower than the pour point of the second fuel product in isolation. 
     
     
         8 . The hybrid fuel of  claim 4 , wherein the hybrid fuel contains no more than about 5% polynuclear aromatic compounds. 
     
     
         9 . The hybrid fuel of  claim 4 , wherein the hybrid fuel contains no more than about 20% aromatics. 
     
     
         10 . The hybrid fuel of  claim 3 , wherein the second fuel product is a hybrid fuel produced from a process comprising:
 introducing a first reactant to a reactor, wherein the first reactant comprises one or more light gases;   exposing the first reactant to non-thermal plasma under conditions sufficient to generate syngas and free radicals;   introducing a first liquid feed fuel to the reactor; and   intimately contacting the syngas and the free radicals generated from the first reactant with the first liquid feed fuel in the reactor to produce a modified liquid fuel.   
     
     
         11 . The hybrid fuel of  claim 3 , wherein the first fuel product further includes a glycerol ether. 
     
     
         12 . A process for reforming light gas, the process comprising reforming one or more light gases in the presence of non-thermal plasma under conditions sufficient to generate the formation of free radicals. 
     
     
         13 . The process of  claim 12 , wherein the step of reforming one or more light gases is performed at a pressure of less than about 5 atm. 
     
     
         14 . The process of  claim 12 , wherein the process is conducted at a temperature from about 200° C. to about 500° C. 
     
     
         15 . The process of  claim 12 , wherein the reforming step is one or more of dry reforming, steam reforming, partial oxidation, and formation of methyl radicals. 
     
     
         16 . The process of  claim 12 , wherein the light gas is methane, natural gas, or a mixture thereof. 
     
     
         17 . A apparatus for the preparation of a hybrid fuel, comprising:
 a first inlet for introducing a first reactant, wherein the first reactant comprises one or more light gases;   electrodes in fluid connection with the inlet, wherein the electrodes are capable of producing an arc upon application of voltage and wherein the electrodes define a path for passage of the first reactant; a second inlet for introducing a first liquid feed fuel to the apparatus;   an exit zone in which the product of the reaction of the first reactant and the electrodes and the first liquid feed fuel comes into contact; and   an outlet in fluid connection with the exit zone.   
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the exit zone is interposed between and in fluid communication with the path defined by the electrodes and the second inlet. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , further comprising Helmholtz coils located in the exit zone. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , further comprising a catalyst located in the exit zone. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , further comprising heating coils capable of heating the contents of the apparatus to a specified temperature. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , further comprising a low work force cathode, thereby increasing electron flow and/or electron density. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein the low work force cathode includes thorium. 
     
     
         24 . A process for producing feedstock, the process comprising:
 supplying carbonaceous feedstock to a hydromethanation reactor;   reacting the carbonaceous feedstock in the presence of a catalyst and steam to produce a plurality of gases.   
     
     
         25 . The process of  claim 24 , wherein the carbonaceous feedstock is coal, biomass, petroleum coke, or a mixture thereof. 
     
     
         26 . The process of  claim 24 , wherein the catalyst is an alkali metal. 
     
     
         27 . The process of  claim 24 , wherein the reacting step is performed under elevated temperature, pressure, or both.